Lakeland, St. Maries, Kootenai get season started this weekend
<p>Lakeland High's Jordan Ward makes her way upcourt as she approaches the Lake City defense during a Monday at the YEA basketball jamboree in Rathdrum.</p>
Josie Coder was the newcomer of the year in 4A Inland Empire League girls basketball last year as a junior at Lakeland.
This year, the senior will be asked to take on a larger role on a Hawks team loaded with newcomers.
"She shoots really well - last year she had a game where she made seven 3s," Lakeland coach Steve Seymour said. "But now we're asking her to play a little bit more with the ball in her hand rather than run down to the 3-point line and wait for someone to pass her the ball."
Lakeland is one of two local teams to tip off tonight. The Hawks play host to Priest River at 7:30.
Kootenai opens vs. Kellogg at 6 at the Silver Valley Tournament in Mullan. Wallace and Mullan play in the second game at 7:30.
St. Maries opens Saturday at home vs. Lakeland.
On Tuesday, Coeur d'Alene opens at home vs. Moscow, Lake City visits Lakeland, Post Falls opens at Sandpoint, Timberlake opens at home vs. Wallace, and Lakeside opens at home vs. Lapwai.
Coeur d'Alene Charter Academy opens Nov. 27 at home vs. Bonners Ferry.
Coder and senior post Kacie Derby are returning starters from last year's 13-11 squad at Lakeland. Senior guard Jordan Ward started a few games last year as well.
Lakeland graduated nine seniors last year, so newcomers will have to step up this year. Some of those newcomers include senior guard Lena Pote, freshman guard Emily Vanderhoof, sophomore post Kaidan Kelsey and freshman post Savannah Pruitt.
"We're kind of an interesting mix of talented upperclassmen and some hard-working juniors, and some fairly talented freshmen and sophomores," said Seymour, beginning his 18th season as Hawks coach. "We have a pretty good combination of guards and posts, young and old."
St. Maries returns starters Lakin Anxo, a senior post/forward, and Haylee Wardell, a junior wing/point guard, from last year's 7-15 squad. Chelsea Thaut, a junior point guard, and Kerstin Auer, a junior post are probable starters as well.
"I'm hoping we're pretty balanced on offense," said Lumberjacks coach Jay Sines, entering his third season. "We don't have anybody over 5-8, so we're going to have to push the ball and hopefully our guards will step up and score some points for us."
Kootenai is coming off a 4-17 season.