A returning all-state forward and an outstanding point guard are just two of the reasons Thompson Falls’ Lady Hawks basketball team are expected to be one of the top teams in the Western 7B conference and Western B division this season. 

The Lady Hawks went 14-8 last season and qualified for the Western Division tournament in Pablo. Thompson Falls went 8-2 in 7B play last season, just one game being regular season champion St. Ignatius. 

St. Ignatius returns most of its roster from last year and is loaded with underclassmen. Eureka lost two of its 5-11 seniors to graduation but should be a formidable foe, as will Plains, which has a solid group back for another run. 

And while T Falls did not have a senior on the second-place team from last year, they will be without the services of junior Delaney Gerhard, who is out with a knee injury. 

However, and it’s a big however, T Falls is by all accounts loaded for the coming season. 

Heading the group back for another year is all-state selection Gabi Hannum, a 5-9 forward who was selected to the all-state team as a sophomore.  She was also named to the All-conference first team. 

Joining Hannum as a returner with all-star credentials is junior point guard Solveig Nygaard, who was a first team all-conference choice last season, along with sophomore Addy Deal, a 5-7 guard who was named to the conference honorable mention team. 

Those players will be directed by outstanding point guard Oliva Fitchett, a senior who is also an outstanding pitcher on the girls’ softball team.  

“She (Fitchett) is an excellent leader who the other girls look up to and respect,” said head coach Mike Tessier.  “She’ll be a constant for us this year”. 

Fitchett is the only senior on the Lady Hawks roster. 

As for the solid group of returnees, Tessier was quick to list that as a key factor in the team’s success. 

“We didn’t lose anyone to graduation from last season,” Tessier said. “A lot of experience returning.  We also have good team speed and athleticism with good shooters, definitely a strength.  We’re also a tough defensive team”. 

With those positives it might be hard to find areas to improve upon, but Tessier said confidence and aggressiveness on the offensive end will be areas the team focuses on this year. 

The coach, along with longtime assistant coach Sandra Kazmierczak, who is also the school’s volleyball coach, said the 7B battle features several strong teams, including Florence, Anaconda and Missoula Loyola.  They will face Florence, Anaconda and always tough Malta and Fairfield before the Christmas break. 

“We feel like we can play with the top teams in our division,” Tessier said. “With a pretty tough schedule overall, it will be a great experience for us.  We will be a solid team come February”. 

T Falls opens the season this Friday (Dec 6) with a home game versus Florence. 

    Senior point guard Olivia Fitchett goes up for a layup during preseason practice this past week in Thompson Falls.  (Photo by Tracy Scott)