Former Spartans honored

he Southwestern women’s basketball team played an inspired game in defeating Grand View JV Monday night after an emotional pregame tribute to a former player.

Events were held to honor student-athletes who died in a July auto accident in Union County. Maddie Stewart’s No. 20 jersey was retired and framed jerseys were presented to her parents, Kevin Stewart and Julie Shields. Maddie’s sisters Samantha and Dannie also attended the presentation.

Before the start of the game, Grand View players each left a carnation on the bench seat left emphy in Maddie’s honor, with her No. 20 jersey draped over the back of the chair.

As the game began, Grand View allowed Southwestern to take possession off the center tip and run 20 seconds off the shot clock before putting the ball in play. The night marked 20 days before what would have been Stewart’s 20th birthday.

“I am proud of the way our girls competed on our night dedicated to Maddie,” said coach Darian Wingate, who organized the jersey retirement ceremony. “While it was a very emotional one, our girls found a way to get it done despite being down in numbers for the night.”

Southwestern had just six players available Monday’s 74-58 victory due to injuries to regular starters Cassidy Nelson of Lenox and Mikayla Hearon (see page 10).

Stewart was also a member of the SWCC Dance Team, and the squad performed a halftime dance in honor of her and team member Ella Leonard, who also died in the crash. Coach Paige Russo organized the dedication dance performed to the song, “In the Stars,” by Benson Boone.

Also present was softball coach Danny Jensen. SWCC softball player Halsie Barnes died as a result of the accident. Graceland University student Abigail Barnes survived. Stewart, Halsie Barnes and Abigail Barnes graduated from Mount Ayr Community High School. Leonard was a Winterset graduate.

Southwestern women and men play home games Wednesday night beginning with the women’s tipoff at 5:30 p.m.