Stewart takes over reins of Spartan girls basketball team
PRIEST RIVER — Priest River Lamanna High School named a new girls basketball head coach recently, with former Spartan standout athlete Morgan Stewart taking over stewardship of the program from Christina Leonard.
There is no blueprint for success or a state championship, but anyone who has ever played on one knows there are certain key ingredients that up any team’s chances to win one. Morgan, 25, knows what some of those ingredients are, having played on the lone Spartans’ state championship girls hoops team in 2010, under the tutelage of her dad and coaching mentor Gary Stewart.
Stewart, who grew up in Priest River, is hoping to return the Spartan program to the upper echelon on the 3A Intermountain League, which has been tough as nails the past couple of years and routinely sends a team to the 3A state title game.
“My top goals for the future are to get more wins, get back our spot in the league and also go to state and hopefully bring home a trophy,” said Stewart, who assisted Leonard the past three years and is no stranger to a gym. “I also helped my dad when he was coaching with camps, practices, open gyms and team workouts since I was in college.”
Stewart is currently a fifth grade teacher at Priest River Elementary School, so she has a good feel for not just the current varsity players, but those coming up in the program.
She’s looking forward to continue working with the current crop of Spartans, carrying on some of the coaching traits learned from her dad, which proved successful, while forging her own identity.
“I have gotten to know most of them pretty well over the few years,” she said of the girls. “I am excited for this year’s seniors, to see how they finish their basketball careers, and am also looking forward to the new girls who will be coming up from the junior high.”
Stewart also ran on the second fastest 4x800 relay and third fastest medley relay in Spartan girls track history as a multi-sport athlete. She’s hoping to create excitement and interest in the program, and to instill passion and hard work into the players.
“Pushing the girls to give 100 percent each and every practice and game while also teaching them the fundamentals in a competitive atmosphere. Players should be an example of Priest River athletics — having good grades, being a model citizen and a dedicated athlete,” said Stewart, who has a clear passion for hoops. “What I love most is the competitiveness and it is a fun sport to play and watch. It has been a major outlet in my life, especially in my family.”