Dakota Cougars Girl's Basketball: Welcome

Please contact the Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball Coach - Phil McCune @ pmccune@cvs.k12.mi.us or by phone at 586-219-7931 with any questions regarding the Dakota Girl's Basketball Program.

Pride developed through hard work and dedication produces success and success is our goal. Do not confuse success with winning. While winning is the essence of competition, success is a higher goal. Success is defined as having done everything within the limits of our ability to become the very best that we are capable of becoming. If we accomplish this, we need never experience shame from defeat. To be defeated by a better team is part of competition. To be defeated because of lack of preparation or lack of desire during the game is unacceptable. Remember, pride is success. Success will produce winning. To develop pride and a winning attitude you must:

In Search of Excellence

1. Act like a Winner. I can't stress enough the importance of handling yourself at all times with class and integrity, especially in the tough times that truly test everyone and usually bring out our worst instincts.

2. Always be positive. Positive people can take on the world.

3. Be committed to hard work. Hard work is not always fun, but it's the price you must pay to be more successful. The harder you work, the tougher it is to surrender.

4. Be nice. Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

5. Avoid having to be right all the time. Your goal is to connect with people, not defeat.

6. Be committed to doing things the right way. Remember that perfect practice makes perfect.

7. Smile! In every culture it is the light in your window that tells people there's a caring, sharing individual inside.

8. Learn to stay relaxed and friendly no matter how much tension you're under.

9. Write down your goals and review them often. When you fail to plan, you are planning to fail by default.

10. Focus all your attention and energy on the achievement of your goals.

11. Don't put things off. Get in the habit every day of doing the more unpleasant things first... If you tell someone you're going to do something, then do it.

12. Eliminate the word quit from your vocabulary. If you want to be successful over the long haul, you must be willing to stay the course... People, who won't quit, don't.

13. Learn from your mistakes. There are four things you should do with a mistake: 1) recognize it, 2) admit it, 3) learn from it, 4) forget it.

14. Be able to admit your weaknesses and establish short-term goals to overcome them.

15. Dress and look your best at all times.

16. Respond with a simple, courteous "thank you" when anyone pays you a compliment for any reason.

17. Sit up front in the most prominent rows when you attend class, meetings, etc.

18. Replace the word "can't" with "can," and "try" with "will" in your vocabulary.


19. Be on time. Always try to be at least ten minutes early.

20. Thrive on pressure. The more you prepare the better able you are to handle pressurized situations. Pressure often brings out extraordinary results.

21. Develop a study routine. Discipline yourself to study 1 to 2 hours a night. Your grades/ performance reflect the amount of time you are willing to invest.

22. Stay humble. Respect and recognition comes from personal sacrifice and hard work.

So, where do you fit into this spectrum of desire? To find out, consider
the following self-assessment scale. Level of Desire Scale
0 percent: I won`t.
10 percent: I can`t.
20 percent: I don`t know how.
30 percent: I wish I could.
40 percent: What is it?
50 percent: I think I might.
60 percent: I might.
70 percent: I think I can.
80 percent: I can.
90 percent: I will.
95 percent: I did it.
100 percent:I did it and I know I can do it again, only this time, even
better!

-My expectations
-Hustle 100% of the time!
-Defense – Defense – and more Defense - Defense Wins Games
-Sportsmanship and team unity
-Everyone is expected to treat one another with respect. Back talk to a coach or another player is completely unacceptable.
-I expect everyone to have FUN!!!

High School Basketball
-Practice is mandatory - no excuses!
-Full participation in all drills.

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team defeated the St. Clair Saints in their MHSAA District Semi-Final, 41-30.  The Cougars played outstanding team defense to get the win.  Dakota is now 17-5 on the season.

The Cougars were led by Rio Dugeon's 14 points and 7 rebounds.  Kylie Townsley was next with 8 points, including a running 3 point shot at the end of the first half!  Kylie Churches came up huge with 7 points and 10 rebounds.  Jessica Mabry scored 5 points and 4 steals.  Olivia Savage added 4 points and 3 assists.  Erica Manduzzi had 3 points.  Kyli Verduci and Markela Snipes played great defense.  Great Job Ladies!

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team defeated the Port Huron Northern Huskies in our MHSAA Districts, 53-36.  Dakota's record is now 16-5 on the season.

