The Staples Motley girls basketball team, which finished their season with a record of 24 wins and six losses, held their annual awards banquet March 21.

Senior Nikki Pearson ended her Cardinal career by being awarded the Most Valuable Player award in the Mid State Conference. In addition, Pearson was named to the Associated Press girls All State Honorable Mention team

Coach Arden Beachy

felt the girls had a very

successful 2009-2010 season. “I thought the team played

hard at all times, both in practice and in games.

“Unlike other seasons we never had more than a one game losing streak. Our goal was to give ourselves a chance to play at state and we came very close to doing that.”

“I thought our senior leadership was excellent. This was a fun group to coach. This senior class took our program up to another level and now it is up to the younger kids to continue that.”

Seniors this year included Nikki Pearson, Caitlin Robinson, Jennifer Vasquez and Ashley Lisson.

Juniors included Kyla Anthony, Abby Smith and Clara Kiekbusch.

Sophomores we re Kelsey Rice, Bobbie Jo Mathe, Jenna Ziegler, Karlee Haglin, Katie Givans and Ting-Ya Wang.

Freshmen girls were Kelly Pearson, Jasmine McGillvray, Brooke Wolhowe, Maggie O’Keefe, and Logan Peterson.

Eighth graders included Jaelin Beachy, Mikayla Wing, Marilyn EagleTail, Mackenzie Holst, Kyann Nyhus, Kayla Schmeig, Emily Israelson and Kelsey Zetah

The Cardinal girls were 7-3 in the Mid State Conference, finishing second behind Pequot Lakes. They were the West Sub Section 6AA champs. They defeated Breckenridge, Long Prairie-Grey Eagle and Benson in the sub section action. They faced Sauk Centre in the section finals, losing their final game 58- 44.

At the girls’ banquet March 21, additional awards given out included:

All Mid State Conference: Nikki Pearson, Caitlin Robinson and Ashley Lisson

All conference honorable mention: Abby Smith and Bobbi Jo Mathe

All Section 6 AA team Nikki Pearson and Caitlin Robinson.

New Cardinal girls basketball career records included:

Most three point baskets in a game: seven by Caitlin Robinson and most three’s in a season 63, also by Robinson.

School records set this year by Pearson includemost assists in a year (168) and most career assists (377). Pearson is also second on all time steals list with 111 behind Jessica Beachy at 120.

Both Pearson and Robinson recorded their 1,000th point of their careers in their senior season. Pearson finished the season with 415 points this year, for a 13.8 points per game average, with Robinson close behind, 370 total points this season and 12.8 ppg.

The Cardinal team scored 1,723 points this year, while holding opponents to 1,290.

While saying goodbye to seniors who have played several years of varsity action, Coach Beachy is looking forward to the next few years. “Our Junior Varsity was 25-1 and our ninth grade ended with only two losses. Our outlook for the upcoming seasons is quite strong.

Beachy’s thanks went out to several people who have been involved, especially the girl’s for working hard all season. Also to:

o Assistant coaches Stacy Barthel, Sherri Nyhus and Darren Holst for all their help.

o The players’ parents.

o The fans, the Staples World and the Brainerd Dispatch,

o LHS trainer Natalie Linn, John Riewer for stepping in to help coach a game, alumnus Chelsea Einerwold, Lynn Peterson for his efforts with scheduling and off court details and

o Most importantly, Beachy said, “my family and wife Carrie for their support, encouragement and understanding.“

Other awards at the annual banquet included: Nikki Pearson winning most points award (415);) most rebounds (169), most assists 168; most pass deflections (103) and most blocked shots (25).

Caitlin Robinson was awarded awards for most forced turnovers (70);best three point percentage (34.8 percent) and best overall field goal percentage (41.2 percent)

Abby Smith received the team award for best free throw percentage (68.2 percent).