Colfax girls close season with state globe up front

The five seniors on the Bulldog team finished with all team trophies at Monday's banquet. Left to right are Greta Geier, Josie Riebold, Carmen Gfeller, Piper Cai and Abbie Miller.

Seated at the head table with the state globe front and center, Colfax girls celebrated their run to the 2B title and honored five departing seniors who led the campaign this year. All of the team’s special awards at the Monday hoop banquet went to the seniors.

“It was a magical year,” Coach Corey Baerlocher commented. He noted the girls worked long and hard for the state title, but a little luck also came their way.

Baerlocher relayed an account of the bench action when he called time in the March 3 title game against league foe Davenport when the Bulldogs charged from seven points behind to the title.

He called time out with 3:27 left in the game, and the season.

“I just said we’ve got some game left,” he recalled.

Veteran senior Carmen Gfeller ended the huddle with a “let’s go,” and the rest became Bulldog history with Abbie Miller stacking a series of shots to rocket Colfax to the title win.

“It was amazing,” Baerlocher said.

“What a way to go out,” he commented on Miller’s 19-point final game.

Colfax advanced to the title game with a 65-47 win over Tri-Cities Prep in the quarterfinals and a 55-48 win over league foe St. George’s on the semi round.

The run to the title topped a 23-4 season run for Colfax.

Miller received the team’s most improved award, and Josie Riebold, the team’s defensive specialist, received the inspirational award.

Riebold was credited with shutting down Tri-Cities ace Talia Von Oelhofen in the quarterfinal game.

Gfeller, who won the NE district MVP award, received another team MVP honor at the banquet. Coach Baerlocher noted Gfeller for the season hit 58 percent of her field goals, 45 percent of her three-point shots and 70 percent of her toss shots.

Piper Cai received the Miss Hustle award. In the title game Cai came within one basket, one rebound and two assists from booking a triple double. Gfeller, Riebold and Greta Geier received captain’s awards.

Three juniors on the team were Madi Cox, Taylre Sakamoto-Howell and Rachel Brown. Sophomores were Skylre Sakamoto-Howell, Kaitlyn Cornish and Shyah Antoine.

Kiersten York and Sydney Berquist were freshmen on the varsity.

Associate cheerleader Katy Johnson also presented awards to the seniors.

Assistant Coach Scott Raynor presented certificates to jayvee team members who rolled out a 22-1 record on the season.

Honorees included Anni Cox, Helina Jahn, Averi Mackleit, Norah Burrill, Perry Imler, Kennedy Schmidt, McKenna Lomax and Lexie Booth.