The Cougars were led by Rio Dudgeon with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals & 4 blocks.  Kylie Townsley added 11 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists & 6 steals.  Jessica Mabry was next with 10 points & 4 steals.  Erica Manduzzi scored 8 points.  Kylie Churches had 6 points, Kyli Verduci with 3 points, Olga Caruso scored 2 points (in her first varsity game) and Olivia Savage scored 1 point.  Congratulations Ladies!

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team defeated the Port Huron Big Reds, 51-33.  Dakota finishes the regular season at 15-5 and 10-0 at home this season.

The Cougars were led by Rio Dudgeon with a season high 26 points (8 3-pointers to tie a team record).  Next was Jessica Mabry with 7 points, 6 assists and 6 steals.  Alex Hamlock (her first Varsity game) and Kylie Townsley each scored 4 points.  Gina Vetere added 6 rebounds and Kyli Verduci had 5 rebounds.  Meagan Finn had 1 steal.  Thank you very much to our four Seniors Meagan Finn, Jessica Mabry, Erica Manduzzi and Gina Vetere!

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team lost to Utica Ford, 56-41.  The Cougars are now 14-5 overall and 9-3 in the MAC Red.

Dakota was led by Kylie Townsley with 17 points and 6 steals.  Next was Jessica Mabry with 9 points and Rio Dudgeon with 7 points.

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team defeated the Fraser Ramblers in a low scoring game, 33-24.  With this victory the Cougars are now 14-4 overall and 9-2 in the MAC Red.

Dakota was led by the outstanding shooting of Rio Dudgeon with 18 points on 6 3-pointers and 4 steals.  Next was Kylie Churches with 7 points and 8 rebounds.  Olivia Savage (5 steals & 3 assists), Kylie Townsley, Jessica Mabry (3 assists) and Markela Snipes each scored 2 points.  Nice Job Ladies!

The Dakota Varsity Girls Basketball team defeated the Chippewa Valley Big Reds, 62-52.  Dakota is now 13-4 overall and 8-2 in the MAC Red.

The Cougars were led by Erica Manduzzi with 17 points (5-6 at the free throw line).  Next was Kylie Townsley with 11 points and 6 steals.  Rio Dudgeon had 8 points and 6 rebounds.  Olivia Savage had a outstanding floor game with 7 points and 7 assists.  Markela Snipes added 7 points.  Jessica Mabry and Kylie Churches (10 rebounds) each had 6 points.  Congratulations Lady Cougars on a job well done!

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team defeated the Utica Stevenson Titans, 50-38.  With the victory Dakota moves to 12-4 overall and 7-2 in the MAC Red.

The Cougars were led by Olivia Savage (4 assists & 4 steals) and Kylie Churches (14 rebounds) with 9 points each.  Rio Dudgeon scored 8 points and 4 steals.  Markela Snipes and Erica Manduzzi each had 7 points.  Kylie Townsley had another great game with 6 points, 6 steals and 5 rebounds.  Jessica Mabry (3 steals) and Kyli Verduci (2 blocks) each scored 2 points.

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team lost a close battle with the Romeo Bulldogs, 47-42.  The Cougars are now 11-4 overall and 6-2 in the MAC Red.

Dakota was led by Erica Manduzzi with 14 points.  Kylie Churches scored 9 points and 9 rebounds.  Jessica Mabry had a great floor game with 8 points and 7 assists.  Kylie Townsley added 5 points and 10 rebounds.  Rio Dudgeon (5 blocks) and Olivia Savage (3 assists) each scored 3 points.

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team lost to the Grosse Pointe North Noresman, 43-36.  Dakota is now 11-3 overall and 6-1 in the MAC Red.

The Cougars were led by Kylie Townsley with 14 points, 6 steals and 5 rebounds.  Next was Olivia Savage with 7 points and 5 steals.  Kylie Churches added 6 points and 7 rebounds.  Kyli Verduci scored 3 points.

The Varsity Dakota Girl's Basketball team defeated the Anchor Bay Tars, 71-26. Dakota is now 11-2 overall.

