Lady Griz Depth: Stiles returns; Fatkin eligible

[grizzlyjournal]

Had to watch the Montana-Montana Tech game on "Watch Big Sky" tonight, but was encouraged to see Sophia Stiles (fitted with a knee brace) and Arizona transfer, sophmore Sammy Fatkin dressed out, ready to play.

The additions give Montana instant backcourt depth and experience. The additions also address the "vulnerability" to pressure Montana's been dealing with early in the season. Both are capable ball handlers and both are solid defenders.

I'm thinking it'll take some time for coach Schweyen to get her rotations adjusted, but it certainly gives the team significantly more depth heading into Big Sky Conf. play.

 

[HookedonGriz]

That is huge news! How did they do tonight? Couldn’t find the score

Just found one.....81-49 Lady Griz

 

[TrueGriz]

Missoulian sports writer that covers Lady Griz told me Fatkin could be eligible this year, but won't be able to play until January. So, if Fatkin can play this year, she still will miss the first 2 conference games at the end of this month.
This is an exhibition so any player can play including red shirt players. So, Stiles could still red shirt. Missoulian sports writer also said that Shannon wants Stiles to red shirt, but Stiles doesn't want to sit out a year. Much of what the Missoulian sportwriter told me has come from Shannon Schweyen.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

It did not dawn on me that tonight's game was exhibition!
[media]https://twitter.com/billspeltz/status/1075930989984067584[/media]

Regardless, when I saw Sophia Stiles and Sammy Fatkin dressed and on the floor, I assumed that both would play... Sophia in Montana's first Big Sky home game against Northern Arizona and Sammy at the start of the second semester. I guess we'll see.

You could look at tonight's box score and assume their first game action was not so hot; you'd be wrong. Stiles immediately demonstrated trust in her knee and played at full speed & versatility. She's a defensive game-wrecker, tormenting Tech for 4 steals and numerous deflections. She had 10 points and played at mid-season pace. It was my first look at Fatkin and came away impressed. She plays an extremely fast-paced game, handles the ball very well (though she had 4 TO), sees the court exceptionally well and dished 3 assists and pulled down 6 rebounds. Four of her 7 points came on quick acceleration drives to the bucket. In short, both players give Montana instant depth at the 1&2 guard positions and allow further versatility at wing (Harrington, Goligoski) where Katie Mayhue played a bit (I think, not sure).

This seemed a good pre-season game for Montana. The younger players are now settled into coach Schweyen's system and it was an opportunity for all the younger players to play aggressively. Every player scored and every player but Camel logged double-digit minutes. I continue to be impressed with the game-by-game improvement of Abby Anderson (8 points and 5 blocks), Carmen Gfeller (7 points and 5 rebounds) and now Kylie Frolich (6 points and 4 rebounds).

Tonight, with lone senior Jace Henderson playing a kind-of laid back game, fans saw the future of Shannon Schweyen's Montana Griz program. If Fatkin and Stiles return in January, this team has the potential to peak around conference mid season. The more this team plays, the better it will get. They showed good chemistry and play at a fast pace that will get faster as they feel more confidence in their game and teammates. This is going to be a fun team to watch.

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

Missoulian sports writer that covers Lady Griz told me Fatkin could be eligible this year, but won't be able to play until January. So, if Fatkin can play this year, she still will miss the first 2 conference games at the end of this month.
This is an exhibition so any player can play including red shirt players. So, Stiles could still red shirt. Missoulian sports writer also said that Shannon wants Stiles to red shirt,..

Medically, I would assume it to be in the best interests of a player (and team) to fully recover from such a devastating injury, so as to avoid a repetition of the same type of injury. If it takes a full year, so what? 'Fitted' with a knee brace is not a good sign, regardless. That to me means her knee is too weak to hazard 'without' a brace; pIain and simple. It doesn't matter how many times you fall, what matters is how many times you get back up. If you can't get back up, it's over,..perhaps forever. Sure, a player may want to get back on the court, all well and good for willfulness, but I wouldn't dare to consider it unless that person is cleared 100 % by the medical authorities. You don't get style points for playing cripples.

