Greater balance in Northwestern A

Bigfork girls look to defend conference title; Eureka moves back to District 8-B

Bigfork and Columbia Falls waged a thrilling dual for last season's Northwestern A girls' basketball crown, with the Valkyries (11-1) finishing a game ahead of the Wildkats (10-2) in the regular season before claiming the divisional tournament.

The conference was top-heavy, however, and no other teams posted winning records.

That disparity should lessen this winter as Whitefish, Libby, Polson and Ronan look to enter the title hunt, while Eureka returns to District 8-B.

Northwestern A's squads debut this week at the 2007 Northwest-Southwest Class A Tip-off Tourney, which runs from Friday to Saturday at Whitefish and Columbia Falls high schools.

Bigfork

The Valkyries are long on experience, returning six regulars from last winter's breakthrough campaign.

They're also tall, versatile and comfortable with one another.

But the most daunting reality for Bigfork's foes may be that the reigning Northwestern A champions remain very hungry.

Bigfork teems with cautious optimism entering Nate Hammond's seventh season as head coach.

"To have six kids that played strictly varsity basketball last year is pretty good," Hammond said.

"It's exciting for us because we have great potential. We're just trying to get better in practice, and we know we're not good enough. We're just like everybody else: We haven't proven anything yet."

Bigfork affirmed plenty last season, placing fourth at state despite one of Class A's smallest enrollments.

The Valkyries lost standout guard Carly Hilley to graduation, but return largely intact.

They're set at the post with 6-foot-2 senior Alyssa Fierro, who led Northwestern A with 2.6 blocks per game last season while averaging 11.9 points and 7.8 rebounds.

Senior Jaylee Haveman (5-10) will see time in the paint and at forward.

Senior forward Charlene Miller (5-8) averaged 5.9 rebounds last season. Sophomore Kailey Fierro (6-0) gives Bigfork another talented option at post and forward.

Senior shooting guard Hattie Bowen (5-8) returns after scoring 10.3 points per game last season and shooting a conference-high 86.1 percent from the free-throw line.

Senior point guard Avery Vogel (5-8) averaged 4.1 assists last season to lead the conference. Vogel also averaged 2.5 steals, tying her for sixth in Northwestern A with junior teammate Roxy Thurman (5-8), who can play any guard position.

Junior Quindee Averill (5-6) and sophomore Emily Hardman (5-7) will see plenty of time in the backcourt.

"We haven't changed too much," Hammond said. "We've got mostly the same personnel, so our system that was set up for the personnel we had last year hasn't changed much.

"We try to get the ball inside as much as we can, but we are hoping to get our guards a little more involved this year on the scoring end of things."

After playing together throughout junior high and JV, Bigfork's upperclassmen know each other's tendencies, as well as their own roles. They also understand that last season's success guarantees nothing this winter.

"We have a little slogan that says, 'Don't let good enough be good enough,' and that's something that we're trying to take care of," Hammond said.

Columbia Falls

One of Columbia Falls' most familiar faces won't play a single minute this season.

Dan Fairbank steps in as Wildkats head coach, assuming the same post he manned from 1996-99.

Fairbank takes over for Kris Salonen, who moves to Glacier after leading Columbia Falls to last season's state tournament.

The Wildkats have some big holes to fill if they look to replicate last year's feats. Beth Karper, Callie Spencer, Mary Nolan, Amber Lampman and Jessica Boyer have graduated.

"There's not a lot of varsity coming back," Fairbank said. "We have the least amount of varsity experience coming back in the conference. I'm just going to have to wait and see how they do."

The Wildkats won't be as nimble as last season's speedy bunch, but they have capable athletes ready to shine at each position.

Sophomore Kelsey DeWitt (6-1) will man the post, along with senior Colyne Hislop (5-9).

Seniors Sam Ladenburg (5-7) and Sarah Marcille (5-8) will make big adjustments, moving to power forward and quick forward, respectively, after spending the last three years at post.

Senior Cortny Westgard (5-8) has the versatility to play either forward spot.

Junior Alyssa Ladenburg (5-5) will run the floor at point guard. Junior Cedar Smith (5-7) and senior Jylisa Fields (5-3) complete the guard rotation.

