Lady Crusaders going for 4
Flathead Valley Home School has won 3 straight titles
The research on this one might be a bit sketchy, but according to Flathead Valley Home School girls' coach Paul Zemke, no team has ever won four straight Montana Christian Athletic Association state basketball titles.
That's boys or girls.
"Not that I know of," he said.
"The boys (FVHS) made it to three straight (2003-05)."
That could all change on Saturday in Helena.
The Lady Crusaders will vie for their fourth straight state title at Carroll College. They have compiled a 22-2 mark thus far and were undefeated in Western division MCAA play this season.
"I do like our chances," Zemke said.
"Next year, we will be even better than this year."
The Lady Crusaders are led by Zemke's talented daughter, Charity. The 5-foot-3 senior point guard is averaging 22 points, 10.6 steals and 3.5 assists per game.
She has been named the MCAA State Tournament MVP the last two years, and has been a FVHS starter since eighth grade. She's also the only senior on the team.
Junior Danae Sheeran, a 5-11 1/2 center, is a three-year starter, along with junior Jenna Sladek, a 5-6 1/2 shooting guard/small forward.
Rounding out the starting lineup are first-year starters Hannah Rajkowski, a 5-6 junior off-guard, and 5-6 freshman small forward Shelby Sladek.
"Offensively, I've always had the philosophy that we have five attackers," coach Zemke said.
"So if they double team Charity and Danae, the other three can come in and attack at any time."
FVHS opens tournament play today at 2:35 p.m. versus Gallatin Valley Home School. That's also the opening day's final game.
Stillwater Christian School, the No. 2 seed from the West division, plays Foothills Community Christian School at 10:20 a.m. in the girls' opener.
The Lady Crusaders defeated Gallatin Valley twice during the regular season - 41-33 on Nov. 24 and 60-40 on Dec. 8. Zemke was the team's leading scorer in both contests with 14 points and 13 steals and 23 points and 17 steals, respectively.
Sheeran also reached double-figure scoring in both games with 11 and 15 points.
"They have a center (Kimberly DeGroot) that's pretty tall (6-2)," coach Zemke said.
"She's real graceful underneath. She's a great shot blocker."
The Lady Crusaders look to neutralize DeGroot with their fastbreak offense.
"We like to get down there before she sets up," coach Zemke said.
"We never let them get strong down low defensively - make sure she doesn't play in their half-court offense."
FVHS was undefeated a year ago, going 28-0. The Lady Crusaders finished 15-3 in 2006 and 23-1 in 2005.
In coach Zemke's first season (2004), the Lady Crusaders finished with a 16-5 mark and took third place at state. That also was the program's first winning season.
Zemke also has had three players named to the MCAA All-Tournament Team every year he has coached.
Stillwater compiled a 12-11 overall mark, including 4-2 in division play. The Cougars finished the season losing three of four games.
"We ended up with some pretty tough games," first-year coach Denise Topp said. "All close games."
The Cougars have three seniors in the starting lineup, led by top scorer Nichole Danz, a 5-7 shooting guard. She is averaging 12 points and is the team's leading 3-point shooter, hitting 32 percent of her trey attempts.
Danz is Stillwater's lone returning starter.
Amanda Nichols (5-6 point guard) and Sarah Meerkatz (5-6 guard) are both averaging about five rebounds.
Abby Smith (5-8 junior post) and Dana Topp (5-6 sophomore guard) complete the starting unit.
"I'm hoping we all come together and start firing on all cylinders," Topp said.
"Out of a six-cylinder car, we're probably firing on four. We're just hoping when we get to state, the other two will click in."
Stillwater and Foothills did not meet during the regular season.