Lady Bulldogs celebrate winning season

Players, parents and coaches of the Lovell High School girls basketball program gathered at the LHS Multipurpose Room Tuesday evening, March 31, to celebrate a successful 2025-26 season in which the Lady Bulldogs went 17-12 and won a game at the state tournament.

Head coach Brian May began by praising his players for their hard work and leadership, noting, “Basketball is a tough sport, and it’s a long season. We’re developing a player-led team.” He then presented Captain Leadership Awards to his three team captains, voted on by their fellow teammates: senior Becca Nichols and juniors Jenna Hessenthaler and Hannity Felkins, praising each for their attitude and energy.

May presented varsity letters to his 12 varsity team members and Outstanding Scholastic Achievement Awards (3.5 GPA or higher) to Macie Anderson, Kandace Asay, Brooklin Clark, Ava Edwards, Felkins, Morgan Harshman, Hessenthaler, Nichols, Kaydree Owens, Brynnlee Spanier and Ali and Avery Walker.

Individual awards

May presented five individual awards as follows:

Team MVP Brookin Clark – May said Clark led the Lady Bulldogs in scoring and in rebounding (fifth in the 3A West and seventh in the state). She also led the team in steals, sixth in the conference, and in team efficiency.

Top Defender Becca Nichols – Nichols often took on the task of guarding an opponent’s top player, May said, and “loved to do it” with energy and effort.

Most Improved Morgan Harshman – Harshman worked hard last summer and made more than 11,000 shots during the summer, May said, adding, “She put in a lot of effort and kept at it. She did a lot of things on her own.”

Sixth Man Kaydree Owens – Owens was a spark off the bench for the Lady Bulldogs, May said, noting that the team called her “Big shot Owens.” He said Owens worked hard at improving her shot and ended up 10th in the 3A West in three-point shooting percentage, adding, “She’s a hard worker who battled and hit some big shots for us.”

Blue Collar Hannity Felkins – Felkins had to play against taller posts but battled and did the dirty work like setting good screens and taking charges, May said.

May finished by giving 3A West All-Conference recognition to Clark and Avery Walker, with Ali Walker receiving honorable mention notice.

Freshman awards

Freshman coach Gretchen Walker presented six awards to go with Harshman’s Most Improved Award: Kinzie Blain, Silent Strength Award for “making the team better in ways that don’t always show up on the stat sheet;” Myles May, Breakthrough Award for her ability to “lock in and change the game on both sides of the floor” and for being a spark on the floor; Kelsey Mangus, Crowd Favorite Award as a player who “keeps things loose, makes us laugh and brings energy” in every situation; Gracie Angell, Swiss Army Knife Award because she “does it all” and knows and can play every position on the court; Brynnlee Spanier, Fearless Competitor Award for her willingness to compete hard, bring energy and never back down; Macie Anderson, Built Different Award for being tough, fearless and relentless and always elevating her teammates.

Sophomore and junior awards

Junior varsity coach Jen Hessenthaler presented awards to her sophomores and juniors in addition to Clark’s Team MVP Award, Owens’ Sixth Man Award and Felkins’ Blue Collar Award: Ava Edwards, Force to be Reckoned With Award for her “scrappy and feisty style of play” and for always being ready to compete and never backing down from anyone; Ali Walker, Splash Zone Award for some big games scoring including two 20-point performances, her three-point shooting and handling the ball under pressure; Avery Walker, Eye of the Tiger Award, noting that “when she gets that look on her face” she can make baskets, get to the rim, dish for assists and “escort the other team’s shots out of the gym;”

Kandace Asay, Unsung Hero Award for working hard, staying patient, never complaining and showing up ready to do what’s needed; Jenna Hessenthaler Voice and Vision Award for being a vocal presence in the huddle and on both ends of the floor, motivating her teammates and keeping the team functioning as a unit.

May presented Nichols with the Bulldog For Life Award as the lone senior on the team, noting that he’s sad to see her go because of her hard work and passion.

Many thanks

May wrapped up the evening by offering thanks to a number of individuals: Assistant coaches Walker and Hessenthaler for all of their hard work, along with their husbands and families; managers Kenadee Rael and Breeah Jones; the team parents; the Bulldog Booster Club and Megan Wilson; the Lovell Chronicle for coverage; CaMee Nichols and Tiffany Anderson for fundraising along with Pepsi and the Lovell Volunteer Fire Dept. for the use of the fire hall; athletic director Chris Edwards; trainer Cammie Brost; school staff members Kristin Lloyd, Nicole Mickelson and bus driver Judy Felkins.

Coach Walker also thanked May for all of the time he puts into the team, noting, “I don’t think he ever turns it off. He’s always thinking basketball.”

May urged his team to work hard this summer to improve their skills, stating, “In order to get better, you have to put the time in.”