New coach May bullish on 2024-25 season for Lady Bulldogs

Returning to the varsity coaching ranks after a two-year hiatus, Brian May is optimistic about the 2024-25 season as he takes the helm of the Lovell Lady Bulldog basketball team.

May, who coached the Lovell boys squad in 2021-22 and four years from 2009 to 2013, is working with 23 players ahead of the Lander Invitational this weekend: five seniors, one junior, nine sophomores and eight freshmen. He said practice has been going well as he implements his system.

“The kids are working really hard,” he said. “It’s always a challenge for kids when there are new coaches, because they do things differently. The kids have positive attitudes.”

May said he and assistant coaches Jen Hessenthaler and Gretchen Walker have been performing skills work and conditioning in practice, installing May’s new offense and defensive drills.

Asked about his team strengths, May listed depth and versatility in the post, and he said the players have been picking up the offense well.

“They’re working hard to implement the teaching onto the court,” he said. “There are a lot of pieces to this offense. The girls read what the defense is giving them, so there are a lot of reads to do, a lot of different movements to get into.”

He said the team can play five out (on the perimeter), four out and one in the post or three out and two in the post, depending on the opponent and situation. He said his main challenge is to be organized and efficient in practice, the players catching onto drills, noting that his assistants may be new but have plenty of basketball experience.

Consistent shooting is also a challenge, he noted.

“One of the challenges we have is our overall shooting from the perimeter,” May said, “consistently knocking down outside shots. We’ve tried to get more shooting in (during practice).”

Defensively, May hopes to see the Lady Bulldogs get into passing lanes, put pressure on the ball and deny the wings, adding, “We want to get up and be aggressive, be physical and move our feet.”

Starting the year primarily as a man-to-man defensive team, May will implement some zone defense including some zone presses, he said.

The lineup

The team lost starter Summer Teter and varsity players Krysta McIntosh, Madison Wolvington and Keyanna Walker to graduation, but four starters return in seniors Kenadee Rael, Reagan May, Breeah Jones and Libby Mickelson. Also returning with varsity experience are senior Kennadee Owens and sophomore Celeste Lindsay.

Rael will run the office at the point, May said, calling the senior a strong ballhandler who brings a lot of intensity on defense. Raegan May can also play the “one” and will start as a shooting guard or small forward.

“She’s a pretty good shooter who can get on a streak,” Coach May said. “She brings a lot of hustle with good quickness and speed.”

Jones might be the most versatile player on the team, May said, able to play all five positions on the court.

“She brings scoring and can handle the ball well,” he said. “She’s a streaky shooter and is lengthy. She can get deflections defensively and can run the floor.”

Mickelson will work inside at the four or five but can also pop outside.

“We’re hoping she can knock down some outside shots,” May said. “She’s a smart player who understands the offense and defense concepts well. She’s experienced and catches onto things quickly.”

Post player Owens has worked hard in the offseason to improve her game, May noted.

“Kennadee is probably our best low post player with a variety of offensive moves,” he said. “I like her physicality. She brings toughness and is not afraid to mix it up.”

Also seeing plenty of playing time inside will be Lindsay. Tall and athletic, she’s developing into a force inside after a strong freshman year.

“Her length helps us defensively,” May said. “She’s getting more physical and developing her post moves.”

The lone remaining junior on the team is Becca Nichols, a top athlete who will play as a guard.

“She’s really working on her ballhandling under pressure and is very good on defense,” May said. “She hustles and runs the floor well.”

Also seeing varsity time, May said, will be sophomore Brooklin Clark, a forward who is “a hustler and great defender who rebounds well,” he noted. Sophomore Jenna Hessenthaler will provide depth at the point, May said, and “has a good understanding of the game.”

Lander Invite

The Lady Bulldogs will travel to Fremont County this weekend for the Lander Invitational, meeting Newcastle Friday at 11:30 a.m. and Pinedale at 2:30 p.m. in the Lander Valley Fieldhouse while the junior varsity squad meets Newcastle at 4 p.m. and Pinedale at 7 p.m. in the auxiliary gym.

Saturday, the varsity squad will meet Rawlins at 8:30 a.m. at the fieldhouse, with the JVs meeting the Outlaws at 11:30 a.m. at the auxiliary gym.