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Genesee High School
School Info
Conference: 1AD1 Whitepine League
Classification: 1A D1
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Head Coach: Brandon McIntosh
Years as Head Coach: 4th Season
Previous Experience: 4 years assistant girls coach Moscow, 1 year head coach Asotin, Wa girls
Record Last Year: 21-8
State Titles: 1987, 2008
Assistant Coaches:
Cassie Heath
Jason Hanson
Returning Players:
Alysha O’Connell G 12
Courtney Burt G 11
Anna Druffel G/F 11
Returning Players with Honors:
Courtney Burt First Team All-League
Key Players lost from last year:
Kaleigh Ranisate
Kayla Cornell
Cierra Mayer
Calysta Prindle
Incoming impact players:
Brianna Murray F 11
Regan Zenner G 9
Emerson Parkins G 9
Molly Hanson C 9
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Team Preview
Three seasons, three straight State appearance for Coach Brandon McIntosh (4th season) and his Genesee Bulldogs. Last season, the Bulldogs marked their highest finishes of third-place since 2008. This new year brings new obstacles and opportunities for this Bulldog squad. Saying goodbye to four seniors-three starters and one major bench contributor-who average 28 points per game collectively, the Bulldogs will be looking at plenty of new faces. There will be plenty of obstacles and opportunities for this young, inexperienced unit this season.
The Bulldogs are returning three players-one senior and two juniors. The very speedy senior, Alysha O’Connell, will be asked to play every position on the court, provide the leadership and guidance for the younger players, and be asked to chase around top players on the other teams. Joining O’Connell are two talented juniors who can light up a scoreboard. Courtney Burt (First Team All-Whitepine League) and Anna Druffel will provide the offensive firepower. Burt and Druffel are both known for their outside shooting, have been busy at work developing a drive and a post game that will make their offensive abilities even better.
“Both Burt and Druffel have the offensive abilities that will draw attention to opponents. That is a testament to how hard they have worked and how talented they are. They are continuing to grow and get even better,” comments Coach McIntosh about his two talented juniors.
With only three quality returners, the Bulldogs will be faced with several obstacles. The first is to figure out who will be joining them in the starting lineup. The second is developing all the new faces to be able to understand the system. The third is to mesh the younger faces with the veterans. The fourth is to get balance and solid contributions from other players. With each of these obstacles, there are even more opportunities for this club.
New faces that will have an impact on the team are junior Brianna Murray and freshmen Emerson Parkins, Regan Zenner, and Molly Hanson. There will be plenty potholes along the way, but once these four solve each obstacle presented that will only make the team better.
Obstacles that the team will be facing early consist of the physical gifts of rebounding, scoring, and playing team defense. Then there is the mental side. The Bulldogs need to find and keep their confidence, communication, be more efficient, and be able to finish possessions.
Genesee didn’t take the easy way out knowing they were going to be young and inexperienced this season with their schedule. Outside of an already tough conference schedule, the Bulldogs will be facing 2A competition in Orofino and Grangeville (twice), consistent, solid, and constantly State-bound 1A D2 team in Nezperce (twice), Lakeside (Plummer), and perennial powerhouse in out-of-state foe in Colton.
They will be tested and look to put it all together for the post-season run and look to battle for a spot at the State Tournament for a fourth straight season. Standing in their way will be Lapwai, Prairie, Troy, a play-in game with Wallace, and a second play-in game against a District 3 opponent to get back to State.
There are many obstacles facing this team this season. The journey will be tough. The payoff could be bountiful. They have the depth, the speed, and are closer than any Bulldog team over the past several years. Coach McIntosh is most excited to watch the team mesh together and grow together to make a run at the post-season.
“We may be young, but are fast, deep, and smart. They way this team has been competing in practice and making each other better early will payoff tenfold at the end of the season,” says Coach McIntosh full of excitement.
Time will tell if the coach is correct with putting it all together for the final push. It all must start and end with committing to defense to get there.
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