Believe it or not, the 4A IEL Regional Tournament is around the corner.

In preparation for the Bulldogs’ biggest games of the year, the Bee will highlight one (or two) Sandpoint girls basketball players every issue in the first-ever SHS Basketball Player-a-Day series

The countdown continues with sophomore forward Bella Phillips.

Few things in basketball are as exciting to watch as seeing a younger player discover his or her potential in real time.

Sometimes all it takes is a few made shots. Other times, it’s watching a player’s mental light bulb illuminate when they discover they can pull off moves they’ve practiced in games. Some young players just look like they’re going to be good.

Sophomore forward Bella Phillips is one of those players.

Since the IDHSAA puts a restriction on how many quarters JV/varsity swing athletes can play, Phillips has only gotten a few moments to shine on the varsity team.

Yet she has made the most of these moments, whether it’s been contributing six points to Sandpoint’s second-half comeback against West Valley, contributing crucial minutes when Sandpoint’s front-court gets in foul trouble, or — in perhaps her best stretch of play this season — giving a thin Sandpoint team five points and 12 rebounds during the pair of games Eagle Holiday Classic.

Watch a JV game, and Phillips’s potential becomes clearer.

Against Clark Fork on Jan. 25, Phillips was the only Sandpoint athlete that could get whatever look she wanted. She looked like she was playing at a different speed than everyone else on the floor: Rebounding looked easy, her post moves looked smooth and she shrugged off double and triple-teams with ease.

Once Phillips becomes a full-time varsity player and teams up alongside fellow sophomore Hattie Larson, the Bulldogs will have a versatile, athletic front-court. The future looks bright with Phillips on the court.

Game of note: vs. Cheney in the Eagle Holiday Classic

In Will Love’s words: “Swinging between the varsity and JV can be tough, but Bella has done a great job going between the two. We are excited about Bella’s potential as a scorer and rebounder.”