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After a long, lesson-filled season, the Chisago Lakes girls basketball team named their award recipients last week.

After a scorching-hot 3-0 start to the season, the Wildcats stumbled when it came to the meat of their schedule, going 5-19 the rest of the way. Head Coach Craig Walker knew it would be a rebuilding season. Only one senior was on the roster, and the starting five consisted of two juniors, some underclassmen, and even a middle schooler for most of the season.

Their were a few bright spots, however, among the young team. Forward Whitney Tinjum averaged 20.1 points per game and 9.9 rebounds per. She was two total rebounds shy of averaging a double-double. She also added 2.8 steals per game on defense.

Her play was rewarded by being named to the Pioneer Press's All-State Honorable Mention team, All-North Suburban Conference, and the Wildcats' Most Valuable Player. And she garnered all this attention and accolades as a freshman.

The most improved player on the year was also a freshman. Five-foot, 10-inch center Zoe Hansen made the jump from reserve to starter late in the season, and the Wildcats' game was stepped up as a whole when she started earning more minutes. She averaged 5.5 points and three rebounds per game in 10 late games for Chisago Lakes.

The Rookie of the Year award went to eighth-grader Hannah Trandahl. As the point guard, Trandahl flew all over the court for the Wildcats, leaving defenses wondering what that little quick thing was that was buzzing around. Her hustle and grittiness, as well as her three points, two rebounds and two steals per game earned her the award for best newcomer to the varsity program.

The Wildcat Award went to Hannah's older sister Cassie. Although older doesn't mean too much on a team this young -- Cassie was only a sophomore this year.

According to Walker, the Wildcat Award is for the player who best shows sportsmanship, enthusiasm for her team and teammates, and a dedication to the team and the sport. Cassie fit the bill well, and was awarded for her talent and work ethic.

The last award went to junior Kelsey Ristow. The Coaches Award is presented to the girl who shows the most coachability, a willingness to accept direction and follow through, an understanding of her role and has a team first mentality. 

Ristow always trotted out on the court with her team's best interest in mind, and it led to 5.1 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game for her.

Junior Summer Young earned All-NSC Honorable Mention for the Wildcats. Nearly every game, Young stuffed the box score with stats, and also did things that don't show in the box score. She consistently got to the basket, created open shots for her teammates and generally clogged up the lane for her teammates to reign free in other spots on the court.

She was the Wildcats' second-leading scorer at 8.3 points per game, and she also averaged 4.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.6 steals per contest for the Wildcats.

Besides leading the 'Cats in dimes, she finished second in scoring, rebounding and steals behind Tinjum. She was the follow-up punch to Tinjum's haymaker.

Walker also named the two captains for next year's squad. Ristow and Tinjum each earned their way into a captains role in different ways. Ristow was already a captain this year as a junior because of her scrappiness and hard work. Tinjum will be leading the girls for the first time next year as a sophomore.

The departing senior class includes only Jamie Peterson, so the Wildcats will be aiming for a big season next year with virtually everyone from their rotation back.

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