Hot Springs looks to match last year

Danielle Switalski

After placing fourth in the State Tournament last year, the best finish in Hot Springs history with a record of 25-3, the Lady Heat are ready to do it again this basketball season.

Last season the Lady Heat did not see a loss in their record until the State tournament, where they lost twice to Twin Bridges, who ultimately took third place in State and once to High Bridge, the team that won the State tournament.

Although the team has some crucial spots to fill, especially after losing all state guard, Matea DePoe. All-state point guard MacKenzie Wood and all-conference forward, Randi Arnold, the only two returning starters, will be a big asset to the team’s success for the season.

Head Coach Scott Wigton said this will be one of the smaller teams in recent years, however, they will have some height with six foot Junior Meghan Massingale.

“We will be very physical and we will have to improve on our rebounding, which is going to be very important in getting second chance opportunities on the offensive end,” said Wigton.

Wigton suspects this year’s team will not be quite as fast as last year’s, however, the Lady Heat will put a lot of defensive pressure on their opponents using both full and half court press. In filling the key positions from last year, it will be crucial for the girls to know how pressure defense works and being able to work the zone defense.

“We live and die by the two-three zone,” said Wigton who added that the girls are good enough basketball players where they will be able to change zone defenses based on which press they will be using and throw different things at their opposing teams, however, the two three zone will be their main defensive strategy.

As for their overall strategy, Wood is stressing taking one game at a time for the girls, which is a strategy that helped the girls stay focused last season.

Despite the successful year the Lady Heat had last year, having Wood back will be key as she was Hot Springs leading scorer. Also, Devon White came through late in the season and showcased her abilities at the State tournament. Wigton said he expects nothing less from her this season.

As far as competition goes, Wigton already has both Plains and Charlo, their main rivals, circled on the calendar.

For now, the Lady Heat is setting their focus on Thompson Falls, the first team they will face of the season at the Sanders County tournament December 11. Hot Springs has not met Thompson Falls on the court for seven years.

“Year in and year out Coach Reimer (T Falls Head Coach) has them playing very competitive basketball and I love to see them back on the schedule, which will help us in the long run,” said Wigton.

Fourteen girls turned out for the first basketball meeting, a promising number for the start of the season.

“Richard Jackson (assistant coach) and I are excited about the opportunities in front of us, with Class C basketball you play the hand that is dealt,” said Wigton.