AA basketball preview: Glacier girls to rely on Hashley
Returning the leading scorer and rebounder in the state and a talented surrounding cast, the Glacier girls basketball team is on solid foundation entering the new season.
The Wolfpack, which will again focus on its strong defense and interior play, boast one of the state’s top players in senior center Cassi Hashley, who averaged more than 14 points and 12 rebounds a game last season to lead the state in each category — including averaging 20 points and 15 rebounds in two games at the state tournament. Hashley, committed to play at Carroll College next season, will once again find herself at the middle of the Glacier game plan.
“I’m just really looking forward to seeing her play Friday night,” Glacier coach Kris Salonen said. “It’s gonna be fun. She’s stronger, she’s playing with a ton of confidence.
“She’s a big part of our offense. We have such a well-rounded team this year. We’ve got that opportunity to do a lot of things.”
Sophomore point guard Hailee Bennett also figures to have a big year after bursting on to the scene to start as a freshman. Bennett, voted honorable mention all-conference in her rookie season, and has improved her game in the offseason.
“Hailee is scoring the ball really well this year. I think last year as a freshman she was still learning her role on the team. She’s playing with a lot of confidence now. I think she’s going to score quite a bit.
The Wolfpack also hopes to see heavy contribution from juniors Katie Wiley, a lanky, ultra-athletic wing player; Taylor Loomis, a speedy guard; and senior forward Hannah Atlee. Wiley and Atlee were two of the top defenders on the team a season ago and will be key on offense this season.
Glacier needs its perimeter players to score more this season to relieve defensive pressure on the post. With the Wolfpack mired in a shooting slump last season, many opposing teams chose to crowd the basket, eventually slowing the Glacier offense to a halt.
“It made it easier for teams to beat us,” Salonen said.
“They’d pack it in and say, ‘Hey, I dare you (to shoot).’ I think this year if they try to do the same thing they’re going to find out we’re a better shooting team.”
Bennett, Wiley and Loomis each have improved their shooting from a season ago, Salonen said. The Wolfpack also will get contributions from sophomores Taylor Salonen and Katie Thomas off the bench. Ali Williams, Tessa Krueger and Brielle Bumgarner are all expected to see time in relief of Hashley in the post.
Glacier’s depth will be tested in conference, with many of the state’s top teams competing for supremacy in the West. Defending state champion Missoula Sentinel returns the majority of its team from a year ago, including future Division I players in center Olivia Roberts (Wyoming) and guard Maddie Keast (Montana). Helena Capital, which finished second last season, returns future Carroll post Michaela Dowdy and a field of talented players around her.
“It’s gonna be another battle,” Salonen said. “Everybody is getting better in our conference. There’s definitely some teams in our conference that are going to be a force to go against.”
The Wolfpack opens its season on the road, tipping off at Great Falls C.M. Russell at 7:30 tonight.