Scarlets seeking to take next step in District 14-C
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When the Arlee Scarlets start the season in Twin Bridges this weekend, they’ll be weeks ahead of where they were at this point last year.
In his second year back as the Scarlet coach, Richard Bachmeier’s job was made a little easier with the return of last year’s leading scorer, leading rebounder and point guard. The Scarlets only lost one starter to graduation, but a shoulder injury might sideline Melissa Ivanoff. All in all, the Scarlets return nine varsity players from last year’s 9-13 team.
“It makes it easier,” Bachmeier said of all his returning players. “They have an idea of what’s going on and things move faster. We’re five or six weeks ahead of where we were at this time last year.”
With all the returning players and with a year under the Montana Hall of Fame coach, the Scarlets are a more fundamentally-sound team than last year. According to Bachmeier, they shoot better, they handle the ball better and they pass better.
“All the basic things we worked on last year are showing up this year. I think we’re just solid,” Bachmeier said.
As a freshman, Kristyn Adams led the Scarlets in scoring and can play post or wing for the Scarlets. Mahalia Hendren, was another freshman phenom for Arlee, leading the team in rebounds. Tayla Dejarlais, a sophomore, also started for the Scarlets last season, and can play the point guard or the shooting guard.
Tiffany O’Neill, Jenna Pablo and Becca Nelson all came off the bench last year to give Bachmeier some valuable minutes.
“We’re young, but we have at least five girls with a lot of varsity experience,” Bachmeier said.
Last year, the Scarlets starters had to play most of the game and wilted toward the end of games. This shouldn’t be a problem this year. With 15 girls vying for a varsity position and the addition of transfer Desirae Knault and freshmen Whitney Malatare, Bailey Rice and Alexis Schick, Bachmeier said depth will be one of the team’s strengths and instead of losing games in the final minutes they be able to finish strong.
With a lack of depth and experience, the Scarlets had to slow the game down and play at a deliberate pace to give them a chance to win last year, but this year Bachmeier plans to open up the playbook a little more.
“We’ll still concentrate on our defense, but we’re not going to have to slow down the game as much,”Bachmeier said.
We’ll do a lot more pressing. We’ll be able to use the fastbreak more because so many of our girls can handle the ball,” Bachmeier said.
The Scarlets start the season at a tip-off tournament in Twin Bridges Friday and Saturday.
