Bulldogs dominate 4A All-Inland Empire League team

SANDPOINT — Senior Hailey Olin was named Most Valuable Player, and head coach Bill Bender Coach of the Year, highlighting a strong Sandpoint contingent on the 4A All-Inland Empire League girls basketball team, as voted on recently by the league’s coaches.

It’s Olin’s fourth all-league selection, starting with Newcomer of the Year as a freshman and ending with MVP as a senior.

Junior power forward Morgan Bluemer earned Newcomer of the Year, while seniors Maryah Delgado and Nikole Alamillo also earned spots on the team.

Bender said Olin’s selection was easy for the other coaches, calling her the team leader.

“She’s the glue that holds people together when the going gets tough,” said Bender of Olin. “The kids feel better when she’s on the court.”

Alamillo got stronger as the season progressed, posting a pair of 15 point games recently, earning her spot with some solid post play.

“She’s our bread and butter underneath,” described Bender. “She found her niche; cleans the glass, a great defensive rebounder.”

Delgado earned a spot with arguably the prettiest jump shot in the league, able to provide some scoring punch and a valuable long range threat.

“I wish she would shoot more,” admitted Bender of Delgado. “When she shoots, the net goes ‘swish.’”

Bender said Bloomer is a smart player with a knack for moving without the ball, earning the nickname “phantom” from her teammates.

“All of the sudden she’s open and she scores,” described Bender. “She has steadily improved, and when her time came, she was incredibly effective.”

Bender earned Coach of the Year honors by leading the Bulldogs to their first district championship in more than 30 years, and first berth at state in 10 years.

4A ALL-INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER — Hailey Olin, sr., Sandpoint.

NEWCOMERS OF THE YEAR — Morgan Bluemer, jr., Sandpoint; and Monica Burnette, sr., Moscow.

COACH OF THE YEAR — Bill Bender, Sandpoint

ALL-LEAGUE

Maryah Delgado, sr., Sandpoint; Jada Simpson, so., Moscow; Kelly Ramus, sr., Lakeland; Nikole Alamillo, sr., Sandpoint; Kaidan Kelsey, jr., Lakeland.