Lady Griz season opener: First Impressions

[grizzlyjournal]

Just got back from watching Montana women’s basketball beat a well coached Lewis-Clark State squad, 81-69 while giving every rostered player in uniform decent minutes. I observed an entire court-full of new looks and other stuff, but will make this pretty brief (I think) because a very good Carroll College squad will come to town Tuesday. That game should reveal quite a bit more about this year’s Montana team.

1 -- Madi Schoening did not play, which means the absence of a valuable offensive player. Also: On the court... three knee braces. Three lightly taped shoulders.
2. -- I am not certain about this, but it looks like there are a few tweaks in Montana’s zone D (which was a bit rusty). Looks like they’re moving to more of a matchup style along the perimeter, probably because of a deep guard rotation.
3. -- Every player saw significant minutes in the first quarter, so things lacked flow until a 3-guard lineup on defense forced several consecutive L&C turnovers, boosting Montana to a 16 point lead, which was pretty much maintained for the rest of the game. Important, because a defensive lineup of Sammy Fatkin, Sofia Stiles, Gabbi Harrington and McKenzie Johnston turned the flow of the game quickly.
4. -- Compared to the past three seasons, this team is DEEP. That’s probably the most encouraging sign to me. Three solid low posts players in Emma Stockholm, Abby Anderson and Jamie Pickens immediately gives this team a solid boost. Add in solid frontcourt play from Kylie Frolich, Carmen Gfeller and Shelby Schweyen and Montana suddenly looks like it’ll hold its own along the baseline. Montana got 37 points from its frontcourt players tonight (Pickens-11, Stockholm-10, Frohich-6, Anderson-6, and 4 from Shelby Schweyen.
5. -- Some promise of balanced offense. Three players in double figures, but I think the team has 5-6 players capable of consisternt double-digit scoring.
6. -- Player of the Game: Gabi Harrington. The junior showed flashes of impressive play in several games last season. Tonight, fans got a full game. If Gabi can build on this, Montana has an outside-inside attack capable of making defenses collapse. Gabi’s line: 24 points on 8-13 shooting, 4-7 from beyond the arc, 4-4 on free throws, 8 rebounds and 2 assists with only one turnover. She drives the baseline very well. More… Abby Anderson started at post, and played an outstanding game. She’s playing with aggressiveness and confidence. Jamie Pickens? She plays defense like a freshman; she posts up and rebounds like a seasoned vet. She will make an impact this season.
7. -- Guard depth: McKenzie Johnston is still the Montana go-to point guard for a ton of very good reasons. However, the return of Sophia Stiles and the vastly improved all-court play of Sammy Fatkin is a very good sign. If Johnston is on the bench, Fatkin in particular and Stiles (who has been off the court for well over a year now) will run the team capably. I really admire so many things about Johnston, though… starting with her toughness. She took a hard elbow to the jaw tonight, but played through it… and was stellar. Her all-court vision is outstanding, her defensive vision is also top notch, and she makes this team crank. Proof? Though she shot a poor 3-10 from the field, she snared 6 rebounds (a tie with Pickens) had 0 (zero) turnovers, and dished 12 assists, which tied the number of the entire L&C squad. Perhaps more importantly, Montana had 23 total assists on the evening. Stiles (1-4/0-2) will be valuable, but she looked a bit apprehensive, which I can understand. Fatkin shot only 2-5, but played outstanding defense. Taylor Goligoski is a sort-of crescent wrench guard: she can play everywhere, and she was all over the court tonight. She shows signs of full improvement from last year’s injury, though she didn’t shoot as well tonight as she will.
8. -- Balance: Every player but Carmen Gfeller and Jordyn Schweyen scored, though both had wide open looks.
9. -- SO… with that said, the story of this team is DEPTH. That may cause some issues in early games as coaches work with different lineups. It’ll get a very tough test next Tuesday from Carroll College. But there’s a lot of room for growth & improvement.
P.S. Oh yeah… one last point. At every time out, Nathan Covill — clipboard in hand — pulled a frontcourt player aside & gave a 1-on-1 mini-clinic. He can’t be missed.

 

[TrueGriz]

Madi Schoening did suit up, warmed up with the team. But did not play. Other than that, good write up.

 

[TrueGriz]

Also, there was a concerning moment in the fourth quarter. Sophia Stiles was taken out of the game noticing a slight limp. She sprained her ankle a little but she walked it off and got back into the game shortly after. Nothing to worry about but it was close to her having a bad knee, a bumb shoulder, and a twisted ankle. Thankfully, it was minor. Never know when the next serious injury is going to happen after what has occurred the past 3 years.

