Eagles undefeated for season

SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Elementary Eagles went undefeated in their regular season with a 16-0 record. Head Coach Brett Haines said this is the first time the team has gone undefeated and they played like they were number one in the tournaments. The Eagles took the championship title for the girls Copper League Small Schools 2019.

In the tournament, the first game was Wednesday night against Clinton. Clinton proved to be no competition for the Eagles winning 57-6.

"At some point I needed to tell my girls to quit playing defense," said Haines.

This put them up against St. Joes in the Championship Game Friday at the University of Montana Adams Center. They beat St. Joes by 12 points two weeks ago, their closest game during the regular season.

"I told my girls come out and play defense like you can and rebound and the game will be yours," said Haines. "We dominated them in the championship game."

Haines said St. Joes has a point guard that was a good shot. They shut her down and took their offense away from them. Haines said when the Eagle's offense got rolling, they could put up some points. The final score was 34-4.

"Our defense just pounded them. And our offense has the ability to put up some points," said Haines. "I was pretty proud of the girls. They played to their ability in the tournament so I was pretty happy with that."

The championship team included six eighth graders and one seventh grader.

Haines said eighth grader Tru Good was a lot of fun to watch play defense and rebound.

"For as small as she is, she was in with the big girls," said Haines. "Tru was clearing rebounds left and right and D-ing people up. She was tough."

Eighth grade Dani Sexton loves the game, gets after it and hustles said Haines. Sexton finished the tournament with a nine-point average. Haines added her defense was a big reason they were able to shut down the other teams' offense.

Haines said eighth grader Emily Maughan is his best offensive player and one of his best defensive players because of her strength and speed. She led the Eagles scoring a 13-point average for the two tournament games.

"She comes out and steals the ball and pressures people," said Haines. "She makes it tough for them."

Haines said eighth grader Kyla Conley was an offensive asset on the inside for Eagles putting up a 11-point average for the tournament.

"She is just fun to watch - some of the up and unders, fakes and cross overs she used in that inside post position really frustrated teams," said Haines. "Defensively she really stepped up."

Eighth grader Grace Mercado averaged seven points in the tournament. Haines said she has really stepped it up this year. Even though she had a hard time getting shots to drop in the tournament, Haines said her defense was great blocking shots and rebounding.

Eighth grader Ava Thornsberry was tough defender and contributed offensively throughout the season. Although she didn't score during the tournament, "her defense and tenacity on the court was great," said Haines.

Eighth graders Tia Good didn't play with the Eagles in the tournament but Haines said that she was a fun player to have on the team and always had a smile. She kept improving and getting more aggressive throughout the season.

Nova Wilkey was the only seventh grader that played with the A team in the tournament. Haines said she did a good job and will be a great team leader next year.

Haines said while he has had good teams in the past, this is the first year they have gone undefeated. He said this year's competition wasn't as strong as in past years but the girls played well this year.

"We just frustrate teams. The girls are real physical players, athletic and they hustle," said Haines. "We are a good, tough team. I really enjoyed this group of girls. It has been fun coaching them. I'll miss them but I'll go watch them in high school."