Lady 'Dogs focus on hustle

With only one senior on the roster for the Lady Bulldogs basketball team, prospects for success this season are low — just don't tell that to coach Sean Duff or any of the girls sweating it out at two-a-days.

"Expectations aren't high, being so young," Duff said. "But we want to compete in the conference and make it to state. By the time the middle of season rolls around, we want to be a team that surprises people."

To be competitive in the conference, Duff says, it's going to come down to the little things, like boxing out and diving for every loose ball.

"We have to do the fundamental things really sound," he said. "We have to play hard-nose defense and be the aggressor. If we do the small things right, we'll be competitive. I've never seen kids work this hard, they really bust their tails, so we have a lot to build on."

Jessica Slaybaugh is the team's lone senior and, along with junior Olivia Nagler, will be looked to as a leader on the floor.

Both Slaybaugh and Nagler starred on the Lady Bulldogs volleyball squad, which, according to Duff, helps with their on-court communication.

"They are always competing with each other and getting after it hard," Duff said about the duo. "It's good for the younger kids to see that."

While Slaybaugh and Nagler will be looked to as captains, Duff says there's no star player on the roster.

"This is going to be a team this year," Duff said. "There's no Ashley Ferda or Kate Klundt, who can throw up 20 points a game. We just don't have that. Everybody on this team has to contribute in every game, and that's the game of basketball."

Ashley Ferda now plays for the University of Montana Lady Griz basketball team. Klundt led the Northwest conference in scoring last season.

Duff expects this year's Lady Dogs will pride themselves on defense.

"We want to be the aggressor and make our opponents have turnovers," he said.

The 'Dogs first test of the season comes this week against Class AA Glacier High School.

"It will be a battle to find our style," Duff said. "Glacier will be a great test right off the bat. But you want to start off tough so you know the competition and you know how hard you need to work over Christmas break."

Whitefish opens conference play on Dec. 18 against Polson, a team that Duff says is the preseason favorite to win the league crown. He says Columbia Falls will also be in the mix for the top spot, but Whitefish could be a sleeper pick.

"I do see good things in our future, and I think we'll surprise people," Duff said.