On Monday, March 17, the Kimball girls’ basketball team held their awards night and banquet at the Old Country Buffet in St. Cloud. The team reached many goals set at the beginning of the year. Besides winning a record 23 games, this group of players shared the Central Minnesota Conference title with Rockford. Both teams finished 13-1 in the conference, losing only to each other. The girls won the subsection south championship by defeating Ortonville, CGB and Hancock 45-41. They went on the win the Section 5A championship, beating Underwood 68-50, and became the first girls’ basketball team in Kimball history to reach the Minnesota State Girls’ Basketball Tournament. Along with the seasons success comes many awards and accolades. Team awards voted on by Kimball players and coaches Captain Tammy Kuechle was voted most valuable player, most valuable offense and team leader. Melanie Marquardt was named most valuable player and most valuable defense. Amelia Hentges was named most improved and received the Sixth Player Award. Erin Montonye was also named most improved. Captain Carla Henneman received the Hustle Award. Captain Jenny Kunkel also received the Hustle Award. Captains for the 2003-2004 season will be Melanie Marquardt and Amelia Hentges. Awards given by others Tammy Kuechle was selected to play in the Coaches Association Girls’ Basketball All-Star Games, to be played Friday and Saturday, June 27-28, at the Target Center. Kuechle was named Central Minnesota Conference Most Valuable Player along with Karlee Simonson of Rockford. She was also named to the AP honorable mention all-state team. Melanie Marquardt and Tammy Kuechle were named honorable mention all-state by the Coaches Association and named to the five-member St. Cloud Times All-Area Team. Jenny Kunkel was named honorable mention to that team. Kunkel, Kuechle and Marquardt were named to the KDUZ All-Area Team and Steve Christians shared the KDUZ Coach of the Year award with the head coach from Hutchinson. Kunkel, Kuechle and Marquardt were selected to the CMC First Team All-Conference Team. Carla Henneman and Amelia Hentges were named the CMC Second Team All-Conference Team. Carla Henneman was named to the Academic All-State Team with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.815. Henneman, Kuechle, Montonye, Jenna Stenger and Stephanie Roos were named to the CMC All-Academic Team. Kunkel, Kuechle and Henneman participated in the BBE Boosters All-Area Game. Kunkel, Kuechle and Marquardt were also named to the Lester Prairie Christmas Tournament All-Tournament Team. The vital statistics Statistically, Kimball averaged 65.1 points per game while giving up 44 points per game. The most points scored in a game was 76, which was achieved three times. The least points given up was 25 points against Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa. The girls had a 13-game winning streak to go along with a 10-game winning streak to start the season. The longest losing streak was one game. Individual leaders Tammy Kuechle, who set a school record with 507 points in the season. She also set a school record for rebounds with 362. Tammy shot 75.2 percent from the free-throw line and 58 percent from the field. She led TCI with an average of 22.8. Melanie Marquardt led the team with 156 assists and 141 steals. Other season highlights Some of the other highlights from this season include beating Eden Valley-Watkins twice, and winning for the first time ever at the EV-W gym. Three players reached the 1,000 career-point mark. Melanie Marquardt was the first to achieve this goal with a big win against Rockford. Tammy Kuechle came next against Maple Lake, followed by Jenny Kunkel against St. John’s Prep. The team also witnessed two players from opposing teams reach their 1,000 career-points. Mandy Wurm of Maple Lake reached the mark in the same game as Tammy Kuechle. Karlee Simonson of Rockford was the other player to reach 1,000 points in a game against Kimball. Tammy Kuechle also reached her 1,000 career-rebound mark at home against Parkers Prairie. Kuechle finished her high school career as Kimball girls’ basketball all-time lead scorer and rebounder. Saying goodbye Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. We have to say goodbye to five seniors this year. This particular group of girls had 64 career wins and finished the last two seasons undefeated at home with a 24-home-game winning streak. Because of their hard work and dedication they were able to come back from a six-win campaign in their freshman year to win 13 games sophomore year, 22 games junior year and 23 games this season. These seniors are a special group of students that I’ve enjoyed coaching over the past four years. They deserve all the success they’ve earned. I don’t think they have yet to realize how much of a positive impact they have had on this community and school. They made it easy for everybody to rally around and support them through the years. Not just because they are good basketball players but because they are all extremely likable individuals. All of you played hard, never gave up on your teammates, your coach or yourselves, maintaining respect and good sportsmanship throughout. You have made memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you to all the students, fans, parents and players who helped support us through the years. A special thanks to Mr. Haake for brining the band to the games; the girls really looked forward to the pep band playing at their games. Thanks also to Mr. Linn for making all the milestone posters. I know we kept you busy this year, but it made each night a special night for the individual players.
