Maidens ready to tackle season together

Ronan Maidens basketball team finished fourth last year in the Northwest A but felt they could have finished with an even better season than 6-5.

"We were disappointed in losing close games down the stretch," Ronan Head Coach Steve Woll said. "If we could have converted better on free throws, we could have ended a little stronger, but no regrets at all. You have to put the ball in the hole."

Ronan returns Lauryn Buhr, Ally Leudtke, Nani Zepeda and Kylee Kelch from last year, while newcomer Neveah Perez will add more depth to the roster.

"I feel team chemistry is always the first key, then defense, sharing the ball, and rebounding are the main focal points," Woll said. "We are inexperienced and young, but that won't hinder us from playing hard and together."

The Northwest A will be extremely challenging, with solid programs like Browning, Columbia Falls, Libby, Polson and Whitefish. This year, however, the conference will also add state championship powerhouse Bigfork.

"We are looking forward to the challenge and if we can improve every day and keep together, we could finish strong," Woll said. "That's the goal – to play our best ball at the end of the season and peak."