Stevens, Crumpton lead Wampus Cat team hungry for playoffs
—Photo by ERIC PLUMMER Pictured front row, from left to right: Sarah Hathaway, Aleehia Valliere, Abbie Anderson, Lia Crumpton, Ellie Lambert, Emily Garman, Allison Warner and Nona Young. Back row: Brooke Stevens, Sarah Holderman, Lily Simko, Danielle Cohick, Ali Sutton, Tessa Sutton, Grace Shelton and Ellie Kiebert.
—Photo by ERIC PLUMMER Senior Emily Garman, left, is one of the Wampus Cats’ top defenders.
Lia Crumpton
CLARK FORK — While it figures to be a steady work in progress, the pieces are certainly there for the Clark Fork girls basketball team to make a run at a trip to state this season.
Running the show will be sophomore point guard Brooke Stevens, who will look to build upon a strong freshman year that saw her post a pair of double-doubles, as well as a 21-point outburst where she drained three shots from beyond the arc.
She returns with even more confidence this season, and figures to be one of the top players in the North Star League.
“She went to Boise State’s basketball camp and won a couple of awards,” said Wampus Cat head coach Mark Stevens. “She worked hard on her game this year, hopefully it shows.”
Anchoring the middle will be senior center Lia Crumpton, one of the Cats’ best rebounders and also the anchor of the defense on the blocks. Stevens thinks Crumpton is ready for a big season in league play, where toughness is necessary.
“Lia is more physical in her third year in the program,” he said. “In our league, she’s got to be physical.”
Also returning with plenty of varsity experience is sophomore forward Tessa Sutton, who hit double figures in scoring often last season and also posted a pair of double-doubles, numbers that could continue to grow in her second year.
Joining Crumpton and Sutton down low will be sophomore Lily Simko, part of a strong class of female athletes that could gel as they grow in the next few years. Stevens is hoping Simko can be more physical in a league where points are often hard earned.
“She’s a smart player, moves well inside,” described Stevens. “I’m hoping she picks up a lot of the scoring.”
Senior Emily Garman could be the Bulldogs’ best defender, using her quickness in the press and up top in the zone, where her and Stevens will look to create havoc.
When possible, the Wampus Cats will look to utilize some strong team speed and get out for some easy transition buckets.
“Play faster than we have, use out strengths against opponents,” described Stevens of his philosophy this season. “Defense will be our strength.”
The bench will include two seniors who sat out last year in Nona Young, a smart player capable of playing anywhere on the floor, and Allison Warner, an athletic player who can run the floor and defend. Sophomores Ellie Lambert and Ali Sutton will also see minutes on a deep bench.
With a host of sophomores primed to see big minutes, there could be an early-season learning curve. But athletically, the Wampus Cats could be dangerous as the season plays out.
“It’s going to take some games to figure out where we’re at,” admitted Stevens. “I think we can compete with anyone in the league this year, it’s how we progress and get better.”