Maidens gear up with experience for 2024 campaign
Maiden Zailee Hewankorn reaches for the basket against Bigfork Jan. 20, 2024. (Christa Umphrey photo)
Ronan won eight games last year in a tough Northwest A Conference, and this year’s campaign will return a more experienced Maiden team to the court.
“I thought we peaked at the right time last year as we had a lot of injuries, sickness, and youth last year,” Ronan Head Coach Steve Woll said. “I think our athleticism will be our strength, and we will rely on team chemistry.”
Bigfork won the conference championship with a 22-2 record, while Ronan finished fifth in the standings behind Browning, Columbia Falls and Polson. The key this season will be returning players Lauryn Buhr, Nani Zepeda, Zailee Hewankorn, Maddy Illig and Kailyn Marengo.
Ronan had a strong offensive team, finishing fourth in points scored (879), but will need to shore up a defense that gave up 1,115 points.
The Maidens picked up a signature 46-36 victory over Polson on Feb. 17 to bookend the regular season. In Divisionals, Ronan fell to Frenchtown, downed Hamilton 51-36, and bowed out of the playoffs with a loss to Dillon.
Ronan will add Natalie Adams to the roster this year, but the conference should look very similar.
“Our league is really good,” Woll said. “Bigfork, Browning, and Columbia Falls should be really tough.”
The Maidens, however, are up to the challenge.
“We are excited about the season,” Woll said.