Communities welcome home state team

    Tom Akers, Cambridge superintendent of schools, greeted everyone at the community welcome back reception for the Ridgewood Lady Spartans Sunday, Feb. 28, at AlWood High School.

    He introduced team players, freshman Taylor Brooks, Madison Miller and Molly Jo Smith; sophomores Erika Roden, Emalee Brink and Annie Gelaude; juniors Sammi Stevenson, Ella Teel and Hayley McDowell and seniors Michelle Williams, Stephanie Williams, Kiersten McKie, Amanda Kruger, Jena Peterson, Marina Nuckles and Danyelle English. He also introduced coach Bryan Brooks and assistant coach Joel Zaiser.

    Shannon Bumann, AlWood superintendent of schools, thanked everyone for coming and talked about the girls outstanding play, sportsmanship and how two communities and schools came together as one and did something outstanding.

    He congratulated the coaches and said a sincere thank you to both Cambridge and AlWood school boards for allowing this wonderful thing to happen.

    He thanked the parents for all their cooperation and the players for their wonderful talent, pride and spirit.

    “I know my children look at you as role models and I am sure children from both communities feel the same way,” Bumann stated. “You have set the bar high, something for all of them to strive for.”

    Bumann said AlWood and Cambridge athletes are equal now and they are known as Ridgewood Spartans.

    Akers went back to the podium and spoke for a second time.

    “I want everyone out there to know both schools have worked hard the last two weeks to get the Illinois High School Association to recognize both schools, but because of their rules and regulations, only AlWood was recognized at the state competition,” stated Akers. “AlWood officials also brought back home medals for the Cambridge individuals who deserved them.”

    Akers went on to quote Theodore Roosevelt and then talked to the girls themselves about how they gave their hearts and souls to basketball this year and it showed.

    “Sometimes you would walk off the court bleeding, tired and exhausted, but you always gave everything you had while you were on the court,” Akers stated. “You gave us that opportunity to witness that and  we will always cherish those moments.”

    Assistant coach Zaiser spoke briefly and thanked the girls for the ride.

    Coach Brooks started off his portion of the program by congratulating the Ridgewood dance
team for taking first place in Saturday’s competition.

    He thanked both communities for making the trip to Bloomington.

    “There was a lot of Spartan Blue their to cheer us on, two communities coming together both with one goal, to cheer on their hometown heroes,” he stated. “I was a year ago at the state tournament that the girls from both schools first met. I took the AlWood girls and Lewis and Miller brought down the Cambridge girls.”

    In November 2009, the girls started practice and our motto was ‘A New Year, A New Team, Let’s Make It Happen.”

    Brooks reminisced about the season, ending with the last two games at state.

    “After our heartbreaking loss against Hinckley-Big Rock on Friday, the girls left the floor determined to return on Saturday and give it everything they had.

    “I think we didn’t quite have our feet under us as the game began on Saturday because of the very physical game on Friday, but the girls pulled it off despite all the blocks and missed shots.”

    Coach Brooks talked about some of the funny moments during the state tournament and some of the scary ones as well.

    “We had a great season,” he stated. “One of the best for either of the schools with a 32-3 record. Thank you’s also went out to the athletic directors, Lisa Miller, Dawn Lewis, the bus drivers, the fire departments who helped after the fire in the home economics room, administration and staff from both schools, and Jay Bizarri, AlWood High School principal, for scouting games when no one else could, Jennifer Jennifer Kruger, for keeping the score book, Coach Zaiser for all his help and my wife, Lindsey, who did the hand-held palm.”

    He concluded with thanking his seven seniors.

    “We will never forget you, never replace you and you have definitely set the bar high for the next team to come,” he stated. “Underclassmen, your goal should be to get back to state every year - there is some room for improvement. Future Spartans, you have to believe.”

    Coach Brooks presented medals to Akers, Robert Reagan, Cambridge High School principal; Jeff Hannam, Cambridge athletic director; Kruger and his wife, Lindsey.

    English spoke for the team thanking everyone for their support. She also sent out a special thank you to her dad for encouraging her to go out for basketball this year.

    “Without your encouragement I would not be here today,” she stated. “Thank you.”

    At the end of the ceremony it was announced that Friday, March 5, has been proclaimed Lady Spartan Day by Cambridge, Woodhull and Alpha mayors. Everyone is encouraged to wear their Spartan apparel in honor of the team.