8th grade basketball player Mason Smith is this week’s Pirate Competitor of the Week sponsored by Galena Culver’s and the Galena Gazette. Mason averaged 8.5 points per game last week as the Pirates won the U.S. Grant/Fever River Conference tournament title and finished 3rd at the Joe Finn Tournament in Stockton.  According to coach Dalton Montgomery, “we played three hard games Saturday and he gave as much effort In the last game than he did the first. Mason had multiple steals and played the best defense the entire team had all season. He does everything he’s asked and a very coachable player.”  Mason was honored with a gift basket from the Galena Culver’s, as well as a newspaper courtesy of the Galena Gazette.

Also Nominated:
Freshman Kaden Hauber helped the Pirates in games with Southwestern, Cuba City, and Belmont. For the season, Kaden is averaging 8 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assist and 2 steals a game. Coach Matt Wienen commented, “everyone that knows Kaden understands that he is an extremely talented offensive player, but his biggest attribute to our team is his defense. Every game he is given the job of guarding the opponents best player. He picks that player up full court in our press and does an outstanding job of not allowing that player to score. Kaden is an extremely hard working young man and puts a lot of time in the gym/ weight room working to become the best player he can be. It’s crazy to believe Kaden is only a freshman. He has grown up so much in each and every game thus far, and he will continue to get better as the season goes on.”

Maggie Furlong averaged 7.3 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals per game last week as the Pirates claimed victories over Pecatonica and East Dubuque last week.  According to coach Jamie Watson, “Maggie had a great week last week and was a big part of the reason we were able to win the Pearl City Holiday Tournament.  She was also voted to the All Tournament Team.  Maggie missed last season due to an ACL injury and she has come back from her injury in a big way.  She is a great rebounder and defender and is an important leader for our team.  Maggie has been a starter on the varsity since her freshman year and her ability to do just about everything on the court allows us to move her around and play multiple positions.  Her hard work and dedication over the course of the past 4 years have made her into an invaluable part of our team.”