The Kimball girls basketball team held their banquet concluding a season to remember for the Lady Cubs. The Cubs sported a final record of 23-6 (tied for most wins in aseason), finished second place in the Central MN Conference (11-3 record), took first place in the Kimball Holiday Tournament, earned a number-
one seed in the Sub-Section 5A playoffs, ended up taking second place in the 5A subsection tournament, and finished with a #17 state QRF ranking out of 150 teams in class A. Off the court these ladies shined in the classroom, as well as they earned Academic.
All State Honors as a team
Seniors and Captains Alexa Ruehle, Madison Hurrle, Caitlin O?ÄôBrien and Kate Loehrer need to be applauded for their commitment to the program during their high school careers as they will graduate and pass on the torch to the underclass players. Senior Madison Hurrle finished the season accumulating 1,099 career points, Kimball?Äôs first 1,000 point scorer since Melanie (Marquardt) Knaus, who graduated in 2004. Hurrle was the statistical team leader this season in points (371) and steals (80). The Cubs team leader in assists (77) and highest free throw percentage (65.6 percent) went to Senior Caitlin O?ÄôBrien. Team leader in Rebounding (231) was Junior Katie Merchant. The annual Hustle Award recipient was junior Abbey Schiefelbein. Senior Kate Loehrer earned the team Spirit Award, and the ?ÄúAnnie Oakley Sharpshooter?Äù Award went to Sophomore Ashley Schindele, who made 64 of 196 three-point baskets which broke the school single season record of threes made in a season (previously held by Taylor Schreiner). Madison Hurrle and Junior Kenzie Leither were selected 1st team all conference while teammates Caitlin O?ÄôBrien and Katie Merchant were selected second team all conference.
The Kimball girls basketball team ends its season and is pictured, left to right, in front row, Krista Loch, Katie Spaulding, Rachel Merten, Abbey Schiefelbein, and Sidney Schreiner. In middle row are Ashley Schindele, Kira Schaefer, Rachel Utecht, Holly Berscheid, Julia Zipoy, and Lexi Streit. In back row are C Squad Coach Brooke Merten, JV Coach Joe Stangle, Erin O?ÄôBrien, Kate Loehrer, Kenzie Leither, Madison Hurrle, Alexa Ruehle, Katie Merchant, Caitlin O?ÄôBrien, and Coach Jeremy Kuechle. Submitted photo.
Academic All-Conference recipients were: Abbey Schiefelbein, Sidney Schreiner, Kenzie Leither, Madison Hurrle, Rachel Utecht, Ashley Schindele, Katie Merchant, Katie Spaulding, Caitlin O?ÄôBrien, Erin O?ÄôBrien, and Julia Zipoy. Congratulations to Seniors Madison Hurrle and Caitlin O?ÄôBrien who both earned Academic All-State honors. This season the Cubs tipped off each contest with a very balanced attack while also focusing on playing a hard-working defense.
The end result was a Cubs team having different offensive leaders on many occasions while the team averaged 58 points per game. The Cubs defensive team success was evident as they allowed the fewest points per game (44) out of 20 teams in Section 5A and second by only 1.1 points per game in the Central Minnesota Conference. The team?Äôs motto for the season was ?ÄúOars in the Water Together?Äù, as these student athletes learn to understand the importance of not only playing hard but playing together and playing for each other. I would like to thank the players for their commitment throughout the season, and also their parents and families for their support. Go Big Blue!