Fairbank said the Wildkats have less uncertainty on defense than they do on offense.

"The nice thing is (Salonen) did a really solid job with having the girls play very aggressively, so I can go off of her tradition of tenacious defense," he said.

"The kids work very hard and take a lot of pride in their defense. I'm going to have to hang my hat on just being pretty darn good defensively."

Libby

The Lady Loggers ran hot and cold last season, displaying championship-caliber execution one night and so-so play the next.

Libby finished the conference regular season in a three-way tie for fourth place, but fought to a berth in the divisional challenge game, falling to Columbia Falls with a trip to state on the line.

Jim May commences his 12th season as Libby head coach, hoping the Lady Loggers will enjoy more highs this season while suffering fewer letdowns.

"We really had kind of an up-and-down regular season last year," May said. "We lost some games we kind of gave away down the stretch, and had a chance to finish third in the league. Consistency was a problem, and we'll see how it goes this year."

Libby returns most of its main cogs from last season.

Sophomore Jackie Mee (6-0) will play on both the inside and perimeter after averaging 14.5 points and 7.3 rebounds last season. She led Northwestern A in 3-pointers.

Senior Laice Dedrick (5-8) is a strong wing player with the toughness to bang inside. She averaged 7.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists a year ago.

Junior Brittany Martin (5-7) is another valuable wing player, averaging 8.8 points and 2.4 assists last season.

Senior Korey Kulbeck (5-6) and freshman Jamie Gilden (5-10) provide depth on the wing, along with junior Nichole Rios (5-9), a transfer from Olympia, Wash.

Senior point guard Brooke Hageness (5-6) is a dual threat, averaging 2.9 steals and 3.2 assists last season.

Senior Holly Cirian (5-5) will play shooting guard, while senior Sperry Robinson contributes in the backcourt.

May said the Lady Loggers have the best depth he's seen in his tenure, which should aid their preparation.

"We're just trying to put them in more competitive situations in practice," May said. "It's really nice to have the depth in practice to be able to put five good kids against five good kids, and we're much closer this year to being able to do that."

Polson

The Lady Pirates have the speed, athleticism and defense to improve upon last-season's fourth-place conference finish.

That leaves one burning question: Will they be able to put the ball in the basket?

Randy Kelley certainly hopes so, as he enters his first season as Polson's head coach, replacing longtime Lady Pirates mentor Bruce Thomas, who left for Alaska.

Polson loses forwards Brittany Gardner and Angela Schuman to graduation, along with guards Jaelin Vandeberg and Lisa Mathias.

But plenty of talent returns, including 5-foot-11 senior Merilee Mowbray. The nimble Mowbray will start at post, along with hard-nosed junior Sarah Newton (5-9).

Junior Amanda James (5-8) moves from point guard to wing, joining juniors Rochelle Woods (5-9) and Cali Hislop (5-9) and sophomore Nicole Davey (5-9).

Woods, James and Hislop are among the team's best shooters, while Davey is a speedy defender. Hislop may also see time at post.

Senior Jessica Buckless (5-3) takes over at point guard after averaging 3.2 steals last year to lead the conference.

"Basically, we'll have two posts, two wings and a guard," Kelley said. "It's kind of a 3-2 set."

Kelley said the pieces are in place for a successful run, provided the Lady Pirates commit to both ends of the floor.

"I think if we're going to do it, we're going to have to do it defensively," he said. "The offense will come throughout the year, but I think defense is where we'll be able to put more points on the board in transition. We have very good team speed.

"They're a very athletic group. We're going to try to use that to our advantage."

According to Kelley, Polson was unable to consistently establish offensive rhythm and go-to scorers last season.

"We're going to have to find some leaders, scoring-wise," he said. "I think this year we're going to count a little bit more on our defense to help us out offensively."

Ronan

The Maidens placed seventh in Northwestern A last season, finishing 3-9 in conference and 6-14 overall.

Ronan graduated a valuable pair of guards in Stephanie Salomon and Shayla Coutoure, but plenty of talent and experience remains under second-year coach Karla Moxley.

Forward Ishan Wylie averaged 6.4 rebounds last year, and returns to lead a talented group of seniors, including Ali Anderson and Allison Crenshaw.

