'They're fully believing'

SANDPOINT — The straw that stirs the drink. The glue that holds it all together. The engine that makes the team run.

Whatever tired sports cliche you choose, it’s liable to fit Sandpoint senior basketball standout Hailey Olin, a four-year starter who is looking to help lead the Bulldogs to state, starting tonight in Post Falls.

Second-year head coach Bill Bender will lean heavily on the vast skill set of Olin, an all-league performer since she was a freshman. He’ll lean even heavier of the quiet leadership of Olin, who brings a wealth of flexibility to the hardwood.

“Hailey will be the only person on the team asked to play all five positions, and she can do it without a second thought,” describes Bender of Olin, who averaged 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals as a junior. “She has a calmness on the court.”

Teaming with Olin to give the Bulldogs maybe the best one-two punch in the 4A North ranks is sophomore small forward Madi Schoening, who averaged 10 points, four boards and two steals to earn Newcomer of the Year league honors last season.

Schoening has the ability to get to the rim and continues to improve on her jump shot, a combo that makes her tough to defend. She and Olin can both score in bunches, and last year Schoening posted a season-high 25 points against Lakeland.

“She has incredibly quick hands and feet, and great anticipation,” describes Bender of Schoening. “Her mid-range jump shot will contribute to all kinds of opportunities for everyone to feed off.”

The attention paid to Olin (5-foot-8) and Schoening (5-9) could spell good things for senior shooting guard Maryah Delgado, whom Bender calls the team’s best outside shooter and a great interior passer. She recently made eight of 10 three pointers in a practice drill, and could provide a nice outside threat for the Bulldogs.

Patrolling the paint will be seniors Cassie Young (5-9) and Nikole Alamillo (5-10). Bender said Young had a great summer of play, adding ball handling skills to an already strong interior defensive game. Alamillo provides power on the blocks, bolstering the rebounding game.

It could be a point guard by committee approach for Bender, who said junior Karlee Williams (5-11), senior Emily Chatburn, junior Lily Martin and sophomore Riley Couch could all run the floor at different times. Regardless who is running the show, cutting down on turnovers will be a point of emphasis this season.

“We’re going to bring them along as the season progresses,” says Bender of the group, adding that Japanese exchange student Fumiko Tokimori will also see varsity minutes at guard. “The biggest thing is improvement in all facets of the game. All the pieces that they’ve put together have made us a much stronger whole.”

Last year the Bulldogs beat Lakeland twice, but lost to Moscow 41-38 and 39-31 in the district tournament, and Bender the bitter losses to the Bears spurred the team in the off-season. With a host of varsity experience returning and a strong summer season under their belts, the Bulldogs have raised the bar on expectations.

“People are going to have to come and beat us,” describes Bender. “Last year they didn’t fully believe and weren’t quite ready to execute at the top level. They’re fully believing now.”

Olin says her goal is to not just make it to state for the first time, but to be playing on the third day of the tourney on Saturday.

“Our heart is in it for the same reason — to be playing on Feb. 22. If we play together, nobody can get in our way,” says Olin, calling the team compatible. “We want to make the most of it. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Tip off for tonight’s game is slated for 7 p.m. at Les Rogers Court.