 

[maroonandsilver]

Fun to watch Nate coach. He is very active and vocal.

 

[Grizwald32]

Just got back from watching Montana women’s basketball beat a well coached Lewis-Clark State squad, 81-69 while giving every rostered player in uniform decent minutes. I observed an entire court-full of new looks and other stuff, but will make this pretty brief (I think) because a very good Carroll College squad will come to town Tuesday. That game should reveal quite a bit more about this year’s Montana team.

1 -- Madi Schoening did not play, which means the absence of a valuable offensive player. Also: On the court... three knee braces. Three lightly taped shoulders.
2. -- I am not certain about this, but it looks like there are a few tweaks in Montana’s zone D (which was a bit rusty). Looks like they’re moving to more of a matchup style along the perimeter, probably because of a deep guard rotation.
3. -- Every player saw significant minutes in the first quarter, so things lacked flow until a 3-guard lineup on defense forced several consecutive L&C turnovers, boosting Montana to a 16 point lead, which was pretty much maintained for the rest of the game. Important, because a defensive lineup of Sammy Fatkin, Sofia Stiles, Gabbi Harrington and McKenzie Johnston turned the flow of the game quickly.
4. -- Compared to the past three seasons, this team is DEEP. That’s probably the most encouraging sign to me. Three solid low posts players in Emma Stockholm, Abby Anderson and Jamie Pickens immediately gives this team a solid boost. Add in solid frontcourt play from Kylie Frolich, Carmen Gfeller and Shelby Schweyen and Montana suddenly looks like it’ll hold its own along the baseline. Montana got 37 points from its frontcourt players tonight (Pickens-11, Stockholm-10, Frohich-6, Anderson-6, and 4 from Shelby Schweyen.
5. -- Some promise of balanced offense. Three players in double figures, but I think the team has 5-6 players capable of consisternt double-digit scoring.
6. -- Player of the Game: Gabi Harrington. The junior showed flashes of impressive play in several games last season. Tonight, fans got a full game. If Gabi can build on this, Montana has an outside-inside attack capable of making defenses collapse. Gabi’s line: 24 points on 8-13 shooting, 4-7 from beyond the arc, 4-4 on free throws, 8 rebounds and 2 assists with only one turnover. She drives the baseline very well. More… Abby Anderson started at post, and played an outstanding game. She’s playing with aggressiveness and confidence. Jamie Pickens? She plays defense like a freshman; she posts up and rebounds like a seasoned vet. She will make an impact this season.
7. -- Guard depth: McKenzie Johnston is still the Montana go-to point guard for a ton of very good reasons. However, the return of Sophia Stiles and the vastly improved all-court play of Sammy Fatkin is a very good sign. If Johnston is on the bench, Fatkin in particular and Stiles (who has been off the court for well over a year now) will run the team capably. I really admire so many things about Johnston, though… starting with her toughness. She took a hard elbow to the jaw tonight, but played through it… and was stellar. Her all-court vision is outstanding, her defensive vision is also top notch, and she makes this team crank. Proof? Though she shot a poor 3-10 from the field, she snared 6 rebounds (a tie with Pickens) had 0 (zero) turnovers, and dished 12 assists, which tied the number of the entire L&C squad. Perhaps more importantly, Montana had 23 total assists on the evening. Stiles (1-4/0-2) will be valuable, but she looked a bit apprehensive, which I can understand. Fatkin shot only 2-5, but played outstanding defense. Taylor Goligoski is a sort-of crescent wrench guard: she can play everywhere, and she was all over the court tonight. She shows signs of full improvement from last year’s injury, though she didn’t shoot as well tonight as she will.
8. -- Balance: Every player but Carmen Gfeller and Jordyn Schweyen scored, though both had wide open looks.
9. -- SO… with that said, the story of this team is DEPTH. That may cause some issues in early games as coaches work with different lineups. It’ll get a very tough test next Tuesday from Carroll College. But there’s a lot of room for growth & improvement.
P.S. Oh yeah… one last point. At every time out, Nathan Covill — clipboard in hand — pulled a frontcourt player aside & gave a 1-on-1 mini-clinic. He can’t be missed.

Nice little write up. I will have to disagree about one thing though. McKenzie Johnston is not a true point guard. Her vision on the court is lacking. She has talent but not at the point. Everyone should look good against an inferior opponent. There is one glaring deficit that comes from this exhibition game and that is the fact that an NAIA team scored 69 points against us - a division 1 team. The fact we we only outscored them by 12 points is not a good showing. Let's not go skipping down Championship lane just yet. The true test will be 11/15 against Fresno State.

