Lady Pirates to face Dillon in Missoula Tip-Off

POLSON — Polson girls basketball coach Joe Quinn hopes the Lady Pirates season begins at the fast pace it began last season as they prepare to participate in this weekend’s Missoula tip off.

“I like the Tip Off Tournament because you get to see a lot of other teams and you get a chance to scout other teams from watching all of the other games,” Quinn said. “This tournament is really good for us because right now we are trying to get in shape. There are a lot of positives we can get from running up and down a bigger court at Missoula.”

Last season the Lady Pirates began their season with a victory over Dillon in the Missoula Tournament. This season, just like last season, the Lady Pirates will open against Dillon again. Last year, the Dillon Lady Pirates finished third in the Class-A state tournament.

“When we defeated Dillon in the tournament last year, that was a really nice win for us,” Quinn said. “(Last year) Dillon went on and did pretty well at the state tournament. It was great to measure ourselves to see where we are at and it gave the girls a real confidence boost.”

Quinn said he anticipates seeing more of the same caliber of high quality basketball from the Dillon Lady Pirates at this year’s tip off.

“Dillon is a really tough team, they are well-coached and they are a solid team,” Quinn said. “I thought Corvallis did well last year watching them at Divisionals and both teams will be good competition for us.”

The Lady Pirates will return Lauren Lefthand, a senior with three years of varsity experience.

“I think she has been doing really well in practice, so far,” Quinn said. “She is kind of like another coach on the court. She just has a lot of poise and helps the other younger girls to stay positive. She’s done really well.”

Mollie Fisher is another 6-foot post player that Quinn said can provide a “difficult match up” for opponents.

“She has become a lot more physical this year and a lot more than in previous years,” Quinn said.

Quinn said he is also impressed with the play of Alex Pierre, Olivia Perez and Mikayla Croft as the Lady Pirates prepare to head into this season.

Other contributors that will make an impact for the Lady Pirates include Quinn Motichka and Kaelyn Smith.

“They work extremely hard and they are both competitive girls,” Quinn said. “That leadership of working hard on the court is good for those other girls. It is great (for the younger girls) to really see how hard they work in practice.”

Quinn said he is “excited” to begin the season.

“I am just excited to get everything rolling,” Quinn said. “The girls have been working hard and going against each other. Now it is time to go out and see how we stack up against other schools. I think we will be able to compete against other schools and I am ready to get the ball rolling here.”

Quinn said he wants to play very “physical” in this opening two-game tournament.

“I want them to play tough and physical, get between 50 and 75 percent of the loose balls, play good team defense, and the rest will come as it will,” Quinn said. “They have some kids that have to fill in at spots and you really don’t know what you are going to see until you actually get in and play. It will be a good coaching tool and we will learn a lot.”