Lady Chiefs look to stay on top of conference

Lady Chiefs prepared for high expectations

MOSES LAKE - The Lady Chiefs girls basketball program fell just six points shy of the 4A state championship last season and head coach Matt Strophy said his team will be looking to improve on their second place finish this season.

The Lady Chiefs wrapped up the preseason Monday night with two jamboree games before opening the 2008-2009 season tonight at Post Falls High School in Idaho.

Moses Lake won the Columbia Basin Big Nine conference last season with a 11-1 conference record and finished 24-6 overall. The Lady Chiefs advanced to the state championship game where they ultimately fell 42-37 to Lewis and Clark.

The Lady Chiefs have progressed during the preseason and Strophy said his team still has work to do.

"Overall, we did well," he said. "Better than I thought coming into (the jamboree). We have some glaring things that the girls are aware of."

With their season beginning tonight, Strophy says his team needs to condition themselves for the rigorous season.

"(We need to work on) communication and fatigue," he said. "Those go hand in hand. Obviously, the more tired you are, the less you want to talk."

The Lady Chiefs will continue to develop their skills throughout the season, Strophy said.

"At this point we are focusing more on the defense rather than the offense," he said.

While the Lady Chiefs graduated two starters from last year's team, Strophy said he has dedicated players prepared to fill those vacated roles.

"Chayla Hirz has stepped up," he said. "She has really blossomed as a senior in that starting role at one of the guard positions. I am really pleased with her progress from last year, to this summer and into this year."

Strophy said he was apprehensive heading into the season but Hirz has helped ease those worries.

"She makes me feel real comfortable going into this season," he said. "Replacing two starters you are always a little bit skeptical. How are they going to replace those kids from last year? I think she has done a phenomenal job so far."

While Hirz has stepped it up for Strophy and Moses Lake, seniors Carly Noyes and Kelly Sutherland and sophomore Jordan Loera help lead the Lady Chiefs into the season.

"They are doing what they are supposed to do," he said. "They are pretty good no matter what."

Noyes signed a national letter of intent to play basketball next season at Washington State University.

The success of the Moses Lake program depends on Strophy's players staying on the court, he said.

"We need to stay healthy," he said. "That is going to be a key thing for us … and we have to be consistent."

While the Lady Chiefs hope to perform well on the court, Strophy said it doesn't hurt to be lucky.

"(We need) a little bit of luck," he said. "The Eastern side of the state is packed once again. We have three bids and six to possibly eight teams vying for those spots."

Although the expectations for the program have changed, Strophy knows his team is prepared to compete.

"It's a new year, a new team and new expectations," he said. "We are the ones on top of the hill and everyone wants to push us down."