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Matt Miller, who has been the head coach of the Timberlake girls’ basketball team for 12 seasons, knows expectations.
His team is the reigning 3A state champion. It was also the 3A runner up in 2015, runner up in 2014, runner up in 2012 and runner up in 2011. That’s five state championship games in the past six years – just about as good of a stretch as any basketball team in Idaho in recent years.
This season, the Tigers are 14-2 going into Saturday’s game at Coeur d’Alene Charter, with their only two losses coming to one of the top-ranked 5A programs in the state (Post Falls) and an absolute juggernaut in 1A Lapwai, who, incidentally, would be right there with Timberlake as far as extended stretches of outstanding play. The two teams split their two head-to-head meetings this year … and their combined record is 30-3.
Miller brought back a good team (read the team’s IdahoSports.com Hoops Preview article) this season and, to the surprise of very few, the team has resided near the top of the state-wide rankings for 3A basketball all season. Three questions with Coach Miller:
IS.com: How has your team responded to the expectations of being the defending 3A girls' state champion?
Miller: I think they have responded well. They have been focused and continue to work hard. We talk about not worrying about what others' expectations are for us and just playing to our own standards and expectations that we have for ourselves.
IS.com: Are there things this year's squad done better than last year's championship team?
Miller: This team is a little more efficient than last year’s team. We are averaging less turnovers and shooting a higher percentage than last year and that is with having a much tougher schedule this year.
IS.com: How much fun is this time of year for you, your staff, the players and the community?
Miller: I think we all really enjoy this time of the year. Everyone works really hard and has the common goal of trying to improve as much as possible as a team and individually as well.
CLICK HERE to see where Timberlake falls in the Idaho state girls’ basketball polls, media polls and power rankings.
CLICK HERE to view Timberlake’s results and upcoming schedule.
CLICK HERE to view the 3A girls’ state tournament bracket, which will begin February 16 at Middleton High School.
IdahoSports.com will provide a LIVE and FREE audio-only webcast of every game of the 2017 Idaho High School Girls’ Basketball Tournament, from February 16 through February 18.
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