Experience driving lady Wolverines this season

The Weiser High School girls’ basketball team is looking to improve on its 3A state consolation finish from a year ago and an early 3-0 start in 2022-23 is a step in the right direction.

 So far, the Wolverines have beaten Nampa Christian 55-18, Emmett 48-20, and 4A Ontario 70-1 – and no, that’s not a typo.

 “They had one point and we scored 70,” said Wolverine head coach Laraine Harrison. “They just were not very good. It was tough for them. The clock even ran the whole second half and we pulled our starters off.

 “I have to give them credit, though, because they didn’t give up or get dirty or frustrated. They kept playing hard, so kudos to them for doing that.”

 Harrison credits her team’s early success, in part, on the fact that only one starter, standout Ivy Morris, was lost to graduation, leaving the rest of the crew intact.

 “Ivy was pretty solid for us, but we still have the rest of our starters,” Harrison said. “It’s one of those years where everyone knows the plays and they know the expectations, so it’s just about refining all of those little things and getting better so you aren’t teaching everything over again. It’s really nice that way because you are improving where you left off.”

 A 3-0 start is promising, but the season is young and tests remain, including two more 4A matchups. The Wolverines face the Skyview Hawks (3-2) this Friday (Dec. 9) in Nampa and the Vallivue Falcons (0-5) at home Tuesday, Dec. 20.

 Anticipated conference matchups include Parma (5-0) on Thursday, Dec. 15; Fruitland (3-2) at home on Monday, Dec. 19; McCall (3-2) at home Saturday, Jan. 7; and Homedale (3-2) Tuesday, Jan. 10.

 “Parma and Fruitland are going to be tough,” Harrison said. “McCall is always the unknown because we don’t hear much about them, but they always seem pretty athletic. Homedale, which has not been very good in the past, actually has a really good, young team. They have some up-and-coming young kids that will be getting better.”

 IdahoSports.com currently lists Weiser second in 3A SRV Conference standings behind No. 1 Parma, and ahead of No. 3 Fruitland. McCall-Donnelly is No. 4, Homedale No. 5, and Payette No. 6.

 Fruitland won conference last season, Weiser beating the Grizzlies at the state tournament to earn the 3A Consolation trophy, or fourth place.

 In order to win the conference crown this year, the Wolverines will need to make some improvements, according to Harrison.

 “I think one of the areas that we really need to work on offensively is our outside perimeter shooting,” she said. “We don’t have any real consistent, outside three-point shooters. In practice, they are taking their shots and I think they are definitely improving, but if we get one of those, we are going to be super good, and I know Brady Reed is stepping up for us, as well as Tobie Noyer.”

 Harrison said her team also needs to get better at taking care of the ball.

 “We like to play fast and that’s good, but we have to be fast and in control,” she said. “Anybody can play fast and out of control. You want to play quick and get the ball up and down the court, but also make sure you are making good choices.”

 All in all, Harrison said her team is in a good position to win games this year.

 “We are excited, and the girls have bought in and are working hard,” she said. “I feel really good about this group. They are fun to coach, and they want to do well, so that’s nice from a coaching perspective to have that.”