The Versailles Republican
Sports
April 2, 2009
'08-'09
Lady Indians are honored at Milan's basketball awards
program
Gary Franklin, Sports
Writer
Milan Lady Indian Varsity Coach Jeff Stutler opened the
girls '09 basketball awards celebration expressing appreciation
for all efforts put forth in promoting the girls basketball
program in the Milan schools at all levels.
Coach Stutler called fifth grade girls team coach Bobby
Davis to the stage for comments about his team and season.
Coach Davis thanked his wife and kids and the young ladies
who had participated this year, along with their parents.
Calling his team to the stage, Davis introduced each member.
He stated, "The team was just three points shy of
being champions in their first season, and that he was
very pleased with their first efforts in organized basketball.
Former Lady Indian, Michelle Franklin, the sixth grade
girls coach, was assisted by Michelle Henry. As Coach
Franklin called her team to the stage, she relayed that
the team consisted of 24 girls. She emphasized that with
this kind of interest at the sixth grade level the Milan
Lady Indian basketball program should be strong for many
years to come.
In continuing, Coach Franklin thanked the girls' parents
for transporting them to Tyson Auditorium, where they
played their games on Sundays. Each member of the team
was presented with a certificate of participation and
a team photo.
The Milan seventh grade team included only six members,
and were coached by Billie Brayton. In many games some
of the eighth grade girls were asked to fill in on the
seventh grade team
After coaching the eighth grade girls, David Voss found
that cell phones appeared to be of the girls' best friends.
He added, the teams season record was 4 for 10 and that
the six losses were all by four points or less.
The eighth grade team included 11 members with three or
four of them getting a chance at more playing time when
they were allowed to help fill the seventh grade's team
roster when needed.
In closing his comments, Coach Voss reminded the girls
that the next step to the high school level would require
them to continue to work over the summer on their own
to improve their game skills.
Coach Stutler thanked the coaches and players and their
parents for continuing to develope the Milan girls basketball
youth program. He then called MHS Lady Indian Reserve
Coach Karisa Voss to the podium to speak about her team.
Coach Voss' first order of business was to call her team
to the stage, where she shared some of the season's highlights
and spoke of the many improvements made by the girls as
the season progressed.
Coach Stutler called assistant Leslie Vertz to the stage
where she and Coach Voss helped pass out the high school
awards.
Coach Stutler spoke of respect and admiration he had for
this year's team. He went through each game of the season
as it unfolded and the key points of those games that
had great effect on each outcome.
Coach Stutler related to some of the inopportune events
that had occured to the team that greatly hindered them
from reaching the plateau they aspired to. At times the
team was short at least one key role player due to sickness
or injury.
Coach Stutler praised the work ethic of his team, adding
that as a coach and also as a father, how much pride he
felt in his daughter Kelly's drive and determination to
participate in the game she so loves.
"I watched her many times get up so that she could
hit the gym and practice on her own at 5:15 a.m.in spite
of the pain and many challenges faced as a junior and
especially in this her senior year."
Stutler concluded, "I would be glad to take this
talented group anywhere. That is except Las Vegas!"
The comments drew chuckles from those in attendance, but
obviously after observing all the bad luck that engrossed
the Lady Indians over the season, it held more truth in
the message than was grasped when stated.
The Milan Lady Indian Varsity team of '09 included: freshman
Shaina Reed, sophomores Elaina Voss, Stephanie Kirk, and
Arielle Noel, juniors Ciera Ison and Brittany Lewis, along
with seniors Kelly Stutler, Kayla Stutler, Rebecca Haugh,
Jessica Wessler and Montana Winters.
Team voted recipients of the '09 season awards were:
JV Award
Co-Most Improved
Tatijana Marsee - freshman
Stephanie Kirk - sophomore
Varsity Awards
Most Improved
Montana Winters - senior
Most Valuable Player
Kelly Stutler - senior
110% Award
Kelly Stutler - senior
Other Achievements
Senior - Jessica Wessler
609 career points for 7th overall, All Conference, All
Sectional and All State Honorable Mention.
Other Achievements
Senior - Kelly Stutler
1071 career points for 2nd overall and 231 assists. Her
146 3 pointers for MHS girls all time leader. Two-time
All Conference, three time All-County, four time All Sectional,
Academic All-State and All State Honorable Mention.
Coach Stutler in closing out the program again thanked
all who were instrumental in helping to build the Milan
Lady Indian basketball program. He reminded the eighth
grade girls, looking to play at the high school level,
when next season rolls around that attitude has very much
to do with success.
Senior Kayla Stutler on behalf of the seniors spoke of
gratitude to all for their support and presented gifts
to each of the coaching staff on behalf of the team.
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GARY FRANKLIN PHOTO
The 2009 Milan Lady Indian Basketball Award s Program
award recipients pictured from left include: Tatijana
Marsee, Stephanie Kirk, Jessica Wessler, Montana
Winters and Kelly Stutler.
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