AA basketball: New coach in charge of Bravette

There’s a new face leading Flathead girls basketball this season.

Karly Tait coached the Bravettes to their first state tournament appearance in five years last winter but she resigned in April.

Now Lisa Hendrickson is in charge and she inherits a roster lacking height and experience, but full of energy and enthusiasm. Hendrickson spent eight years as an assistant women’s basketball coach at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Wash., before leaving that post for the Flathead job.

“Everything’s kind of new, but I would definitely say we’ve got a small team that has to play hard and run the floor,” Hendrickson said.

“I would say that’s the kind of offense we’ll have to run.”

Only three returning players saw significant varsity playing time a year ago, but two are returning starters, 5-foot-8 senior guard Emma Andrews and 5-11 senior post Jenessa Heine. Andrews was an all-state performer last season, finishing fourth in Class AA with 13.1 points per game and 2.9 steals per game. Heine averaged 8.1 points and 5.8 rebounds.

“Because they’re returning I would say they’re kind of our nuts and bolts,” Hendrickson said.

A three-sport star, Andrews creates matchup problems with her athleticism on both ends of the court.

“She gives people fits on defense because she’s long and athletic, it’s kind of hard to get by her,” Hendrickson said. “She’s a good defender, she sees the floor well on offense and she’s got a good mid-range jumper so she’s kind of a hard matchup for people.”

Heine is Flathead’s only experienced post player.

“She’s a huge asset,” Hendrickson said.

“Having someone who can bang in the post and really be that post presence down low is important. She’s got some solid post moves even though she’s short.”

Playing time at other positions, including point guard, is up for grabs.

“They are lacking experience, but hopefully we can get the bugs worked out in the preseason,” Henrickson said.

“We’re definitely going to have some ups and downs with the lack of playing time on the court.

“The biggest thing is working as a team and not having a lot of individuals. I would like to play more than five or six players. Running the floor and playing as a team is what’s important to me.”

One of Flathead’s strengths a year ago was its full-court press, which it used to frustrate bigger opponents. The catalyst of that press, point guard Dani Davis, has graduated but the Bravettes should still have the athleticism to pull off an effective full-court game.

“I think we’re going to have to utilize the press for sure,” Hendrickson said.

“I think we’re going to have to be a little more versatile than they’ve been in the past, but the press is definitely going to have be in the (arsenal).

Last year’s Bravettes finished fourth in the Western AA conference before going 0-2 at the state tournament.

Flathead opens its season today at Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. It’s first home game is Jan. 3 against Libby.