Sure, Sammy Fatkin may be eligible this year; after missing nearly a third of a season already. She may even be the best player on the team. Who knows. And there's that adage of 'wait till next year;' wherein she could easily pair with Johnston as a redshirt-sophomore platooning with a redshirt-senior at the point guard position, wherein she'd more than likely be the starting PG her junior and senior years, instead of just her senior year, if she plays this year, that is. Why bother throwing a full year away?

 

[grizzlyjournal]

Missoulian sports writer that covers Lady Griz told me Fatkin could be eligible this year, but won't be able to play until January. So, if Fatkin can play this year, she still will miss the first 2 conference games at the end of this month.
This is an exhibition so any player can play including red shirt players. So, Stiles could still red shirt. Missoulian sports writer also said that Shannon wants Stiles to red shirt,..

Medically, I would assume it to be in the best interests of a player (and team) to fully recover from such a devastating injury, so as to avoid a repetition of the same type of injury. If it takes a full year, so what? 'Fitted' with a knee brace is not a good sign, regardless. That to me means her knee is too weak to hazard 'without' a brace; pIain and simple. It doesn't matter how many times you fall, what matters is how many times you get back up. If you can't get back up, it's over,..perhaps forever. Sure, a player may want to get back on the court, all well and good for willfulness, but I wouldn't dare to consider it unless that person is cleared 100 % by the medical authorities. You don't get style points for playing cripples.

Sure, Sammy Fatkin may be eligible this year; after missing nearly a third of a season already. She may even be the best player on the team. Who knows. And there's that adage of 'wait till next year;' wherein she could easily pair with Johnston as a redshirt-sophomore platooning with a redshirt-senior at the point guard position, wherein she'd more than likely be the starting PG her junior and senior years, instead of just her senior year, if she plays this year, that is. Why bother throwing a full year away?

I definitely agree with you on knee injuries, Wyo. I've seen too many painful results of trying to push injury rehab. Since Fatkin evidently petitioned for a January return, it seems obvious she wants to play this year.

Schweyen said earlier this year that she sort of (my description) wanted Sophia to rehab another year. But that was before it was determined that Madi Schoening (foot) would have to take a full season rehab. With Madi at the end of the bench until next season, it's possible that coaches will be ok with Sophia's return if she's cleared and so determines to return.

 

[WyomingGrizFan]

...it was determined that Madi Schoening (foot) would have to take a full season rehab. With Madi at the end of the bench until next season,..

So, I'm assuming, that Madison Schoening is redshirting this year?

If so, I hope that she has a full and healthy recovery. She's a good player.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

...it was determined that Madi Schoening (foot) would have to take a full season rehab. With Madi at the end of the bench until next season,..

So, I'm assuming, that Madison Schoening is redshirting this year?

If so, I hope that she has a full and healthy recovery. She's a good player.

That's what I had concluded, based on an interview with coach Schweyen from last week (during the UW Invite). I can't be 100% certain though. I know they were considering redshirt for Schoening, but I do NOT know if an official decision has been made, or made public.

 

[griz71]

It did not dawn on me that tonight's game was exhibition!
[media]https://twitter.com/billspeltz/status/1075930989984067584[/media]

Regardless, when I saw Sophia Stiles and Sammy Fatkin dressed and on the floor, I assumed that both would play... Sophia in Montana's first Big Sky home game against Northern Arizona and Sammy at the start of the second semester. I guess we'll see.

You could look at tonight's box score and assume their first game action was not so hot; you'd be wrong. Stiles immediately demonstrated trust in her knee and played at full speed & versatility. She's a defensive game-wrecker, tormenting Tech for 4 steals and numerous deflections. She had 10 points and played at mid-season pace. It was my first look at Fatkin and came away impressed. She plays an extremely fast-paced game, handles the ball very well (though she had 4 TO), sees the court exceptionally well and dished 3 assists and pulled down 6 rebounds. Four of her 7 points came on quick acceleration drives to the bucket. In short, both players give Montana instant depth at the 1&2 guard positions and allow further versatility at wing (Harrington, Goligoski) where Katie Mayhue played a bit (I think, not sure).