 

[TrueGriz]

Just got back from watching Montana women’s basketball beat a well coached Lewis-Clark State squad, 81-69 while giving every rostered player in uniform decent minutes. I observed an entire court-full of new looks and other stuff, but will make this pretty brief (I think) because a very good Carroll College squad will come to town Tuesday. That game should reveal quite a bit more about this year’s Montana team.

1 -- Madi Schoening did not play, which means the absence of a valuable offensive player. Also: On the court... three knee braces. Three lightly taped shoulders.
2. -- I am not certain about this, but it looks like there are a few tweaks in Montana’s zone D (which was a bit rusty). Looks like they’re moving to more of a matchup style along the perimeter, probably because of a deep guard rotation.
3. -- Every player saw significant minutes in the first quarter, so things lacked flow until a 3-guard lineup on defense forced several consecutive L&C turnovers, boosting Montana to a 16 point lead, which was pretty much maintained for the rest of the game. Important, because a defensive lineup of Sammy Fatkin, Sofia Stiles, Gabbi Harrington and McKenzie Johnston turned the flow of the game quickly.
4. -- Compared to the past three seasons, this team is DEEP. That’s probably the most encouraging sign to me. Three solid low posts players in Emma Stockholm, Abby Anderson and Jamie Pickens immediately gives this team a solid boost. Add in solid frontcourt play from Kylie Frolich, Carmen Gfeller and Shelby Schweyen and Montana suddenly looks like it’ll hold its own along the baseline. Montana got 37 points from its frontcourt players tonight (Pickens-11, Stockholm-10, Frohich-6, Anderson-6, and 4 from Shelby Schweyen.
5. -- Some promise of balanced offense. Three players in double figures, but I think the team has 5-6 players capable of consisternt double-digit scoring.
6. -- Player of the Game: Gabi Harrington. The junior showed flashes of impressive play in several games last season. Tonight, fans got a full game. If Gabi can build on this, Montana has an outside-inside attack capable of making defenses collapse. Gabi’s line: 24 points on 8-13 shooting, 4-7 from beyond the arc, 4-4 on free throws, 8 rebounds and 2 assists with only one turnover. She drives the baseline very well. More… Abby Anderson started at post, and played an outstanding game. She’s playing with aggressiveness and confidence. Jamie Pickens? She plays defense like a freshman; she posts up and rebounds like a seasoned vet. She will make an impact this season.
7. -- Guard depth: McKenzie Johnston is still the Montana go-to point guard for a ton of very good reasons. However, the return of Sophia Stiles and the vastly improved all-court play of Sammy Fatkin is a very good sign. If Johnston is on the bench, Fatkin in particular and Stiles (who has been off the court for well over a year now) will run the team capably. I really admire so many things about Johnston, though… starting with her toughness. She took a hard elbow to the jaw tonight, but played through it… and was stellar. Her all-court vision is outstanding, her defensive vision is also top notch, and she makes this team crank. Proof? Though she shot a poor 3-10 from the field, she snared 6 rebounds (a tie with Pickens) had 0 (zero) turnovers, and dished 12 assists, which tied the number of the entire L&C squad. Perhaps more importantly, Montana had 23 total assists on the evening. Stiles (1-4/0-2) will be valuable, but she looked a bit apprehensive, which I can understand. Fatkin shot only 2-5, but played outstanding defense. Taylor Goligoski is a sort-of crescent wrench guard: she can play everywhere, and she was all over the court tonight. She shows signs of full improvement from last year’s injury, though she didn’t shoot as well tonight as she will.
8. -- Balance: Every player but Carmen Gfeller and Jordyn Schweyen scored, though both had wide open looks.
9. -- SO… with that said, the story of this team is DEPTH. That may cause some issues in early games as coaches work with different lineups. It’ll get a very tough test next Tuesday from Carroll College. But there’s a lot of room for growth & improvement.
P.S. Oh yeah… one last point. At every time out, Nathan Covill — clipboard in hand — pulled a frontcourt player aside & gave a 1-on-1 mini-clinic. He can’t be missed.

Nice little write up. I will have to disagree about one thing though. McKenzie Johnston is not a true point guard. Her vision on the court is lacking. She has talent but not at the point. Everyone should look good against an inferior opponent. There is one glaring deficit that comes from this exhibition game and that is the fact that an NAIA team scored 69 points against us - a division 1 team. The fact we we only outscored them by 12 points is not a good showing. Let's not go skipping down Championship lane just yet. The true test will be 11/15 against Fresno State.