The Cougar's were led by Erica Manduzzi with 15 points (5 three-pointers). Next was Kylie Townsley who is really coming through with 13 points, 7 rebounds and 6 steals. Kyli Verduci had a great game with 11 points and 8 rebounds. Once again Kylie Churches played well with 8 points and 7 rebounds. Rio Dudgeon added 7 points, while Olivia Savage scored 5 points and 5 nice assists. Markela Snipes poured in 6 points. Jessica Mabry scored 4 points and 4 steals. Katelynne "Capac" Parisek scored 2 points. Nice Game Cougars!

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team came up victorious vs. the Utica Ford Falcons, 57-42.  With the win the Cougar's now go to 6-0 in the MAC Red and 10-2 overall. 

Dakota was led by Rio Dudgeon with 13 points and 4 blocks.  Next was Kylie Townsley who had an outstanding floor game with 12 points, 6 rebounds & 5 steals.  Erica Manduzzi scored 9 points and 5 steals.  Kylie Churches came up big for us once again with 8 points and 10 rebounds.  Olivia Savage had 7 big points and 5 assists while Jessica Mabry scored 4 points and had a season high of 8 assists.  Rosetta Bryant and Markela Snipes added 2 points each.  Congratulations to our Lady Cougars!

The Varsity Dakota Girl's Basketball team defeated the Fraser Rambler, 38-35 on a Rio Dudgeon 3-Pointer with 5 seconds left.  With the win the Cougars are now 9-2 overall and 5-0 in the MAC Red.

Dakota was led by Kylie Churches with 9 points and 7 rebounds.  Rio Dudgeon and Olivia Savage (4 assists) each had 6 points.  Markela Snipes added 5 points and Kylie Townsley scored 4 points and had 6 steals.  Keep up the Good Work Girl's!

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team defeated the Chippewa Valley Big Reds, 51-43.   The Lady Cougars are now 8-2 overall and 4-0 in the MAC Red.

Dakota was led by Markela Snipes 15 points.  Next was Kylie Churches with 14 points and 11 rebounds.  Miranda Bates added 8 points.  Erica Manduzzi had 5 points.  Jessica Mabry and Olivia Savage both played tremendous defense scoring 3 points each.  Rio Dudgeon had 8 rebounds and 4 blocks.  Keep up the good work Cougars!

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team defeated the Utica Stevenson Titans, 59-42.  The Cougars record is now 7-2 overall and and 3-0 in the MAC Red.

Dakota was led by Rio Dudgeon's best all around game this season with 15 points, 6 rebounds, & 4 blocks.  Kyli Verduci also had her best game of the season with 13 points on 4 key 3-pointers.  Markela Snipes had 7 points in her first game of the season.  Erica Manduzzi (5 rebounds) and Olivia Savage (3 steals & 3 assists) both had 6 points.  Miranda Bates had 5 points and 4 assists.  Jessica Mabry and Gina Vetere both played key factors on the defensive side of the ball.  Keep up the good work Cougars!

In what was the best effort in this season by the Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball Team, the Cougar's defeated the previously undefeated Romeo Bulldogs, 54-26.  Dakota now goes to 6-2 overall and 2-0 in the MAC Red to take over first place.

The Cougar's were led by Rio Dudgeon with 12 points (4 three-pointers).  Next was Miranda Bates with 8 points (5 rebounds), Olivia Savage with 8 points (4 assists) and Erica Manduzzi with 8 points.  Next was Kylie Townsley with 7 points & 6 steals.  Kylie Churches had 5 points and 8 rebounds.  Jessica Mabry scored 4 points.  Gina Vetere added 2 points and 4 rebounds.  Way to Go Lady Cougars!!! 

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team defeated the Grosse Pointe Norsemen, 46-38.  Dakota is now 5-2 and 1-0 in the MAC Red.

The Cougars were led by the strong all around play of Miranda Bates with 17 points and 6 steals.  Next was Rio Dudgeon with 8 points.  Olivia Savage added 7 points and 4 assists, while Kylie Churches scored 5 points and 12 rebounds.  Way to Go Cougars!

The Dakota Cougars Varsity Girl's Basketball team lost to Warren Cousino, 62-42.  The Cougars record is now 4-2.

Dakota was led by Kylie Townsley with 9 points and Miranda Bates with 8 points.  Kylie Churches added 8 points, while Kyli Verduci scored 6 points.

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team defeated the Marysville Vikings, 61-38 in the Christmas Classic Semi-Final Game.  The Lady Cougars are now 3-1 on the season.

