Like many teams, the Mariners girl’s basketball team has had significant battles with injury and illness and it has cost them several opportunities to earn their third win. Things came together last Friday with a 65-41 home win over Wrenshall.
It was Senior Night as the Mariners celebrated four seniors: managers Natalie Kaiser and Josie Carey, as well as players Colleen Szurpicki and Danika Thompson. This is an amazing group of young ladies who combine for a GPA of better than 3.9 and are all top-quality role models, members of the National Honor Society, and significant contributors to school and community activities.
In the process of writing sports articles, I have had the pleasure of visiting with countless student-athletes in the district and neighboring communities. It never surprises me how many of these amazing young people are strong, responsible students and top-quality people destined to make our world a little better. These four are perfect examples.
In my comments prior to the game, I mentioned my mother’s plaque that said, “Every child needs people in their life that believe the sun rises and sets on them.” As their coach, I checked with NASA on this and the sun does indeed rise and set on these four student leaders.
The Mariners started strong with a pressure defense that helped them build a twenty-point lead and the Mariners never looked back. Both seniors had strong performances. Colleen had twelve points and nine rebounds while Danika had a monster game with twenty-nine points, nine rebounds, nine assists and ten steals. She has now eclipsed 1,350 points in her career.
Junior Izzy Carey added thirteen points and six assists as part of her strong season.
The Mariners host Nashwauk-Keewatin this Thursday and play at Hiawatha-Collegiate Academy Saturday, February 4th in Minneapolis. The High School for the Recording Arts visits the Mariners for a 1:45 p.m. contest on Monday, February 13th and Parent’s Night is Friday, February, 10th prior to the East Central game.
