Photo Courtesy of Columbus Girls Basketball (Ben Masterson)

After one of the most successful seasons on the court in program history, accolades continue to roll in for the Columbus Wildcat girls basketball team. This month, Wildcat junior Mady Howell was recognized with the E. Wayne Cooley “You Can” Award by the Iowa Girls Coaches Association. Howell appeared in all 22 games this season for the ‘Cats, with her contributions felt on the defensive end and the intangibles, serving as a glue player in the Wildcat’s run to a share of the North Division Championship in the Southeast Iowa Superconference. During her time with the program, Howell has appeared in 35 total games and been a part of 25 wins for the blue and white.

The staff for Columbus girls basketball including head coach Kasey Keltner and assistant coach Ben Masterson described Howell’s importance to the program and why it was fitting she was recognized. “If you know Mady, you know she is the embodiment of what this award signifies. Mady shows up each and every day willing to work hard, encourage her teammates, and do what is necessary to put us in the best position to succeed. We would not have the strong culture we do now without Mady, and we are so excited that she has been selected for this outstanding award.”

According to the Iowa Girls Coaches Association, the E. Wayne Cooley “You Can” Award is given to those student athletes who illustrated the qualities of determination, character, and the values of pursuing victory with honor. It is named in appreciation of longtime Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Secretary E. Wayne Cooley.

The Wildcats finished the season with a 12-2 mark in the Southeast Iowa Superconference, tied in the loss column with Lone Tree in first place, and a 15-7 record overall, advancing to the regional semifinal round of the Class 1A tournament.