The offense is there (at least when Harrington can score 20+ points. Without Harrington getting hot Lady Griz would have lost).

The defense is not there yet but kind of expected when playing as many of the younger players. Obviously, for the Lady Griz success, they will need to improve their defense.

This game was an exhibition game and so is the next. they do not count. So, I expect Shannon will play every player on the bench with as many combinations as possible. Therefore, it may be another close game and defense may be lacking at times due to the younger players on the court.

 

[Griz1]

Grizwald32 if I read Grizzlyjournal's post correctly and McKenzie Johnston had 12 assists and 0 turnovers. When have you ever seen that from a point guard or anyone else for that matter? Obviously she must have some vision. I know 1 game doesn't make a season but good grief give credit when credit is due.

 

[griz71]

Grizwald32 if I read Grizzlyjournal's post correctly and McKenzie Johnston had 12 assists and 0 turnovers. When have you ever seen that from a point guard or anyone else for that matter? Obviously she must have some vision. I know 1 game doesn't make a season but good grief give credit when credit is due.

:thumb: :clap:

 

[Grizwald32]

Grizwald32 if I read Grizzlyjournal's post correctly and McKenzie Johnston had 12 assists and 0 turnovers. When have you ever seen that from a point guard or anyone else for that matter? Obviously she must have some vision. I know 1 game doesn't make a season but good grief give credit when credit is due.

Nope. I have watched her since she came to the Ladies. She is not a point guard. Peyton Souvenir from LC is a point guard. And a better one than Johnston. Sophie is a point guard as is Sammy. Katie was a Point guard. Besides 12 assists(3.9avg in conference last year) against an NAIA team is nothing. Johnston isn't even really a shooting guard(.259% 3pt.) She is a 3 guard. If Shannon plays Sophie at the 1 Gabi at the 2 and Johnston at the 3, that is a winning combo. I think as the season goes on and Sammy gets more minutes she may take MJ's spot(Shannon will never allow it though) . But lets talk injuries for a minute. If MJ is so valuable why in ***l would Shannon play her for 32 minutes in an exhibition game?? MJ has a torn knee. This is where Shannon is an idiot. The injuries by the Lady Griz are not coincidence. The wear and tear on a healthy athlete is very high under normal circumstances. I saw a lot of knee braces and taped shoulders out there. Shannon's job is on the line and I fear she will play these kids until they break and then claim "INJURY" AGAIN. MJ can't play the whole game every week with a torn knee and expect to be 100% come February. I may be wrong but the last 3 seasons seem to support my conclusion. The last two weeks of November will give us a better footing to see where we really are.

 

[Happygriz1]

Grizwald32 if I read Grizzlyjournal's post correctly and McKenzie Johnston had 12 assists and 0 turnovers. When have you ever seen that from a point guard or anyone else for that matter? Obviously she must have some vision. I know 1 game doesn't make a season but good grief give credit when credit is due.

Nope. I have watched her since she came to the Ladies. She is not a point guard. Peyton Souvenir from LC is a point guard. And a better one than Johnston. Sophie is a point guard as is Sammy. Katie was a Point guard. Besides 12 assists(3.9avg in conference last year) against an NAIA team is nothing. Johnston isn't even really a shooting guard(.259% 3pt.) She is a 3 guard. If Shannon plays Sophie at the 1 Gabi at the 2 and Johnston at the 3, that is a winning combo. I think as the season goes on and Sammy gets more minutes she may take MJ's spot(Shannon will never allow it though) . But lets talk injuries for a minute. If MJ is so valuable why in ***l would Shannon play her for 32 minutes in an exhibition game?? MJ has a torn knee. This is where Shannon is an idiot. The injuries by the Lady Griz are not coincidence. The wear and tear on a healthy athlete is very high under normal circumstances. I saw a lot of knee braces and taped shoulders out there. Shannon's job is on the line and I fear she will play these kids until they break and then claim "INJURY" AGAIN. MJ can't play the whole game every week with a torn knee and expect to be 100% come February. I may be wrong but the last 3 seasons seem to support my conclusion. The last two weeks of November will give us a better footing to see where we really are.

