Girls tip off hoops season tomorrow

BONNERS FERRY — The BFHS girls basketball teams completed tryouts, and are now practicing for their first game coming up on Friday, Nov. 17, as the Badgers host St. Maries.

“The tryouts went well, and the girls all had great attitudes and good work ethic,” said Coach Travis Hinthorn.

The varsity team finished off the tryouts with seniors Kassy Skeen, Kadi Bateman, Miranda Wenk and Tori Burt. The juniors who made the team are Jerzie Pluid, Emily Blackmore, Maecie Liermann, and Leilani Ram, with freshman Holly Ansley bringing the heat.

“Senior captain Kassy Skeen has been a great leader this summer and right into the season. She is always the first to practice and one of the last to leave,” said Hinthorn. “Kadi Bateman is very skilled, and is beginning to take more of a leadership role. Miranda Wenk is very athletic and should make large contributions both offensively and defensively while Holly Ansley gives us a strong ball handler and a great work ethic.”

With the goals to increase team spirit and getting used to the new coaches, the team has been handling new concepts with each practice and striving to get the little things correct.

“We are excited about our first game this Friday, which will give us a chance to see our strengths and also where we need to focus,” said Hinthorn, whose wife and himself have made a coaching comeback.

“I’m excited to be back coaching basketball at the high school level after being gone the past four years. My wife is also excited to be back at the high school level coaching Junior Varsity after taking a break while our kids were young, and then coaching middle school the last four years.”

With good offense and defense, these girls strive to keep their eyes on the prize and finish the season doing their best to win.