Dakota was led by Rio Dudgeon with 19 points.  Next was Kylie Townsley with 11 points and 4 steals.  Jessica Mabry had 7 points & 5 assists.  Miranda Bates poured in 6 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists & 4 steals.  Erica Manduzzi added 5 points, while Olivia Savage and Kylie Churches (10 rebounds) both scored 4 points.  Kyli Verduci had 3 points and Rosetta Bryant scored 2 points.  Good job Ladies!  The Cougars move on to the Finals against Port Huron Northern on Wednesday, 7:00 at Marysville.

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team lost to the Port Huron Northern Huskies, 49-38. The Lady Cougars are now 2-1 on the season.

Dakota was led Kylie Townsley with 14 points and 8 steals.

The Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball team defeated the Utica Chieftains, 55-19.  The Cougars are now 2-0 on the season.

 Dakota was led by Rio Dudgeon with 19 points (4 3-pointers) and 6 blocks.  Miranda Bates had 14 points, 5 rebounds and 7 steals.  Erica Manduzzi added 6 points.  Olivia Savage and Kylie Churches each had 5 points.  Kylie Townsley had a great floor game with 10 steals and 5 rebounds.  Keep up the Good Work Girl's!

Youtube Highlight Link courtesy of Paul Mabry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTlPlL0t-2Y

The Dakota Cougars Varsity Girl's Basketball Team opened up their season by defeating Lakeland by the score of 46-36.  Dakota record is 1-0.

 The Cougars were led by Miranda Bates with 10 points, 5 assists & 4 steals.  Next was Jessica Mabry with 9 points.  Kylie Townsley added 8 points, 5 rebounds & 4 steals.  Kylie Churches scored 8 points & Olivia Savage had 7 points.  Way to go Ladies!

Youtube Highlight Link courtesy of Paul Mabry:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Tmanmabry?feature=mhee#p/a/u/0/qWgS_Gx71iE

2011-12 Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball Schedule Link:

 http://www.macombareaconference.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?cwellOnly=1&G5MID=059193041131008251114048068223233109254210178027077010219120133200054131148036209092243167255148&G5statusflag=view&G5genie=305&G5button=12&vw_type=all&vw_worksheet=1615&school_id=6&school_name_ical=Dakota&&multipleSchools=2

2011-12 Dakota JV Girl's Basketball Schedule Link:

http://www.macombareaconference.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?cwellOnly=1&G5MID=059193041131008251114048068223233109254210178027077010219120133200054131148036209092243167255148&G5statusflag=view&G5genie=305&G5button=12&vw_type=all&vw_worksheet=1616&school_id=6&school_name_ical=Dakota

2011-12 Dakota Freshman Girl's Basketball Schedule Link:

http://www.macombareaconference.org/g5-bin/client.cgi?cwellOnly=1&G5MID=059193041131008251114048068223233109254210178027077010219120133200054131148036209092243167255148&G5statusflag=view&G5genie=305&G5button=12&vw_type=all&vw_worksheet=1630&school_id=6&school_name_ical=Dakota

Thank you to all of the Dakota Varsity Girl's Basketball Players for volunteering your help at the Detroit Capuchin Soup Kitchen.  Great job Girls!

A few of our former Lady Cougar's are playing at the college level.  The links below are to our former player’s, feel free to follow them this season: 

Shantelle Herring - 2009 Dakota Graduate - Madonna University http://www.madonnacrusaders.com/roster/8/5/487.php

LaQwana Dockery - 2010 Dakota Graduate - Adrian College
http://www.adrianbulldogs.com/sports/w-baskbl/2010-11/bios/dockery_laqwana_pyjh

Heather Kehrer - 2010 Dakota Graduate - Macomb Community College http://www.macomb.edu/Community/Athletics/Bios/10-11/Heather+Kehrer.htm

Ashley Thomas - 2010 Dakota Graduate - Macomb Community College http://www.macomb.edu/Community/Athletics/Bios/10-11/Ashley+Thomas.htm

Kaitlyn Downey - 2010 Dakota Graduate - Albion College (Softball) http://www.albion.edu/sports/womens-sports/softball

Good luck to all of our former Dakota Cougars that helped bring us many Championships!