Thompson Falls Lady Hawks have lofty expectations
Thompson Falls girls basketball coach Chadd Laws instructs his players during a recent practice. (Chuck Bandel/Valley Press)
An energetic coach and a solid group of proven players make for high expectations for a team that went 19-5 last year and finished third in the Montana Western B Girls playoffs.
With a pair of talented senior leaders paving the way, the Thompson Falls Lady Blue Hawks are preparing for a season they hope will meet or exceed those lofty prognostications.
Long-time Thompson Falls coach Chadd Laws, who for several years had success as coach of the boys team, is now entering year No. 2 at the helm of the Lady Blue Hawks.
He is pleased with what he sees in the early stages of pre-season practices.
“We have a great group of kids here,” Laws said during a break in what are lively and spirited practices. “We should be pretty good”.
That may become an understatement as the season progresses.
Heading the list of returnees for the 2021 season are seniors Jody Detlaff and Megan Baxter. Detlaff, one of the Blue Hawks standout volleyball players now prepping for the basketball season, averaged 12 points and nine rebounds a game last year. She was named to the All-conference 7B first team.
Baxter had even more dazzling stats during the 2019-20 season. The senior post averaged 15 points per outing, snared an average 11 rebounds a game and was named to the Class B All-State team as a junior. She also earned first team all-conference honors.
Sophomore Ellie Baxter returns after contributing 12 points and three assists per game and being named to the all-conference second team.
“Our strengths this year will be team speed, experience, our inside/outside game and overall team chemistry,” Laws said. “We should be really good in the transition game.”
Laws runs a very up-tempo practice, at one point admonishing the team, “hey girls, where’s our music” in reference to the tunes that ring throughout the gym during drills.
Laws said depth will also be a positive this year. Joining the Baxter girls and Detlaff in the early projected line-up will be juniors Elli Pardee and Faith Fields, both of whom averaged five points a game last season.
Volleyball standout Riley Wilson, a senior guard, will also see considerable playing time this year.
The team will also have height, with both Detlaff and Megan Baxter listed at 5-10 or above.
Thompson Falls advanced to the consolation final of the Western B Divisional tournament last season, where they beat Anaconda for third place, narrowly missing a berth in the state championship round. They lost a 47-46 squeaker earlier in the tournament to eventual divisional runner-up Bigfork.
Laws and crew are optimistic as the season opener with Troy approaches.
“We had a great year last year,” Laws said. “We are looking to get better.”