VW boys’ basketball, cheer awards given

Van Wert independent sports/submitted information

The Van Wert High School boys’ basketball team and basketball cheerleaders were honored at an awards recognition event held in the First Federal Lecture Hall at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center. For the basketball team, Jacob Myers earned the Cougar Award, while Reggie Phillips earned the Claw Award. Joe Moonshower and AJ Smith were given the Chairmen of the Boards award for rebounding, while Joey Hurless earned the Pride Award and Smith was Rookie of the Year.

The Captain’s Award also went to Myers, who also was named First Team, All-Western Buckeye League, First Team All-District 8 and also selected for the West All-Star Team.

Hurless was selected to the second team, All-WBL, while Reggie Phillips earned an Honorable Mention All-WBL.

Several basketball players also earned academic awards. Those included Moonshower (Gold Award) and Caleb Markward, Nik Wolford, Hurless and Smith (Silver Award).

For the cheerleaders, senior cheerleader Sydney Riethman was honored with a senior clock for her three years of service to the varsity cheer squad. Senior cheerleader and basketball players were presented senior scrapbooks made by the cheerleaders to capture the memories of the 2011-2012 season.

Cheerleader varsity letter winners included: third-year letter – Riethman; second year letter — junior Millie Murphy; first-year letter — juniors Katie Anderson and Rachael Scheidt, sophomores Emily Adams and Grace Hammons, and freshman Kelsea Allenbaugh.

Special awards were given to the Most Improved Cheerleader, MaeKenzie Alba; Most Spirited Cheerleader, Emily Adams; Most Valuable Cheerleader, Sydney Riethman; and the Coaches’ Award, Millie Murphy. Miranda Richard was presented a varsity letter as the winter sports mascot.

Coach Hurless commended the cheerleaders for their hard work, teamwork and a very successful season working with the Van Wert High School No. 1 Cat Pack.

Basketball and cheerleader scholar-athletes include (front row, from the left) Ryan Rice, Bryan Mills, Nick Krugh, Nick Keber, Jacob Williams, Connor Holliday, Connor Shaffer, Kelsea Allenbaugh, Kyle Keber; (middle row) Miranda Rickard, Sydney Riethman, Katie Anderson, Emily Adams, MaeKenzie Alba, Millie Murphy, Grace Hammons, Liz Keirns, Rachael Scheidt, Briana VanHorne; (back row) Payton Tussing, Kylie Allenbaugh, Kyle Smelser, Matt Bidlack, Caleb Markward, AJ Smith, Nik Wolford, Joey Hurless, Jacob Myers, Joe Moonshower, Cody Keirns, Nathan Stoller. (VWCS photos)

Basketball and cheerleading seniors include (from the left) Jacob Myers, Chadd Phillips, Sydney Riethman, Joe Moonshower, Reggie Phillips.

Special basketball team awards were given to the following (front row, from the left) Jacob Myers, Chadd Phillips, Joe Moonshower, Reggie Phillips; (back row) Joey Hurless, and AJ Smith.

Cheerleader special awards were given to (from the left) Sydney Riethman, Millie Murphy, MaeKenzie Alba, and Emily Adams.

Cheerleader letter winners include (front row, from the left) Sydney Riethman, Millie Murphy, Grace Hammons, Kelsea Allenbaugh; (back row) Rachael Scheidt, Katie Anderson, Emily Adams, and Miranda Rickard.