A pair of girls basketball players from the KCII listening area are taking home a special award from the Iowa Girls Coaches Association. Seniors Emma Soukup from Highland and Carlee Sloan from Winfield-Mt. Union are recipients of the E. Wayne Cooley “You Can” Basketball Award from the IGCA.

Soukup finished the year shooting 25% from the floor and 68% at the free throw line with 69 points, 64 rebounds, 36 steals and 33 assists. She was nominated by her head coach Jody Fink who said in the application “Emma is one of the hardest workers in the gym. She did not play much leading up to her senior year but kept working hard every single day. Many players would have given up but she continued her path and broke into the starting lineup as a senior. It is with this determination and never give up attitude she was able to succeed.” Highland ended the year with a 12-11 overall record.

Sloan finished the year shooting 41% from the floor with 35 rebounds, 34 points, 23 steals and 18 assists. She was nominated by her head coach Mitch Wachs who said in the application “Carlee has been a model teammate for four years. She has been a big contributor to team spirit and encouragement of her teammates. While she didn’t play a ton of minutes this past season, her attitude and commitment to her team never wavered. She is very dependable and never missed a practice.” The Lady Wolves ended the year with a 19-5 record.

The award is named after longtime executive secretary of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union E. Wayne Cooley and is given to those who illustrate the qualities of determination, character and the values of pursuing victory with honor.