Young Wampus Cats seeking state berth under new coach

Stevens, Sutton leads Cats under new coach Adams

By ERIC PLUMMER

Sports editor

CLARK FORK — Two returning All-North Star League players and a brand new head coach will lead the Clark Fork girls basketball team in a quest to return to the state playoffs this season.

Jordan Adams, a 2006 graduate and three-year starter in basketball at Kellogg High School, takes on her first head coaching job in succeeding Mark Stevens at the helm of the Wampus Cats.

Adams, 30, takes over a young team coming off a 3-14 season that returns a lot of underclassmen with varsity experience. Early on, she likes what she’s seen in her young charges, who are adapting to a new coaching philosophy.

“They’re willing to learn, which is huge for a new coach. We’ll keep the scoring low, with no second chance opportunities for the other team,” said Adams of her style. “Encourage strong defense and bring a level of competitiveness on defense that hasn’t been seen in a while. Clean basketball, fundamentally sound.”

Leading the way will be a pair of returning all-league players in junior point guard Brooke Stevens and junior post Tessa Sutton.

Stevens led the Wampus Cats in nearly every category last season, and has the ability to score from beyond the arc and also by getting to the rim off the bounce. Defensively, she’s one of league leaders in steals, which often lead to easy buckets.

“Brooke is a hustler,” said Adams. “I’m hoping she can keep them in control, keep the pace of play what we want.”

Adams will lean on Stevens to run a disciplined and deliberate offense, as the Cats will look to slow things down and control the pace of the game.

“A lot of teams like to push the ball. I’d like them to be more patient,” said Adams. “Slow it down, run the play right and execute. Take smart shots instead of just hucking it up there.”

Controlling the action on the blocks will be Sutton, who showed the ability to score in double digits often last season while leading the team in rebounding.

Sutton was asked what the Wampus Cats will hang their hats on this season, and she gave an answer that Adams will no doubt love to hear.

“Our defense. Defense wins games,” said Sutton, who feels the team has enough talent to make a run to the playoffs. “I think we have a good shot to go to state. We need to work as a team and make our shots.”

Joining Hathaway down low will be junior Lily Simko, who led the Cats in rebounding in a number of games last year, and junior Ali Sutton.

In the season-opening Kellogg Tournament, Ali Sutton opened the eyes of Adams with some inspired play on the blocks.

“I saw a whole new side of Ali that was extremely aggressive,” described Adams. “I want that side of her more often.”

Sophomore Ellie Kiebert and freshman newcomer Kaylee Banks will start as wings in Adams’ offense, where she asks her players to be able to play nearly every spot on the floor.

Kiebert and Banks both have a ton of potential, and will be counted on a lot despite being so young on varsity.

“Ellie is very aggressive, plays awesome defense, great close out. She’s a natural leader, we need her to talk,” admitted Adams, noting Banks has played a lot of basketball and could be a breakout player. “If she can slow down and see the floor, she’s going to be phenomenal.”

Providing big bench minutes will be Grace Shelton, a junior post who boxes out well on the glass, junior guard Ellie Lambert, and sophomore guard Sara Hathaway, who brings elite speed and quickness to the floor and will become more dangerous as her scoring improves.

The Wampus Cats (0-2), who lost to 3A Kellogg and North Star League rival Lakeside already, will host Bonners Ferry on Tuesday in another clash against a 3A opponent.