This seemed a good pre-season game for Montana. The younger players are now settled into coach Schweyen's system and it was an opportunity for all the younger players to play aggressively. Every player scored and every player but Camel logged double-digit minutes. I continue to be impressed with the game-by-game improvement of Abby Anderson (8 points and 5 blocks), Carmen Gfeller (7 points and 5 rebounds) and now Kylie Frolich (6 points and 4 rebounds).

Tonight, with lone senior Jace Henderson playing a kind-of laid back game, fans saw the future of Shannon Schweyen's Montana Griz program. If Fatkin and Stiles return in January, this team has the potential to peak around conference mid season. The more this team plays, the better it will get. They showed good chemistry and play at a fast pace that will get faster as they feel more confidence in their game and teammates. This is going to be a fun team to watch.

Nice summary Journal. Thanks!

 

[TrueGriz]

It has been confirmed in the write up about this game by Speltz that Fatkin has received her waiver and is available for conference.

Different story with Stiles though. It will be a decision to be made over Christmas break. I believe one of the big reasons she played in this game was to give them a chance to see how her knee would hold up. She looked good during the game but you never know what happens after the game, or next few days after. Could swell up. Plus she hasn't had very many practices. Will find out end of this month.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

...it was determined that Madi Schoening (foot) would have to take a full season rehab. With Madi at the end of the bench until next season,..

So, I'm assuming, that Madison Schoening is redshirting this year?

If so, I hope that she has a full and healthy recovery. She's a good player.

That's what I had concluded, based on an interview with coach Schweyen from last week (during the UW Invite). I can't be 100% certain though. I know they were considering redshirt for Schoening, but I do NOT know if an official decision has been made, or made public.

This game story from GoGriz provides a bit more clarity: Within the next 9 days, decisions will be made regarding whether Sophia Stiles and/or Sammy Fatkin will play this season. See attached story link.
[media]https://twitter.com/MontanaGrizWBB/status/1075993159627206656[/media]

 

[griz71]

Missoulian sports writer that covers Lady Griz told me Fatkin could be eligible this year, but won't be able to play until January. So, if Fatkin can play this year, she still will miss the first 2 conference games at the end of this month.
This is an exhibition so any player can play including red shirt players. So, Stiles could still red shirt. Missoulian sports writer also said that Shannon wants Stiles to red shirt,..

Medically, I would assume it to be in the best interests of a player (and team) to fully recover from such a devastating injury, so as to avoid a repetition of the same type of injury. If it takes a full year, so what? 'Fitted' with a knee brace is not a good sign, regardless. That to me means her knee is too weak to hazard 'without' a brace; pIain and simple. It doesn't matter how many times you fall, what matters is how many times you get back up. If you can't get back up, it's over,..perhaps forever. Sure, a player may want to get back on the court, all well and good for willfulness, but I wouldn't dare to consider it unless that person is cleared 100 % by the medical authorities. You don't get style points for playing cripples.

Sure, Sammy Fatkin may be eligible this year; after missing nearly a third of a season already. She may even be the best player on the team. Who knows. And there's that adage of 'wait till next year;' wherein she could easily pair with Johnston as a redshirt-sophomore platooning with a redshirt-senior at the point guard position, wherein she'd more than likely be the starting PG her junior and senior years, instead of just her senior year, if she plays this year, that is. Why bother throwing a full year away?

Every player is different with injuries. But I would second WGF and lean toward redshirting Sophia. With the LG having been snake bit in recent years with ACL tears it would be just devastating if Sophia reinjured her knee. God forbid she has to go through what Alyssa Sims and Kaylee Valle did---especially with Sophia's talents and skills.

 

[TrueGriz]

Sophie Stiles is in street clothes for NAU game. Looks like she will be red shirting. Fatkin in will be playing

 

[grizzlyjournal]

Sammy dressed & played. In short: she's going to be a huge lift for Montana this year. Today's game is just a hint: 18 minutes, 3-for-6 fg shooting, 7 pts, 2 boards. But she sees the floor exceptionally well on both O and D and thus dished 4 assists, had 3 steals and a block w/ only 1 T.O. In short, she opened up the court for other players & it was nice to see McKenzie Johnston be able to play off the ball (18 pts).