It has been a while for the Flathead Braves and Bravettes. Actually the last time they stepped on the court was January 11th against Glacier. I know the kids had Finals last week and hopefully that went really well for all of them, but it has felt like a start and stop season for both teams.
Both teams have one win and one loss on the season and this weekend is a crucial one. The battle with the Helena schools on either side is always big but this first match-up will tell us a lot. With the Bravettes can they find a way to either upset or stay close with the Lady Bengals and Lady Bruins. If the Braves want to get back to the state tournament they will have to get past the Bengals. A team that upset them in the divisional tournament last year.
Flathead Bravettes 5-3 (1-1) vs Helena High Lady Bengals 9-0 (2-0)
The Bravettes will look to shake off some of the offensive rust. Against Glacier they only scored 24 points. I know head coach Tricia Dean wants to see her girls be more aggressive on the offensive end. Defensively this team is really good, they rank 3rd in the Western Conference. The question I have what do you try and do? Do you let Pickens beat you by being a one woman army and not allowing teammates to get involved or by limiting Pickens and forcing someone else to beat you? Something I am sure Coach Tricia Dean has been working on all week. While Helena will have the size advantage the Bravettes will have to use their speed to get around the Bengals press defense. This will be an exciting game for the home fans at Flathead High School.
My 3 keys to the game
Continue playing stellar Defense
Cause chaos and turnovers...
Get Taylor, Jenna, and Maddie going offensively.
Flathead Braves 4-4 (1-1) vs Helena Bengals 4-5 (1-1)
The place that has very bad memories from a season ago. The Braves will look to exercise some demons tonight inside the Helena high gym. The Braves will look to stop Helena's three point shooting. Helena ranks first in the conference with 38% 3pt shooting so far this season. Pierce Brown and Connor Murgal are the two most dangerous shooters on the floor for Brandan Day's Bengals. Helena will also have some physical presence with Alex Johnson, and Holden Sampson. The Braves I think will look to match that with guys like Gabe Adams, Andrew Siderious, and Blake Counts. The Braves will need to match and perhaps even be more physical then Helena in this one.
Tannen Beyl has been a steady presence in the post leading the team in rebound and among the rebounding leaders in Class AA. Tannen has been averaging 7ppg while snagging 8 rebounds per-game. Stephen Bridges and Brett Thompson are the most dangerous shooters for the Braves and they will need to play a big part with hitting some big shots tonight. When those guys get going this team gets really dangerous.
My 3 Keys to the Game
Make the Bengal shooters feel uncomfortable
Cause turnovers against the team that commits the fewest
Limit the number of turnovers
Dominate points in the paint
You can listen to Flathead vs Helena on AM 600 and FM 96.5 or listen on the KGEZ App or online at KGEZ.com.