I agree, I am in complete confusion after watching and seeing Sammy fatkin not getting more minutes. Arguably the quickest guard in the floor, Knock down shooter, and fairly decent defense(which she showcased in the Martin and silver scrimmage) in my opinion Fatkin has the capacity to run this team this season. But what’s up with Shannon and her lack of time for fatkin. Also seen through critical times in last season. Shannon would not start her and then play her once the game was winding down and it was almost to late just to pull her when fatkin caught them back up. All I’m saying is fatkin and Harrington are the core of this team and Shannon isn’t acting like she’ll be playing that way with her lineup this season

 

[TrueGriz]

By the way, This is really the first I noticed the thread title mentioning this is the season opener.

sorry, This game is not the season opener, it is next week 11/05/2019, Tuesday, at 11:30am. It will be a near sellout with school kids from everywhere.

So maybe, Grizjournal, you should retitle the thread to maybe "first exhibition game". Second Exhibition game is tomorrow.

 

[grizzlyjournal]

TrueGriz: You are correct. My headline is incorrect. Montana's games vs. L&C State and Carroll are exhibitions. Since I'm going to the game tonight vs. a very tough Saints squad, I'll try to do a brief writeup of "Second Impressions." Frankly, though, I'm not certain exactly "how" Montana's first two exhibitions of the season (L&C State and Carroll) and Montrana's "actual First" game of the season vs. MSU Northern, are different. All three are Frontier Conference schools

P. S. re: Carroll College. I just read an interesting opion piece in a basketball blog (SBNation, I think) noting how the line (upper vs lower etc.) between the best NAIA and DII schools and the majority of D1 schools -- both men and women -- are virtually nonexistent. There have already been "upsets" this season... except they don't count as upsets yet, because they aren't games in the "official" sense. Until next week. The Saints are one of those schools. Two of my friends, who closely follow all Montana schools (h.s. and college) describe Carroll as good enough this season to be an upper tier Big Sky school. I think today's Missoulian article says the same. The Saints are a worthy opponent -- are currently the 7th Ranked NAIA women's team nationally -- and they'll have quite a few fans in house tonight. Link below: https://406mtsports.com/college/big-sky-conference/university-of-montana/last-test-run-montana-lady-griz-to-host-naia-powerhouse/article_1b85a632-3c29-5adf-a3b7-3c6d67de5b4f.html

 

[Grizwald32]

Grizwald32 if I read Grizzlyjournal's post correctly and McKenzie Johnston had 12 assists and 0 turnovers. When have you ever seen that from a point guard or anyone else for that matter? Obviously she must have some vision. I know 1 game doesn't make a season but good grief give credit when credit is due.

Nope. I have watched her since she came to the Ladies. She is not a point guard. Peyton Souvenir from LC is a point guard. And a better one than Johnston. Sophie is a point guard as is Sammy. Katie was a Point guard. Besides 12 assists(3.9avg in conference last year) against an NAIA team is nothing. Johnston isn't even really a shooting guard(.259% 3pt.) She is a 3 guard. If Shannon plays Sophie at the 1 Gabi at the 2 and Johnston at the 3, that is a winning combo. I think as the season goes on and Sammy gets more minutes she may take MJ's spot(Shannon will never allow it though) . But lets talk injuries for a minute. If MJ is so valuable why in ***l would Shannon play her for 32 minutes in an exhibition game?? MJ has a torn knee. This is where Shannon is an idiot. The injuries by the Lady Griz are not coincidence. The wear and tear on a healthy athlete is very high under normal circumstances. I saw a lot of knee braces and taped shoulders out there. Shannon's job is on the line and I fear she will play these kids until they break and then claim "INJURY" AGAIN. MJ can't play the whole game every week with a torn knee and expect to be 100% come February. I may be wrong but the last 3 seasons seem to support my conclusion. The last two weeks of November will give us a better footing to see where we really are.

I agree, I am in complete confusion after watching and seeing Sammy fatkin not getting more minutes. Arguably the quickest guard in the floor, Knock down shooter, and fairly decent defense(which she showcased in the Martin and silver scrimmage) in my opinion Fatkin has the capacity to run this team this season. But what’s up with Shannon and her lack of time for fatkin. Also seen through critical times in last season. Shannon would not start her and then play her once the game was winding down and it was almost to late just to pull her when fatkin caught them back up. All I’m saying is fatkin and Harrington are the core of this team and Shannon isn’t acting like she’ll be playing that way with her lineup this season

You are right. Shannon calling the game is part of the problem. She consistently has the wrong rotation. She sits her defensive players in favor of her "shooters"(who aren't that good) and expects to shoot her way to a victory. She has done this since she took over. Doesn't work when you are a bad shooting team. Robin was a defensive coach first and won many games because of his mindset. This is one reason why we need a new coach, with a different philosophy and other things.