Seniors lead the way

By FAITH MOLDAN

Bigfork Eagle

What does it mean when a team loses just three players to graduation after advancing to the state tournament?

The Bigfork High School girls' basketball team will find the answer to that question in the next four months. During that time the Vals, who finished the season last year with a 20-4 record and conference and divisional champion titles as well as a fourth-place finish at state, will be led by five seniors. All five played last year and return with knowledgeable varsity experience.

Head Coach Nate Hammond, in his seventh year coaching the Vals' varsity team, said he doesn't think last season will have much of an effect on the Vals this year.

"Records don't carry over, and we will be forced to prove we are better every game we play," he said. "We will get everyone's best shot, and if we are not ready, we will lose just like anyone else."

Hammond added that the role of the seniors is big, though. Each plays a significant and specific role for the Vals.

"Alyssa Fierro is a prescence for us," Hammond said.

The Vals' leading scorer stands 6-foot 2-inches tall, and according to Hammond changes the dynamic of games.

"She forces teams to focus on her, which frees up other kids," he said.

Fierro scored 309 points for the Vals last season, making 131 of 249 two-point attempts and 47 of 97 free throws.

"She also changes teams' offensive schemes," Hammond said. "She is tough to shoot over."

Hammond cited one of the Vals' matchups against Polson last year as an example of the effect Fierro has on other teams. The Lady Pirates scored six 3-point baskets in the game and only two two-point baskets.

Fierro also led the Vals in rebounds and blocks last season. She tallied 52 blocks and grabbed 211 rebounds. Seventy-six of those were offensive.

Charlene Miller was second in rebounding for the Vals. She pulled down 124 rebounds. Fifty were offensive.

"Charlene is everyone's favorite player to watch," Hammond said. "She works so hard out there and is our best defender."

Hammond added that Miller, who also scored 152 points last season on 61-of-128 two-pointers, 2-of-7 3-pointers and 28-of-49 free throws, does the dirty work for the Vals by making the hustle plays.

"She has more fun doing those things than anyone I have coached," Hammond said.

Miller was third in 3-point shooting with 28.6 percent. She is bested in that category only by fellow senior Hattie Bowen and sophomore Emily Hardman.

Bowen, who Hammond said is the one most likely to make the outside shots, made 24-of-82 3-point attempts last year.

"Hattie plays with a lot of heart," Hammond said. "She makes big shots and keeps teams reeling on defense."

Bowen's perimeter play frees up Fierro inside and tires other teams.

"When teams get tired, she forces them to defend. If they can't defend her, they foul, and she will knock the free throws down."

Bowen made 75-of-92 free throws last season while dishing out 34 assists and grabbing 40 steals. She finished the season with 81.5 percent free-throw shooting and was also the team's second leading scorer with 231 points.

The Vals' other returning point guard, Avery Vogel, led the team in assists with 93.

"Avery is our catalyst," Hammond said. "She forces tempo and makes teams rush back on defense.

"She keeps her teammates alert and active. They know if they get open at all she might hit them with a pass. She forces tempo. We play better up tempo," Hammond said.

Only 15 of Vogel's 104 rebounds were offensive last year, as she crashed the defensive boards the rest of the time. Vogel snagged 53 steals for the Vals.

Another threat from the Vals may not be recognized by other teams right away. At 5-foot 10-inches, Hammond said that Jaylee Haveman is the Vals' most gifted athlete.

"She can play any position. Some of the plays she makes are unbelievable and so natural."

Haveman, who played wing much of the season last year, made 51-of-127 field goals and 24-of-50 free throws for 127 points. She made 1-of-6 3-point attempts.

Haveman's height and jumping ability allow her to defend post players like Dillon's 6-foot 2-inch post in the state tournament. Hammond said she can also defend and play the perimeter, which can create problems for other teams.

"She creates match-up problems. It is nice to know we still have enough size, even when Alyssa needs a break."

Her height and jumping ability also allowed her to grab 94 rebounds and record 11 blocks.

"We expect our seniors to be leaders," Hammond said of the five girls that have being playing basketball together since eighth grade. "They'll never get this chance again, and this year will be what they make of it.

"I need them to be leaders and role models on the game floor, the classroom, and the practice floor."

The mix of the seniors' knowledge of the system, experience and maturity with underclassmen that have two or three years varsity experience opens up options for the Vals and Hammond.

"That should make it very exciting," Hammond said. "If they can bring the underclassmen along too, the sky is the limit."