The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

PRESCOTT-Athletic Director Jeff Foertsch hosted an awards ceremony on February 12th at Stueckle Gymnasium to honor the boys and girls basketball teams this year. First to speak was girls head coach Tiffany Hedman. She began with the highlights of the year for the girls program. The first was the overtime win against the Dayton-Waitsburg junior varsity with only four players on the floor for Prescott in overtime.

She went on to say, "The second highlight for me wasn't very long after that. I don't remember if it was College Place or who it was, but we were down by two, Hedra hit a three-pointer and put us up and we ended up holding on and winning. I think it was College Place, so players, thank you for all your hard work. I hope that it was worth it to you because I know that it was worth it to me. My second thank you goes to the parents. First of all, thank you for all your support. Thank you for coming to the games and supporting your daughters and supporting the lady Tigers. Girls playing sports is very, very important to me. There are so many life lessons that are not taught necessarily in the classroom that girls and boys both learn when they both play sports. Studies show that girls who play sports have a higher esteem than girls that don't. Girls who play sports get higher grades when they are in sports. Girls that play sports learn leadership skills, so thank you for allowing your daughters to play basketball. Please if you have younger daughters, encourage them to play sports."

The scholar athletes were then introduced and included any athletes with a 3.25 GPA or higher. Natalie Reyes, Jamileth Saldana, Frida Gonzalez, and Violet Beckman were named. The awards were given out as voted on by the players. Natalie Reyes was voted Most Inspirational, Iris Martinez Most Improved, and Vianey Granados, Most Valuable.

Next to speak was boys head coach Allyn Griffin. "Thank you for being patient. So I want to start by saying welcome again. This is my fifth season as coach here, I've worked with your sons since they started playing basketball here. It's an honor to share time with them in this gymnasium. As I was walking in today, I realized that it's the last time they get to play on this floor unless they come back for the alumni game. Thank you also to my assistant coach Tiffany Hedman. She is absolutely brilliant when it comes to body dynamics, workout, exercise and so grateful to have you on the team. Thank you. This has just been a tremendously exciting year." These seniors that have played most every game have just been phenomenal. Coach Griffin also took the time to thank the Waitsburg Times for its coverage of the team this year.

The scholar athletes were then introduced for the boys. Antonio Hernandez and Hector Garcia were named. Finally, the awards were given out as voted on by the players. Omar Velazco was selected as Most Inspirational, Victor Garcia, Most Improved, and Jonathan Cardenas Most Valuable.