Accolades cap stellar Cardinal girls? basketball season
Four members of the 2006 Onaway High School girls? basketball team were named to the Ski Valley Conference teams, and one was named all-state honorable mention in Class D.
Sophomore Danielle Cleaver was named to the SVC first team, freshman Allie Nave was named to the second team, and seniors Christy Kowalski and Connie Wegner both earned honorable mentions.
Nave also earned an honorable mention on the AP Class D all-state team. The honors came at the conclusion of one of the finest girls? basketball seasons in OHS history.
Onaway won a school-record 19 games, against only four losses, won its first conference title in 20 years, and won its first district championship in more than 30 years.
Those accomplishments came as a result of teamwork. No Cardinal averaged more than 8.3 points per game, but six Red Birds averaged at least 5.1.
Cleaver was a unanimous selection to the all-SVC first team. She averaged 8.1 points per game, tied for second on the squad, and led the Cards in rebounds (7.2 per game) and blocked shots.
?Danielle was consistent, game in and game out,? said coach Marty Mix. ?She was solid under the hoop, despite giving up size many nights. She?s quick and plays great pressure defense. She?s a player every coach would like to have.?
Nave is the first Cardinal in many years to make all-state in the sport. She, too, averaged 8.1 points per game, while leading the Cardinals in steals, averaging 3.6 per game.
?Allie was our biggest defensive threat, who guarded the quickest girl on the opposing team every night,? said Mix. ?She was our primary ball-handler, and her steals-to-turnovers ratio was almost 2-1. Like Danielle, she has a bright future.?
Kowalski, who Mix gave the team leadership award, led Onaway in scoring, at 8.3 points per game, and assists, at 3.5 per game, and three-pointers, with 25. She is the OHS career assist leader.
?Christy has been a mainstay for this program,? said Mix. ?She?s been on the varsity since the end of her freshman year. She?s always worked hard and has played a big role in the turnaround of this program.?
Wegner, a German exchange student, was a great surprise for Mix. She started 20 games for the Cards, averaging 5.1 points per game, while providing leadership and intensity.
?Connie provided great spark for this team,? said Mix. ?She was a great ball-handler from the forward position. She worked hard every day a
Kowalski and Wegner are among seven seniors who have played their final game at OHS, a group that also includes Ashlee Bishop, Tarci Amyotte, Bridget Bednark, Serena Green, and Nicole Hillis.
Cleaver and Nave are among five underclassmen who will return next year, a group that also includes Megan Murphy, Danielle Chapman, and Chelsea Enos.
They will be joined by some talented players from a 17-3 JV unit, including guard Hayley O?Meara, who averaged close to 16 points per game before joining the varsity for the post-season tournament.
The eighth grade squad went 8-2 this year, while the seventh grade team went 6-4. Though the seniors certainly will be missed, the future looks very bright for Mix and the Cardinal girls? basketball program.