Vandal basketball: Idaho women look to finish unfinished business last year

From news services

MOSCOW — Picked to finish at opposite ends of the Big Sky Conference standings, Idaho's men's and women's basketball teams were among the 11 schools participating in the Big Sky Digital Media Day this week.

The Idaho women were represented by coach Jon Newlee and rising sophomore Beyonce Bea.

The Vandals were picked to win the Big Sky by coaches and media.

Bea and teammate Gina Marxen were selected to the preseason all-conference team as voted on by both the coaches and media.

"I think it is great and well deserved for the years they had last season," Newlee said. "You still have to live up to it. It's all talk right now so they have a lot to go out and prove on the floor, but I think they are both up for that challenge."

Last season ended abruptly for the Vandals as the season was cut short just before the Big Sky Conference Championship game due to COVID-19.

"The situation couldn't of been worse," Newlee said. "It was a punch to the gut. We were getting ready to go to the NCAA tournament. We thought we had a pretty good shot at that. To have that taken away was rough. It was hard on everybody. The months have gone by now, we know it's a new season and it's time to focus on what we have in front of us and not what we have behind us."

"You can't take anything granted. You have to play every game like it's your last and give it your all," Bea said. "I think we are going into the season with that mindset and are all really excited to get back on the court."

In addition to Bea and Marxen the Vandals will be looking for other players to step up this season and fill the gaps left from Lizzy Klinker and Isabelle Hadden, who graduated in the spring. Senior Natalie Klinker, the Vandals' leading rebounder from a year ago, will step into to a bigger role.

"I think Natalie Klinker is the hardest worker on our team," said Newlee. "I told her 'you have to step up vocally now' and I think she has done a great job of that so far."

Klinker is not the only senior for the Vandals this season. She is joined by Allison Kirby (Timberlake High), Nina Carlson (Lake City High) and graduate transfer Gabi Harrington (Montana), all of whom will assume leadership roles.

"Allison Kirby is feeling as good as she has since she's been here," Newlee said. "I think she will bring that leadership along with Nina Carlson. Our seniors have been in the program all these years now and they understand what it takes leadership wise. They've had great role models with [Isabelle] and Lizzy last year. They all understand what their roles are and what they need to bring to the program."

Newlee and his staff reloaded the Vandals roster in the offseason adding in two transfers and two freshmen. The Vandals brought in Harrington, who spent the last four years at the University of Montana, playing in 89 games, to go along with Rylee Alexander a transfer from Pratt Community College.

Along with the transfers Idaho welcomes two highly touted freshmen in Sydney Gandy and Paris Atchley. Gandy, from Orangewood Academy in California, was named the CIF Division 2AA Player of the Year last year. Atchley, from La Jolla Country Day School in California, was part of the No. 1 high school team in the country with a 32-1 record. La Jolla was named the 2019-20 National Champion by Maxpreps.com.

Idaho finished the season 22-9 and 15-5 in the Big Sky while finishing the season on a seven-game win streak.

"We are very excited to get things going, get our season back, and gain some sense of normalcy," Newlee said. "When we are out on the floor, we don't think about COVID, then you go out into the world you see all that is going on. All I know is our team is fired up, ready to go, and I can't wait for the season to start."

The Vandals will begin Big Sky Conference play on Dec. 3 as Sacramento State travels to Moscow.

Idaho's non-conference schedule is to be announced.

Idaho men

Head coach Zac Claus and senior Scott Blakney represented the Vandals, picked to finish 11th (last) in the league by the coaches and media.

Claus praised the five newcomers to the team — freshmen Hunter-Jack Madden, Ethan Kilgore and Tanner Christensen, as well as transfers Kendall McHugh and DeAndre Robinson.

“Our new guys have been terrific," Claus said. "They’ve come in eager; they’ve come in with a work ethic. They’re also being extremely coachable.

He also praised seniors Blakney, Damen Thacker, Chance Garvin, Ja’Vary Christmas and Babacar Thiombane.

“They’ve been a really good example in terms of how we do things," Claus said. "They understand what’s expected. They understand the accountability for yourself and holding your teammates accountable … They’ve been a mentor to the incoming guys… You lean on your seniors and for us, fortunately, we have five terrific ones who are doing a great job so far.”

Blakney addressed the uncertainty of the season and preparing for his senior year.

“It’s kind of unreal and there has been that uncertainty … but it’s starting to feel very real. I’m excited for that, he said.”

The Vandals are scheduled to open Big Sky play on Dec. 3, traveling to Sacramento State.