Ronan's juniors are paced by guard Carli Starkel, who averaged 2.4 assists a year ago, but will miss some early action due to a knee injury. The junior class also includes veterans Kaylee Larson, Jordan Strozzi and Ashlee Cheff, and varsity newcomer Kelsey Clairmont.

Freshmen Taylor Lynch, Alice VanGunten and Mikailah Thompson should see plenty of time as well.

The Maidens' outstanding speed and experience should compensate for their relative lack of height.

Whitefish

Poised for a stellar campaign following last season's third-place Northwestern A finish, the Lady Bulldogs will go as far as their depth takes them.

Head coach Tim Olson is back for his second year after guiding Whitefish to a 6-6 regular season conference mark last winter. The Lady Bulldogs played their best basketball down the stretch, nearly earning a trip to state before falling to Columbia Falls in overtime of the divisional semifinals.

"We had it going there late in the season," Olson said. "A heartbreak loss in the semis at divisionals is still in the minds of these kids.

"We have some unfinished business in trying to get to the state tournament this year."

Whitefish lost post Kaitlyn O'Leary to graduation, along with guards Kali Schmidt and Kirsten Blackburn. But the cupboard remains loaded.

A Montana Lady Griz recruit, senior guard Ashley Ferda (5-6) leads a talented backcourt, along with seniors Chelsea Ray (5-7) and Desiree Clarke (5-4) and junior Kate Klundt (5-8).

Ferda was Northwestern A's leading scorer last season, averaging 17.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.7 steals.

Senior Dana Labuda (5-9) moves from the post to forward, making room for senior Amanda Ormsby (5-9).

Ormsby suffered a knee injury midway through her sophomore season, and has anxiously awaited her chance to play again. She underwent further surgery during the summer, rendering her ready to roll.

"Everybody in the program is rooting for her," Olson said.

Juniors Torie Powell (5-8) and McCara Cullen (5-8) should play extensively at forward.

The Lady Bulldogs are keeping with their high-octane approach.

"We've really been emphasizing pushing the ball up the floor," Olson said. "We want to make it a possession game where we hopefully get more possessions than the other team by forcing turnovers in the full court and turning them into layups on the other end."

That philosophy will tax the Lady Bulldogs physically, meaning Whitefish must rely on strong bench play.

"I think we've got great leadership from those five seniors - some experience from last year's team," Olson said. "I guess we're hanging our hat on developing that sixth, seventh, eighth player down the stretch so we can play a deep, up-tempo game."

Eureka

Eureka held its own in Class A last season, tying for fourth place in the Northwestern A.

That sojourn should aid the Lady Lions as they return to District 8-B.

"From a numbers standpoint, we're where we should be," said fourth-year head coach John Hammond.

"I think it was a good experience for us playing against the increased speed and increased intensity (of Class A). The game's faster than what B normally is."

Current Montana Grizzlies volleyball player Amy Roberts will be nearly impossible to replace, as will speedy guard April Paden.

But junior post Mariah Newell (5-11) is back after sinking 44.6 percent of her 2-pointers last year and averaging 2.3 steals per game, as is senior forward/post Melanie Finch (5-8), who averaged 2.6 steals last season.

"She's real aggressive," Hammond said of Finch. "She gets after loose balls. She's a good one to have."

A trio of sophomores will vie for time in the frontcourt. Cami Stacy (5-11) gives the Lady Lions a tall option at post, while Stephanie Vogelman (5-8) can play forward or post, and Marni Zauner (5-7) will see time at the 3 and perhaps the 4.

Junior Auna Lawler (5-6) moves to shooting guard after playing point guard last season. Eureka boasts a deep backcourt, including senior Rica Fils (5-5), sophomore Tayler Holder (5-7), sophomore Carly Hammond (5-7) and junior Kayci West (5-6).

"It's nice to be able to interchange those kids, or, if we get in foul trouble, make those moves and not have to hide somebody," Hammond said. "They're young, but I expect big things from them."

Eureka goes from having Northwestern A's smallest enrollment to District 8-B's largest. But handicapping the district title race is tough after a year away.

"It's frustrating because I don't know (much about the other teams) since we were up last year," Hammond said. "It's like moving up last year: The first time through, it was tough to prepare for anybody because we hadn't seen them."