Red Lake Honored as "Atlanta Dream High School Team of the Week"

ATLANTA (Feb. 11, 2016) - The Atlanta Dream has selected Red Lake Senior High School in Red Lake, Minn., as this week's recipient of the "Addie" Award. The honor is presented weekly during the WNBA offseason to a girls' high school basketball team that exhibits exceptional on-court performance, academic achievement and an unquestioned passion to advance the sport.

The Red Lake High Lady Warriors have been a model of excellence both on and off the court this season and are a huge source of pride for the Native American community they represent. The school is located on the Red Lake Indian Reservation on which members of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa (Ojibwe) Indians reside. All students at Red Lake High take classes in Ojibwe language classes and have the opportunity to learn Ojibwe traditions from community elders.

The Atlanta Dream's own Shoni Schimmel, a fellow Native American, has visited the school in the past and is among one of the program's top supporters.

The Lady Warriors currently boast an overall record of 17-6 and have captured the majority of their wins by a 25-point or larger margin. Red Lake leads Section 8A (Minnesota Class 1A) and recently enjoyed a season-best eight-game winning streak.

In the classroom the team has excelled as well, boasting a combined team grade-point average of 3.0, led by Samantha Roy and Tanisha Beaulieu, each of which are members of the school's academic honor roll.

In the community, the Lady Warriors assist with a number of events including organizing and serving a Christmas dinner for the elderly, working the community soup line and decorating the reservation's cultural center for community events.

The Atlanta Dream would like to congratulate Sam Roy, Angel McCain, Danielle Seki, Alexis Desjarlait, Grace White, Averi Holthusen, Tanisha Beaulieu, Suanne Crowe and Sidney Beaulieu for their exceptional efforts and for earning this week's Atlanta Dream Girls' High School Basketball Team of the Week Award. Red Lake High School is led by head coach Randy Holthusen.

The award was inspired by Lakeview High School (Ohio) 2016 team captain and senior Addison Becker. Becker contacted the Dream about her concern for the lack of coverage and recognition she perceived regarding the accomplishments of female high school athletic programs in her area, as well as nationally.

The passion Miss Becker displayed in wanting to be a part of creating awareness and fostering change was unquestioned, so the franchise has decided to name the Atlanta Dream's Girls' High School Basketball Team of the Week Award as the "Addie," to recognize her commitment in bringing more attention to the dedication, talent and accomplishments of female athletes.

"I am writing because something has come to my attention that I feel can no longer be simply ignored," Becker wrote. "I play basketball for myself and for the love of the game. However I have noticed that less girls are picking up a basketball in our community. I feel this is due to the lack of attention, recognition and most importantly the support they receive. Female athletes are just as dedicated as their male counterparts and I feel it is time young people brought attention to this matter. I want to change this mindset and what is now a social normality, so I am reaching out for help."

The Dream will honor one team a week moving forward during the high school girls' basketball season. Each winner will receive 10 complimentary tickets to the May 22 season opener vs. Chicago and be recognized on-court at Philips Arena and the 2016 Atlanta Dream Girls' High School Basketball Team of the Year will be recognized.

In addition, each weekly winner will enjoy a postgame meet and greet with a Dream player on May 22 as well as a visit by Atlanta Dream mascot "Star" to their school.

To nominate your team for the honor, please visit AtlantaDream.net or CLICK HERE for the nomination form.

Atlanta Dream season tickets are available now by logging for more information on at Atlanta Dream Membership Central or clicking HERE to buy directly via Ticketmaster.

The three-time Eastern Conference Champion Atlanta Dream is entering its ninth season in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).

The Dream plays their home games at Philips Arena. Atlanta has qualified for the playoffs six times, winning conference titles in 2013, 2011 and 2010.

Special thanks to Barb Beaulieu for nominating the team.