Last season: 5-14 (0-6 in 2A SIC); 0-2 at 2A District 1-2 tournament

Coaches: Chris Cavanaugh, head coach, second year; Jordan Adams, assistant coach.

Key returners: Piper Scarlett, G, sr.; Priscilla Mayorga, PF/C, sr.; Gracie Stevens, G, so.

Key newcomers: Kiylah Anderson, PF/C, fr.; Vanessa Rogier, G/F, fr.; Elyssa Raynor, G, so. 

Key losses to graduation: Hannah Thompson, G; Aliyah Leadbetter, G.

Outlook: Just seven players are out this year for the Lady Cats, which are coming off a 5-14 season that saw an 0-6 performance in their 2A Scenic Conference debut. Despite low numbers, even playing with just five healthy players at times across the first four games of the season, they've seemed to have closed the gap, falling to the Lady Miners by just eight points, 36-28, in Silver Valley Tournament play with no bench players.

Due to the graduation of all-league selection and former Daily Bee Athlete of the Week Hannah Thompson, seniors Priscilla Mayorga and Piper Scarlett, who head coach Chris Cavanaugh has been coaching since junior high, will step into larger leadership roles. Mayorga, who scored 10 points against Wallace last week, can do a little bit of everything and has a great eye in the passing game. Scarlett will facilitate the offense as the team's primary ballhandler and can hit some long-range shots from time-to-time. 

Incoming freshmen Kiylah Anderson and Vanessa Rogier, both standouts on the volleyball court, are set to shine on the basketball court as well. The duo were both a part of last year's 19-0 junior high team and will give the Lady Cats a needed boost this season. Rogier, known for her stellar defense, has already scored team-high's in points in multiple games this season. Anderson, who pulled down many double-doubles a year ago, will look to fill in for foreign exchange student Kathi Rupp on the boards.

Watch out for sophomores Gracie Stevens, Elyssa Raynor and Azelynn Petersen to take big leaps forward. Stevens and Petersen are both scoring threats while Raynor has been praised for her high energy and steady defensive presence in the early going.

As for the schedule, it's your run-of-the-mill Clark Fork schedule that will see a variety of area varsity and some local junior varsity squads from bigger school district's such as Kellogg and Bonners Ferry. New to the slate is Kootenai Classical Academy of Post Falls, a charter school that is facing a consortium of area varsity and junior varsity teams this season such as Priest River, Mullan, Kootenai, etc. The SIC will be made up of just three teams this year, Clark Fork, Lakeside, and Wallace, as Genesis Prep of Post Falls was unable to field a team due to low numbers.

Coach Chris Cavanaugh said the team's success will be largely based on limiting turnovers, staying healthy, and being able to rebound with the tallest players on the roster, Anderson and Mayorga, standing at roughly 5 feet, 6 inches tall.

Coach's comments:

"Kiylah and Vanessa are more prepped for play at the varsity level than compared to freshman in years past. They're both great athletes." — Coach Chris Cavanaugh on his incoming freshman

"Just to see how they've matured over the years, not just as players, but as people, has been pretty cool to witness. I love what they've helped build. They're the ones that are leading the charge." — Coach Chris Cavanaugh on his senior captains Piper Scarlett and Priscilla Mayorga 

"Our biggest strength is going to be our effort; we're a short team, but we don't really get tired. The attitude, effort and positivity this year has been a lot better than it's been in the past." — Coach Chris Cavanaugh on the key to a successful season

Clark Fork Girls Basketball Schedule

11/17 — at Post Falls JV, 7 p.m.

11/18 — vs. Lakeside, 6 p.m.

11/21-11/22 — at Silver Valley Tournament (Wallace)

12/4 — vs. Priest River, 6 p.m.

12/8 — at Wallace, 6 p.m.

12/10 — at Mullan, 5:30 p.m.

12/11 — vs. Kootenai Classical, 5:30 p.m.

12/18 — at Kootenai, 5:30 p.m.

1/6 — vs. Wallace, 5:30 p.m.

1/7 — vs. Kellogg JV, 6 p.m.

1/8 — at Bonners Ferry JV, 6 p.m.

1/13 — vs. Mullan, 5:30 p.m.

1/15 — at Kootenai Classical, 6 p.m.

1/19 — at Priest River, 6 p.m.

1/27 — vs. Bonners Ferry JV, 6 p.m.

1/29 — vs. Kootenai, 5:30 p.m.

1/31 — at Lakeside, 12:30 p.m.

2/6 —  vs. Sandpoint JV2, 6 p.m.

2024 RESULTS

11/15 — vs. Post Falls JV, L 56-17

11/19 — vs. Lakeside, L 68-33

12/3 — at Selkirk, L 66-23

12/5 — vs. Priest River, L 53-23

12/10 — vs. Wallace, L 53-34

12/12 — vs. Noxon, W 41-34

12/13 — vs. Mullan, W 55-28

12/17 — vs. Genesis Prep, L 46-23

12/19 — vs. Kootenai, W 48-38

1/7 — at Mullan, W 39-14

1/9 — vs. Selkirk, L 49-44

1/14 — at Wallace, L 52-18

1/16 — at Noxon, L 42-30

1/21 — at Kellogg, L 50-21

1/23 — at Genesis Prep, L 54-18

1/30 — at Kootenai, W 41-38

2/1 — at Lakeside, L 72-27

2/4 — at Lakeside, L 72-23

2/6 — at Wallace, L 53-23

    Clark Fork High sophomore guard Azelynn Petersen looks to make her way in between two Lakeside defenders during a home game last season.