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Have you ever given all you’ve got and in the end it still isn’t enough? That’s been this year’s theme for the 1998 Bravettes basketball team. Their overall record is 9-10, and their league record is 2-9.
But that doesn’t really matter. The Bravettes’ record doesn’t indicate the quality of basketball they are capable of playing.
“We’re capable of beating any team in the state if we play together like we did against Whitefish,” said sophomore Erica Wieferich. “We have to play the best we can each game, not to the level of the competition.”
Sometime during Thanksgiving week the Bravettes will face a play-off game. If they win, they will be automatically boosted into the state tournament in Butte, Dec. 3-5. They will most likely host Missoula Hellgate on Tuesday Nov. 24.
Despite their record, the Bravettes are not easy on the competition. Many of the games the Bravettes have lost this year have been within a five-point margin — some against the top ranked teams in the state. Such was the case when the Bravettes lost to third-ranked Helena High Bengals 48-49 on Oct. 24 at home.
“We’re trying to be confident, but those losses are heartbreaking,” said senior Jessica Loutherback. “I cried after the game against Helena, because we were so close to winning.”
One thing the Bravettes need to improve is rebounding if they are going to make the state tournament. The Bravettes rank third to last in this category out of 13 schools as of Nov. 1.
“Our rebounding and decision making need to be better if we want to go to state,” said senior Rebekah Lenoch. “We’ve been giving the other teams too many opportunities.”
The Bravettes got back in the win column on Nov. 7 against Butte in a close contest. A two- point basket by Jessica Loutherback with under a minute to go and the Bravettes leading by one, put the Bravettes in the driver’s seat.
“At half-time we (the team) decided if we wanted to turn the season around, this had to be the game,” said Loutherback.
The Bravettes close out regular season play at home Saturday night, Nov. 21, against Missoula Hellgate.
“We need to keep our intensity at the end of the game and not let down,” said senior Shalene Liddle. “We have to play to win, not to lose.” |
