On the Bench with Byron Higgin

Minneota girls' basketball Coach Chad Johnston recently was presented with the Class A Girls' Basketball Coach of the Year award as well as the Championship Coach Award.

He took the Minneota Viking girls to the Class A State Championship last year to complete a sweep for the girls of both the volleyball and girls basketball championships.

ODDS AND ENDS:

•Two Marshall graduates are making big names for themselves in the college ranks. A starting offensive lineman with the undefeated Minneota Gophers (7-0) is 6-6 sophomore lineman Blaise Andries, and 6-3 Trey Lance, is the starting quarterback for the undefeated Bison (7-0).

•The Lac qui Parle Valley Eagles, who play Minneota in the Section 3A volleyball tournament are coached by Minneota grad Molly Hennen. She brought her team from a one-win season a year ago to a 16-14 season so far this year. Friday she’ll be back on her home court facing her former team and her sisters, Abby and Morgan Hennen.