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Timberline (Boise) High School
School Info
Conference: 5A Southern Idaho Conference
Classification: 5A
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Head Coach: Todd Simpson
Years as Head Coach: Starting year 2
Previous Experience: 13 years as Timberline Boys JV and Assistant coach
Record Last Year: 4-16
State Titles: : State champs 2003 runners up in 2002 and 2004
Who do you have coming back this year?
Tara Hall 5’8” Senior Guard, Malika Kasumu 6’0” Senior Post Kaite Johnson 5’10” Senior guard/post Sarah Mayer Junior 5’9” Point Guard
Any “Key Players” that you lost from last year?
Lost 8 Seniors, Mimi Pfieffer guard was all conference honorable mention
Do you have any new incoming “impact” players?
Rachel Brand 5’11” Junior post, and Ellie Scott Sophomore wing, Carlee Frank Junior Wing
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Photo By: Chris Melgaard - #24 Malika Kasumu |
As a team, what are your offensive strengths?
Our strengths will be size, we should be good at getting the ball inside, and offensive reounding. Tara Hall and Malika Kasumu should lead us in scoring. Tara is good at getting to the basket and has a great midrange jumper, while Malika is a super fast athletic post who can run the floor and score inside.
Offensive areas you hope to improve on over last year:
Taking care of the ball, we had far too many turnovers last year, we will also become more of an inside team as last year we had some 3 point shooters that have graduated.
As a team, what are your defensive strengths?
We should be a lot better defensively this year, as we will be more solid defensively at all 5 positions. Tara Hall and Malika Kasumu should lead us in steals as each are very athletic and anticipate fairly well. Malika can defend in the post very well. Our focus this year will be playing solid defense and building on the system we started last year.
Defensive Areas you hope to improve on over last year:
Transition defense will be a big focus and a more united effort in which players buy in to our defensive plan and system for each game.
What are you most excited about in regards to this year’s team?
I am excited for the opportunity that is in front of us. Rebuilding is a process and I hope that this year we can build from the footholds gained the previous season and continue to improve
For the fans, what is the must-see game of the year on your schedule?
Every year the Boise High game is the must see game. Last year each game was close and since they are our main rivals it is always an intense game.
What is the ‘X-Factor’ to having success this season as a team?
Taking care of the ball and limiting turnovers will be our primary focus. Last year we not only turned the ball over consistently but we turned it over for easy baskets for the other team. If we can limit our mental mistakes and handle the pressure teams will try to put on us we will do well this season.
If you could change one rule in high school basketball, what would it be?
The one rule I think that should be changed is the jump ball rule. I think all jump balls should go to the defensive team. I think if a defense is able to tie up the ball and stop another teams offense then they should get the ball.
Besides the pay, the fame and the glory, why do you coach high school basketball?
I just love working with kids and connecting with them in a different way than you do in the classroom. I think having players learn to work together as a team, and strive toward a common goal is a powerful thing, and I enjoy being a part of it.
What makes your school the best place to coach for?
I enjoy the support I get from the administration and parents, I also think the players at Timberline are great people and that is probably the best part of my job getting to go to work every day and coach good people in the sport I love.
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