The 2021-2022 girls’ basketball season will go down in Otter history as one of the best years ever for the program. Fergus Falls finished the season with a record of 26-6, were the Central Lakes Conference champions, won the Section 8AA title and finished as Class AA State Runners-up. The team also earned the Minnesota State AA Silver Academic Award with a GPA over 3.50.
Senior Ellie Colbeck put a cap on her outstanding career by being named to the All-State Team, All-State Tournament team, Academic All-State team and Central Lakes Conference All-Conference team. She also received the Otter Culture Award.
Senior Tori Ratz received All-State Honorable Mention, was selected to the All-State Tournament team, and was voted onto the CLC All-Conference team. She also won the Ms. Defense award.
Senior Ainsley Hansen made the All-State Tournament team and was chosen for the CLC All-Conference squad. She shared the Move Improved Player award with fellow senior Hannah Polejewski, who was CLC Honorable Mention, and a member of the Academic All-State Team.
Senior Ellia Soydara was also named to the Academic All-State team and was presented with the Hard Hat Award for being named the Best Practice Player.
Freshman Brynn Sternberg was also CLC All-Conference Honorable Mention. She won the Ms. Hustle Award.
Jess Price was named the State AA Assistant Coach of the Year.
Statistical leaders were Colbeck with a school record 820 points, 181 assists, 73 steals, 230 rebounds and a free throw percentage of 82.6%, Hansen with 230 rebounds and a field goal percentage of 59.5%, and Ratz with a 3-point field goal percentage of 45%.
Colbeck and Ratz also played in the Senior All-Star Series.
The Otters also made an impact on some all-time Minnesota Girls Basketball records, including single season 3-pointers made as a team. Their 279 treys is seventh all-time in Minnesota and 18th in the National High School Record book. Colbeck’s 820 points is 36th best all-time in a single season in Minnesota and her 2,497 career points ranks 65th all-time. Her 81.08% (480/592) Free Throw percentage ranks 19th all-time. Ratz made 126 3’s this year, which is third best all-time for a single season. Her 433 career 3’s is fourth all-time in Minnesota and 3-point percentage of 45.68% (433/948) is third all-time in Minnesota.