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Staff photos Brian Larsen
When Ariana Poyirier steps onto the basketball court, it’s like watching cold butter hit a hot skillet. It doesn’t take long for her to warm up and then her game is pure sizzle. She’s greased lightning with a basketball, just a joy to watch.
As one of two seniors on the CCHS girls’ basketball team, Adriana Poyirier and teammate Paisley Smith were both honored on Senior Night before the Monday, March 1 home game against the Silver Bay Mariners, but the tributes didn’t stop there for this gifted player. Ariana brought the fans to their feet when she eclipsed the 1,000 point barrier in the game, a feat not accomplished by many high school basketball players.
Fans of Cook County High School girls’ basketball have watched the evolution of Ariana’s game and knew they were seeing a star in the making. Her coach, Kelly Haswsen, asked Ariana if she remembered playing in her first game as an eighth-grader. Hawsen subbed the eager youngster in and Ariana’s first shot hit nothing but net. No surprise here.
The 5’8” guard is fast, a great defender, an astute passer, a strong rebounder, shoots well from the three-point line, and often gets to the basket in a hurry. And, sorry, boys, Ariana is the best ball handler at CCHS.
All of that talent and love for the game (and teammates) led to Arian’s surpassing the 1,000 point total for her career against nearby rival Silver Bay on Monday night, March 1, at home in front of a sparse crowd (due to COVID- 19 restrictions). Instead of stopping the game and awarding Ariana the ball when she topped the mark early in the second half of play, the referee asked if the game could continue and the ceremony happen after the contest ended, which Coach Hawsen agreed to.
Seeing limited action against an understaffed Mariner team, Ariana netted 34 points, many coming off of steals. Her stats: assists, rebounds, and steals weren’t available, but they were considerable.
Before the game, Ariana and Paisley were called out on the floor and recognized for their leadership and dedication to the program. Speaking to the crowd and Ariana, Coach Hawsen said, “Ana’s (that’s what she called by friends) presence on the court is shown through action. She is a fluid, dynamic player who puts everything she has on the court. From diving after loose balls to running the floor through traffic, she is a tremendous athlete that a coach can just sit back and watch and say ‘WOW,’ she’s got this. Ana, please know that you have everything you need to be successful in whatever you choose to pursue. The sky is the limit, kid, and your athletic career has just begun!”
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