Flathead, Glacier begin hoop rivalry
At least one thing appears certain regarding tonight's Flathead-Glacier basketball doubleheader: You better get there early.
Kalispell's Class AA high schools square off for the first time, setting the tone for a crosstown tradition that will be renewed at least twice per season.
The girls tip off at 6 p.m., followed by the boys at 8, but seats aren't likely to last that long - even in Glacier's spacious gym. Glacier activities director Mark Dennehy said 200-300 fans will be allowed to line the rail of the track overlooking the court, bringing capacity from 2,750 to about 3,000.
Fans prompt - or lucky - enough to find spots will be treated to high-energy hoops with Western AA implications.
The Flathead Bravettes (2-2 conference, 7-5 overall) played their best basketball of the season last week in a home sweep of Helena High and Helena Capital. The Glacier girls (0-5, 1-12) are still seeking their first Western AA win after playing Capital and Missoula Hellgate tight in recent outings.
With nine seniors on their roster, the Bravettes, averaging 60.8 points per game while allowing 54.5, look to force mistakes and dictate the game's tempo with their relentless offensive
pace and defensive pressure. In other words, it will be business as usual.
"That's just what we do against everybody," Bravettes coach Kim Elliott said. "We just need to really clean up what we do."
The Bravettes will start four guards (Kali Radel, Ally Krautbauer, Kendalyn Habel and Meghan O'Connell) and a post (Kaylyn Heaton), and lean on their talented bench to sustain their recent momentum.
Habel leads Class AA in scoring at 20.3 points per game and ranks second in rebounding with 9.4 boards per contest. Heaton averages 7.0 rebounds, while O'Connell tallies 2.8 assists.
"The biggest challenge is to not let the emotions get into it, and to just play like we do," Elliott said.
Coaching against the Bravettes figures to be emotional for Wolfpack coach Doug Hashley.
"I coached seven of those seniors on my (Flathead) freshman team when we were undefeated three years ago, so it's kind of a hard game for me," he said. "To be on the other side of the coin with them is going to be a little different, but they'll always hold a special place in my heart."
The Wolfpack, averaging 37.8 points per contest while allowing 57.0, will start guards Ashlee Waggener and Sydney Sharaf, forwards Kayla Smart and Lindsea Vaudt, and post Emilee Hashley (averaging 12.3 points and 7.1 rebounds), who was honorable mention all-state at Flathead last winter.
Coach Hashley said the Wolfpack must handle the Bravettes' man pressure and limit their fast breaks to remain competitive. Habel, O'Connell and guard Ashley Younkin are among Class AA's steal leaders, averaging 4.4, 3.5 and 3.2, respectively.
"They just have awesome athleticism," coach Hashley said said. "They make runs at you with their full-court press, and they do it well."
The Braves (9-3 overall) are ranked fourth in Class AA, but they're off to a 1-3 start in conference, rendering tonight's game important for more than bragging rights.
"We understand - and I've told the kids this - it's the first time ever between Flathead and Glacier in boys' basketball, and it's great excitement to have, but at the same time, it's a conference game, and that's what gets the priority," Braves coach Fred Febach said.
The Braves are averaging 57.3 points in conference play while allowing 63.3. The Wolfpack is scoring 57.0 points per Western AA contest while allowing 73.4.
Flathead's loaded lineup starts with forwards Brock Osweiler and Connor Cavigli, guards Danny Salois and Jake Thiesen, and post Josh Harris. Salois leads the Braves with 3.3 assists per game, followed by Osweiler with 3.0.
The Braves' entire frontcourt stands at least 6-foot-4, including Osweiler at 6-foot-8. Osweiler is third in Western AA scoring (19 ppg), first in rebounding (13.3 rpg) and first in blocks (2.75 bpg), while Harris averages 6.0 rebounds and 1.75 blocks.
But Wolfpack coach Mark Harkins said the Braves' brawn isn't all that sets them apart.
"I think their depth is what you really have to look at," he said. "They bring guys in off the bench that can play great for them. They are 10, 12 deep, so you can't just wear down their first five."
The Braves look to limit Glacier's potent duo of guard Ben Cutler and forward Shay Smithwick-Hann. Cutler leads the conference in scoring (21.2 ppg) and steals (2.2 spg). Smithwick-Hann is eighth in scoring (13.6 ppg), fifth in rebounding (8.2 rpg) and sixth in blocks (1.40 bpg).
"It's not very often you're going to find a first-year program with two kids who can score like that," Febach said.
"We've got to make them work for their shots. We've got to make them work just to get open. If we can do that, that certainly helps us control the tempo of the game."
Post Mike Rasmussen and guards Ben Sansaver and Connor Fuller (2.4 apg) complete Glacier's starting lineup.
"I think they've been looking forward to this one for a little while," Harkins said. "They've been excited about it, and I'm sure they've all had it circled on their calendar.
"The energy's going to be through the roof. As coaches, it might be our job to get them to a level where they can play and focus and execute."
The Braves and Wolfpack (0-5, 3-10) meet again next month, and could clash in the postseason. But according to Febach, there's nothing like the first time.
"It's fun to be part of the first time for anything, and in sports in particular," he said. "No matter the outcome, it's something everybody's going to remember, and I hope that it's a pleasant memory for us."
Crosstown Doubleheader
Today's Starting Lineups
Girls (6 p.m.)
Flathead Bravettes (2-2 Western AA, 7-5 overall)
Kali Radel (5-7, Sr. guard)
Ally Krautbauer (5-9, Sr. guard)
Kendalyn Habel (5-7, Sr. guard)
Meghan O'Connell (5-7, Sr. guard)
Kaylyn Heaton (6-0, Sr. post)
Glacier Wolfpack (0-5 Western AA, 1-12 overall)
Ashlee Waggener (5-6, Fr. guard)
Sydney Sharaf (5-2, So. guard)
Kayla Smart (5-9, Jr. forward)
Lindsea Vaudt (5-9, Jr. forward)
Emilee Hashley (6-0, Jr. post)
Boys (8 p.m.)
Flathead Braves (1-3 Western AA, 9-3 overall)
Danny Salois (5-10, Jr. guard)
Jake Thiesen (5-11, Sr. guard)
Connor Cavigli (6-4, Sr. forward)
Brock Osweiler (6-8, Jr. forward)
Josh Harris (6-5, Sr. post)
Glacier Wolfpack (0-5 Western AA, 3-10 overall)
Ben Sansaver (5-9, Jr. guard)
Ben Cutler (5-10, Jr. guard)
Connor Fuller (5-10, So. guard)
Shay Smithwick-Hann (6-4, So. forward)
Mike Rasmussen (6-2, Jr. post)