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North Gem High School
School Info
Conference: 1AD2 Rocky Mountain Conference
Classification: 1A D2
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Head Coach: Dana Strong
Years as Head Coach: 1st Season
Previous Experience: 2 years as head girls coach at Timberline (Weippe); 2 years Colorado; 10 years at Port Lions, Ak (2 state titles); 2 years Green River, Wyoming; 1 year Rimrock
Record Last Year: 3-19
Assistant Coaches:
Zackary Strong
Returning Players:
Shae Donaldson, SG, 10
Grace Maxwell, SG, 12
Incoming “impact” players:
Katelin Labrouche, PF, 11
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Team Preview
Written by: Sven Alskog
After a promising season in 2013/2014, things were looking up in Bancroft for North Gem on the basketball court.
Following a 3-19 record last year, new Head Coach Dana Strong will be tasked with figuring out a way to get the Lady Cowboys back on the right track.
Strong will rely on the backcourt of sophomore Shae Donaldson and Grace Maxwell to provide much of the scoring punch, while newcomer Katelin Labrouche looks to lead the way on the interior.
“We have good speed and some solid low post players,” said Strong. “We want to have a balanced attack. Shae Donaldson, Edie Christiensen and Katelin Labrouche should all be important contributors.”
Ball movement will be essential to improve on the offensive end.
“We need to learn to be patient and make the extra pass and [also] how to be mentally tough at all times,” stated Strong.
Expect a different look for North Gem on the defense, with plenty of pressure being applied to the opposition.
“The girls are taking to the new concepts and are aggressive,” said Strong. “We will be playing a high-pressure, in-your-face defense that attempts to control the tempo.”
The youth factor is what is bringing the most excitement out about this team.
“We are young [just one senior] and have some real talent,” said Strong. “The girls are eager to learn and naturally aggressive. This is going to be a season of real growth.”
That talent will have to focus on the defensive side of the floor first for the Lady Cowboys to be successful this season.
“The x-factor will be how quickly we develop our team defensive principles. If we learn and develop quickly, we will be a handful for any team,” said Strong.
Expect a deep rotation as well, with many players seeing significant playing time.
“We will be aggressive and up-tempo,” said Strong. “We will attempt to control the speed and tempo of the game. We have a deep bench and will be using a lot of players.”
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