Eighth-grade team takes Trinity tournament
For the first time, the Somers Middle School eighth-grade girls basketball team won the tournament at Trinity Lutheran School this month.
After a first-round bye and wins over a Kalispell Middle School and a Ronan team, the girls won a close championship game against coach Cassie Hashley's Kalispell Middle School team 44-42 to take the tournament.
This was only one of many accomplishments in the girls' successful season, in which they maintained a 15-1 record.
"This is an exceptionally hard working group of girls," coach Tom Gillespie said.
These girls take basketball seriously, Gillespie said. Many of the girls voluntarily started practicing before Christmas, attended high school open gyms in Kalispell or played on recreational leagues on the weekends. The girls did particularly well on defense and with patience when on offense, Gillespie said.
"They have extremely good defensive timing," Gillespie said. "It was key to winning their games this year."
The girls' team mentality also made a difference, Gillespie said, as all the girls played well instead of relying on one or two players to carry the team.
The team was comprised of 11 eighth graders, all but a few of whom had played in previous years. Gillespie describes them as one of the most athletic groups of girls he's worked with.
"Quite a few definitely have aspirations for high school basketball," Gillespie said. "I'm looking forward to watching them play in high school."
The tournament also marked the end of the girls' season.
"They put so much into it," Gillespie said. "More than sad (to see the season end), I'm just happy to see them get this success."
The eighth-grade girls practiced with the seventh-grade girls team, which also had a successful season. The seventh graders held a record of 15-3 and placed fourth at the Stillwater Christian School tournament.
"That's a huge improvement for that group of girls," he said.
Gillespie said they hold promise as they transition to eighth-grade play next year.