For the last time in the 2016 season, the Minden High boys and girls basketball teams gathered together.
This time, it wasn’t for competition, but rather recognition.
It was a whirlwind season for both teams.
The Tide battled their way through one of the toughest districts in the state, playing half the season without their head coach, and still finding a way to make the playoffs.
The Minden Lady Tiders fielded a young roster in 2016, but that didn’t stop the Lady Tiders from rallying to a 19-12 finish and a playoff berth.
Tuesday night, the good times got rolling with a delicious meal catered by Hugh Wood Catering. At the meal’s conclusion, girls head coach Jacob Brown took the podium to share a few words about the events speaker, Summerfield head boys and girls basketball coach Randy Carlisle.
Carlisle won state titles with the boys and girls this season in Class C.
Carlisle spoke to both teams and the audience about the importance of faith in his coaching career and about the power of words and the willingness to make your teammate bettert than yourself.
After Carlisle’s riveting speech, the team awards were handed out. Sha’Terra Batton took home the offensive MVP award for the girls, followed by the Defensive MVP award going to Whitney Aubrey. Tiaga Pugh was honored with the Team MVP award after finishing her career with over 1,200 points and 700 rebounds.
On the boys side, Davien “Shun” Moore took home the Offensive MVP and Team MVP award.
At the conclusion of the boys awards, Brown dismissed the crowd, but with plenty of players coming back for each team, 2016-2017 could be bigger and better for Minden.