Lady Pioneers built for the future

TEN SLEEP - Starting the 2016-2017 basketball season one of the big picture goals for Ten Sleep Lady Pioneer basketball coach Sarah Novak was to change the program's culture into a winning one. While this season had its ups and downs the cornerstone for that change was set.

The Lady Pioneers finished third in the 1A Northwest conference with a 4-4 record and were 10-10 overall. Finishing .500 was not the goal of coach Novak, who was named the 1A Northwest Conference coach of the year, but she does see the progress made as a positive step.

"We had a .500 season which hasn't happened for a while here. I really feel like the girls knew they could play with anyone and be in any game. Winning ball games breeds that a little bit. You look at the powerhouse programs like Burlington, they're used to winning and know what it takes to win and that's a mentality that (Ten Sleep boys basketball) coach (Ben) Schwarz and I are trying to develop here," said coach Novak.

The strength of this Lady Pioneer team was their defense and it was the staple of their success all season long. Ten Sleep finished as the fourth best defense in 1A, holding teams to 32.6 points per game.

"We set out to do what we wanted to do and the girls hung their hat on playing tough defense. We wanted to finish in the top part of the conference and it was disappointing that we didn't hit that goal. We had that late three-game slide but I was really proud of the kids for bouncing back. We finished the season with two wins where our defense played very well, which was a good way to go into the regional tournament," said coach Novak.

Unfortunately, the Lady Pioneer season would end at the 1A West regional tournament with losses to Little Snake River, 48-22, and Cokeville, 50-29.

"Overall we were pleased. This season was one of the more enjoyable years I've had in 30-plus years of coaching. They worked very hard and did everything to the best of their abilities. It might not have been pretty. We struggled offensively but we knew that from the get-go that we'd have troubles on that end. We were able to keep ourselves in games by playing great team defense," said coach Novak.

Taking the season into account there were a lot of moments coach Novak will look fondly on, which included beating Burlington twice.

"I think the first game here against Burlington. I had never beaten Burlington in basketball or volleyball. Then to turnaround and beat them again at their place left a pretty sweet taste in my mouth," said coach Novak, "Burlington has been the standard for so long and they were outstanding for a long stretch. So for me it was nice to have a team that finally got over that hump and we were able to match their ferocity and tradition."

There were two things coach Novak was most thankful for this season, the first was her assistant coach Halli Stocklin.

"Two things in the season I am thankful for, one was my assistant coach Halli Stocklin. She played for me when I first started coaching here, she has great insight and we have the same basketball philosophies. I was very thankful for her help this season," said coach Novak.

The second was her senior leadership of Madison Anderson, Justyne Dustin, Riley Erickson and Allison Hampton.

"I was also thankful for my seniors. Through the ups and downs this season they stepped up and took the younger players under their wing. They showed the younger players what's expected in practice, in the game and how to act when you're on the road. Those four young ladies were awesome and we couldn't have done that without them," said coach Novak.

Anderson scored 145 points on the season which was tied for a team lead with sophomore Kinley Erickson. Hampton led the team in free throw percentage at 55 percent. Erickson led the team in rebounds with 5.6 per game and shot a team high 42 percent from the field. Dustin would come off the bench to provide strong defense for her team.

Aside from the stats, the leadership provided by the four Lady Pioneer seniors will be what coach Novak will miss the most.

"The two biggest things for all of them were their positive attitudes and their work ethic. Some were more vocal leaders and others led by example, like Riley Erickson. That young lady worked her tail off in practice and took the time to help other post players," said coach Novak, "It's not only their skill and basketball IQ that we're going to miss. Their leadership and positive attitudes will be the things we're going to miss the most. Next season it's going to take us some time to find our new leaders because we won't have any seniors on the team."

Other than the four seniors the Lady Pioneers were either sophomores or freshman, so next season's team will be even the younger. Ten Sleep will have two starters returning in sophomore Erickson and point guard Bryley Moore.

"We definitely have the building blocks coming back next season. There will be some incoming freshman that will play some valuable minutes. Halli and I decided we're going to take some knocks next year but I know we're going to battle through it," said coach Novak.

During the offseason coach Novak will look to start a 3-on-3 league with her current and former players. The league will give everyone a chance to play as well as create well rounded basketball players.

"One of the things we're going to do is put together some 3-on-3 teams with current players and former players and just have them play against each other a couple nights a week. So much of basketball is screen and roll, give and go and basically 3-on-3. Plus, it gets the ball in everyone's hands and allows them to get comfortable with creating plays," said coach Novak.

As for being named coach of the year, coach Novak was happy to accept the award but would have gladly traded that honor for having some of her players named to the 1A Northwest All-Conference team.

"It was a pleasant surprise," said coach Novak, "It was an honor but I was disappointed that we didn't have any All-Conference players but it is what it is."

*Sports Editor's Note* The third annual Blue vs. White Classic is today at 7 p.m. at Ten Sleep High School. The Classic allows for Ten Sleep alum to suit up in the Blue and White as the two teams battle for bragging rights. Ten Sleep Pioneer merchandise will be for sale and a raffle will be held for various prizes with all proceeds going toward Ten Sleep Basketball.