Last season was one of feast and famine for the Lady Braves. On defense they often feasted on their opponents as they gave their all on that end of the court knowing they needed to keep the score as low as possible. Because of this fanatical effort, the girls team finished the season ranked third in Wyoming 4A in points allowed, giving up just 37.3 points per game. This was necessitated because of the famine on offense where Star Valley scored just 29.9 per game, the second-lowest in the class only in front of Cheyenne South.

Every season results in a different team and this campaign will be no different with seven departing seniors. Head Coach Kade Erickson commented on the changeover.

“It kind of started back in the summer,” he stated. “We lost those seven seniors and had Kenlee [Engelhardt) coming back with experience. Cam [Erickson] was back too, but Cam missed most of last season. They played so good in summer ball, they went 14-4 overall and went 10-0 in our last ten.”

Erickson added that the games were played at Utah Valley University and at Sugar-Salem High School.

“Im excited about this group of girls,” he continued. “We’re a bit inexperienced outside those two players and then Maddie [Hale] who played some last year. We’re hoping to ride some confidence with her from volleyball where she had such a great season. The last few days we saw a lot of good things and we’re pretty dang excited about this upcoming season.”

Erickson commented on what he and his staff has seen so far after a week of practice.

“This year our shooting percentage will go up a lot,” he said. “Cam looks really good down low and shoots the outside shot with confidence and some other shots. I’m excited for her to see what she can do for us. Kenlee is hit or miss on the outside but she can get to the rim and her defensive points are huge. Maddie and Sheridan Coles did a lot of good things for us this summer. Bailey Erickson will be a huge asset. I thought Delancy Brog put in a lot of time too so we’re excited about that.”

Erickson also praised the experience of his returning staff of Kade Wilkes, Jason Cazier and Shaelynn Hathaway.

We will lean on our great coaching staff which I am so grateful to have,” he concluded.

The Lady Braves will begin their season with tournament play in Riverton where they will face off against Laramie at 6 pm on Thursday, December 8. The team will not only play against Cheyenne South on Friday afternoon at 4 pm, but will also fill in for a missing team against the Lander Tigers on Friday morning. The team will conclude on Saturday December 10 against Sheridan at 3 pm.