News from the Nest: Winter Eagle Awards
Congratulations to the student athletes who were recognized for their outstanding athleticism, teamwork and leadership during the winter sports season.
Congratulations to the student athletes who were recognized for their outstanding athleticism, teamwork and leadership during the winter sports season. Keep reading below for coaches' citations.
Grade 6
Girls Basketball with Coaches Kochevar, Mayo and DeBoe
- Anne Hawley (GRALAND)
- Katherine Hommertzheim (GREEN)
- Carmen Valentine (EAGLE)
Boys Basketball with Coaches Kinney, Brown and O’Malley
- Luke Gowen (EAGLE)
- Ryan Mandes (GREEN)
- Joe Masters (GRALAND)
Grade 7
Girls Basketball with Coach Chavez
- Naomi Wolff
Boys Basketball with Coach Kinney
- Zach Morgan
Grade 8
Girls Basketball with Coach DeBoe
- Coco Hunt
Boys Basketball with Coaches Hill and Brown
- Michael Ryan
COACHES’ CITATIONS
Grade 6 Girls (GREEN): This young Eagle is full of surprises. By appearances you would think she was quiet and reserved, however, you put a basketball in Katherine's hands and you will see a powerful, intense, unstoppable athlete. In our last game Katherine was up against some fierce competition, but she never backed down and never lost focus. She did an incredible job as point guard and was often able to set up her teammates for success. I appreciate her modesty and unassuming disposition. It was really fun to see the transformation that occurred as she exploded on the court and showed her true passion and athleticism. Fantastic season!
Grade 6 Girls (GRALAND): This year’s Eagle has been a joy to coach. She is a fierce competitor and gave 100% in each of our games. I was impressed with her strong ball handling skills and her keen sense of knowledge on the court. She was often able to set up her teammates and did an excellent job moving the ball around and finding the open player. On defense, she was crucial to our success. Her height and speed made her a powerful defender and she was often able to steal the ball. Although she can sometimes be a bit dramatic… I could always count on her to be focused and engaged when needed. She certainly led by example and was an outstanding player for us this winter. Anne Hawley.
Grade 6 Girls (EAGLE): This year’s Eagle Award recipient was a constant presence on our team this season. Leading by means of a quiet example, she immersed herself into each drill to further develop her shooting, passing, and ball handling skills. With a natural instinct for the game, and especially for her keen sense of defense and rebounding position, she experienced consistent success in each of our games. When asked to fill in on another team who was short players for their game, she exuberantly obliged. I am honored to present this year’s Team Eagle, Eagle award to (many of you will remember her as “Peter Pan”), Carmen Valentine.
Grade 6 Boys (GREEN): This year’s Eagle Award recipient had a tremendous season. He was always the first to arrive for practice and the last to leave… because this young man truly understands what it means to work hard. Extremely coachable, he constantly asked what he could do to improve his game, then he would take my advice and practice, practice, practice until it became second nature. His jump shots and lay-ups steadily improved and his strong defensive skills forced many turnovers for us this winter. Most importantly though, this player is truly one of the kindest and most considerate individuals I have coached. After every practice and game, he would collect the balls, put away the scoreboard, and ask if there was anything else he could do to help. I never heard a negative word come out of his mouth, nor did he ever assign blame to others when things didn’t go well. He always keeps things in perspective, always stands tall, always smiles and always finds the positive in everything. It is my pleasure to present this year’s Eagle Award to Joe Masters.
Grade 6 Boys (GRALAND): This year’s Eagle Award recipient embodies all the attributes associated with the award. His genuine love for basketball is truly evident. As a player, his game is off the charts. He led his team in every statistical category. These categories included: scoring, rebounding, assists and steals. As an offensive threat, he averaged an astounding 16 points a game. He is intuitive, highly skilled, and he displays an amazing sense of court awareness. After gathering in the defensive rebound, this year’s recipient would use the dribble to advance the ball into scoring position. Employing either a deadly jump shot or a blistering pass, he would create scoring opportunities for his team. A rising star, a promising future, congratulations to this year’s Eagle Award recipient, Ryan Mandes.
Grade 6 Boys (EAGLE): This young man embodies everything a coach looks for in a player. His coachability is off the charts, and, to him, there is nothing more important than giving your best every day. He is strong on both sides of the court. On offense, he sees the court well, makes smart passes, and his shooting skills make him is a threat whether he’s driving the lane or taking an outside jump shot. On defense, he is amazing about anticipating passes, which he gladly steals. He isn’t afraid to dive on the court for a loose ball, and under the basket his strong “hops” propel him above all others, allowing him to make crucial rebounds. As a teammate, he is well-liked and respected by everyone. He will do anything necessary to make his team successful. He is always polite, always positive, and a lot of fun to coach! It is my pleasure to give this year’s Eagle Award to a very deserving, Luke Gowen.
Grade 7 Girls: This Eagle award recipient didn’t necessarily look for glory. She looked to make other players better. She inspired action and greatness from others. She didn’t necessarily need to lead the team in scoring, but she could have. Instead, she would pass off to the hot hand, or slow the game down in order to run out the clock. Always a step ahead, she would look to make sure everyone was involved in the offense. Her impact was felt on the defensive end as well, helping to lead fast breaks that turned close games into blowouts. and inspiring others to take risks, creating an ultimate sense of chaos for the opposing team. Often locked up with the opposing team’s best player, she helped shut down any hope of a comeback.
Omi, (Naomi Wolff) you helped lead this team to a successful season by bringing out the best in everyone around you. You are a fantastic basketball player, and I am proud to present this Eagle Award to you.
Grade 7 Boys: This year’s Eagle Award recipient exhibited the pursuit of excellence with integrity, sportsmanship, ingenuity, and all-around basketball skills. He elevated his game while quarterbacking the offense and solidifying the defense. Playing in the middle of the zone, this year’s recipient defended the lane, grabbed the rebound, and stymied the opposition as they tried to establish an offense. He controlled the flow of the game by attacking the basket, running the floor, and dishing the basketball to the open teammate. His scoring average was close to double digits, and his turn-over ratio was extremely low. His unselfish style of play, his dedication and work ethic, and the fact that he is game savvy made him a perfect choice to champion and lead the offensive attack. It is a great honor to present the Eagle Award to Zach Morgan.
Grade 8 Girls: With a clear passion for the game, this fine young lady exhibits the combination of well-developed skills, keen court sense, compassion, integrity and dedication. A multi-season recipient, she works tirelessly on her shooting, and she is a true student of the game through her inquisitiveness and implementation of strategies. Coco inspires not only me but each of her team mates with her daily tenacity and sincere kindness and respect she displays. She is a respected leader and leads through example with her tireless pursuit of proficiency. She ended her basketball season with a designed 3 point inbounds play in which she flawlessly executed. And as the ball swished through the net, this pretty much summed up her Graland basketball career. It is all of these genuine characteristics that I present the Eagle Award to Coco Hunt.
Grade 8 Boys: Michael Ryan demonstrated high character and focused energy toward *team* goals throughout our season. He also showed an earnest desire to learn and to get better every day. He wanted to do the little things right, whether it was about foot-work with the ball, positioning his body for a rebound, or getting to the right spot on defense. Michael was always respectful and appreciative and made the most of his chances to contribute. both in games and during practices. I’m delighted to offer our Eagle Award to Michael Ryan, for bringing that positive attitude, effort, and energy every day.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
