Lady Bobcats look to gain experience

The Superior Lady Bobcat team of 2012 went undefeated during the regular season due largely to a high-speed defensive assault combined with fast-break shooting.

As this year’s summer league is progressing, Head Coach Jeff Schultz is seeing similarities between the current squad and the undefeated team of 2012.

“I think we are going to be more what we were like two years ago in regards to tempo,” Coach Schultz said. “We are going to try to push the ball as much as possible. We want to be physical and fast – those are my goals. We are going to put up a lot of shots – we might not make them all but we are going to try to get more shots then them. ”

Coach Schultz began preparing for summer league and the 2014 season shortly after the 2013 season concluded by offering the Lady Bobcats a chance to come into the gym prior to school every morning to shoot around. Several of the players took the offer to heart and are beginning to see the results of their efforts.

“The girls came in and shot during the mornings and boy I can see the difference,” Coach Schultz said. “They worked hard enough and they are now in the spotlight, they are in the main rotation.”

One of the players that took advantage of the early morning shoot-around opportunities is Michele Smith –who said the time in the gym and playing in summer league is important to the team’s development.

“The most important part is getting more experience. Not only with plays and skills but players as well,” Smith said. “The bonding time and getting to know one another really helps us become a team. You have so much time to get better and not only play basketball but it’s a lot of fun with your friends.”

For Coach Schultz, summer league is a chance for his squad to discover their roles on the team.

“The big thing is, in the summer it’s hard to tell the girls not to shoot, we are probably rushing our shots quite a bit and not working the ball around,” Coach Schultz said. “But we have to find people who are going to be shooters for the season so right now it’s like go ahead and let her fly – get some confidence and become a shooter.”

The Lady Bobcats played in Ronan Friday and Saturday at a tournament where they went up against several Division A and B schools from throughout the state, which according to Coach Schultz is very important during summer league.

“I schedule very few C teams throughout the summer because when you play tougher opponents it makes them raise their game,” Coach Schultz said. “If we came in here and beat up on a weaker team every time you think you are good. Then you go against these teams like Twin Bridges and Drummond and we get the crap kicked out of us because we think we are good but we’re not.”

Superior will play in approximately 32 games this summer including tournaments in Washington and West Yellowstone.