The Liberty Bell High School varsity and junior varsity squads: back row from left, Lauren Ochoa, Haley Bakke, Devin Surface, Emily Paul, Katie Labanauskas, Lauren Fitzmaurice, Monica Chavey, Carlynn Treise, Kelsey Johnson, Khristina Oestreich. Front row, Amanda Dwinell, Megan Dammann, A’Leigh Priest, Natalie Treise, Ava Mott, Sierra Hanson, Lucia Clay, Lillian Cooley, Exie Romero.
By Don Nelson
With most of the starting five returning from last year, the Liberty Bell High School varsity girl’s basketball team is eager to improve on its record and play farther into the post-season.
“Our main goal is to finish higher than we did last year,” coach Ed Smith said. “The girls were not satisfied with where we finished last year.
In the 2014-15 season, the Lady Lions made it into post-season play and finished with an overall record of 5-12. That was a significant improvement over previous years when Liberty Bell struggled to be competitive.
If early practices are any indication, the Lady Lions are already ahead of last year in terms of commitment and readiness, Smith said.
“Their attitude is really good and they want to improve,” the coach said.
Returning from last year are “the Laurens” — sophomore Lauren Ochoa and junior Lauren Fitzmaurice — along with sophomore Katie Labanauskas, junor Exie Romero, senior Monica Chavey and sophomore Carlynn Treise. Smith said that several other players could make significant contributions this year.
Fiztmaurice was named a second-team all-league player in the 2B North league last year, and Ochoa was honorable mention. Competition in the league won’t be any less challenging this year, Smith said, with many teams returning their top players.
Smith said the Lady Lions will continue to use their up-tempo “motion offense,” which relies on constant movement, screens, cuts and sharp passing to generate good looks at the basket.
Last year, Smith said, the Lady Lions were learning the offense and improving their skills. This year, he said, “we’ll be looking to each other” to score more.
Smith was named coach of the year in the 2B North League last year. He will be assisted this year by 2008 Liberty Bell graduate and college basketball standout Korrie Bourn. She played for both Spokane Community College and later for Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande.
“Korrie is doing an excellent job with them, working on their skills,” Smith said of Bourn. “She knows what she’s talking about.”
The season unofficially begins at the Okanogan Jamboree on Dec. 1. The regular schedule launches on Dec. 7 at Pateros. The first home game is on Dec. 11 against Tonasket.
