The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Harlem Lady Cats were back on the hardwood this past Saturday in Cut Bank to take on the Wolves. In an early season non-conference clash it was the Lady Cats that controlled the tempo start to finish in a lop sided 65-39 win to start the season 1-0.

In looking at the 2021-22 Harlem Lady Cat basketball team, new Head Coach Brandon Trottier couldn't be more thrilled with his teams start.

Trottier takes over for Laramie Schwenke who left the school at the beginning of the school year to pursue other professional opportunities. Trottier is very familiar with all the girls on the team having followed them for years and having served as an Assistant Coach. His daughter Taya is a Northern B All-State and District 2B All-Conference returner for the Lady Cats.

Taya Trottier is also a MSU-Northern Skylight recruit and leads a stellar group of returning seniors. Chloe Messerly and Vanise Little will add to the leadership depth at the top, both having been solid contributors for years. CeCe Hegelson, Alexus Cochran and Mariah Messerly also return for the Lady Cats.

Junior out this season include Ma'Lea Moore, Lydia Sears, Crysie Johnson and Keonna Medicine Bear. Sophomores out are Emma Billmayer, Tova Anderson, Savannah Jones, Marie Hogan, Harmony Bigby and Caly Adams.

The Lady Cats welcome a big freshman class to the program. They are Aaraya Mount, Raelynne Briere, Gracie Sanchez, Jaden Blackcrow, Lacia Walls Mashyla Main, Kimberly Yellow-Stone, Svea Hogan, Danielle Walker and Jailee Wing.

With such great numbers the Lady Cats have a full plate when it comes to practice and Coach Brandon likes what he sees so far, "Practice has been going great, it's nice to see all the girls put in the hard work that needs to be done. We are making it work compared to last year when we had a month to prepare, going back to two and a half weeks is a lot better in my mind."

Coach Brandon knows exactly where his leadership will come from, "I'm relying on Taya, Chloe and Vanise to take the lead this year. Just because these three have played all four years in the program and they know what I expect out of them. I'm also looking to see CeCe Hegelson, junior Post Ma'Lea Moore and Turner transfer, sophomore Ella Billmayer lead as well."

As far as expectations Trottier is pretty comfortable with what he would like to see, "My expectations in my first year as Head Coach is to have the team compete at the highest level and be firing on all cylinders by the post season." Trottier added, "I consider our team to be a Veteran team but I do have three freshman that will play a big roll on the Varsity team"

Those freshman are going to have plenty asked of them, "Raelynne Briere, Aaraya Mount and Gracie Sanchez. They come in and work hard every practice like the rest of the girls do. We have a talented freshman class this year. I'm very excited for what the future holds for the Harlem Lady Cat Basketball Program.

The Lady Cats season opener in Cut Bank on Saturday couldn't have gone any better. Waisting little time getting off to the fast start they were looking, for Harlem jumped out to a 13-6 lead after eight minutes of action. Trottier poured in 10 points from the field to power the hot start.

Billmayer and Mount added four apiece in the second as Harlem extended their advantage to 26-9 heading into the half time break.

Not looking to let the Wolves have any hope for a second half comeback, the Lady Cats kept their foot on the gas scoring 23 third quarter points. Trottier drained a pair from distance scoring eight in the frame. Mount added a triple of her own and Little and Messerly each scored five as Harlem led 49-28 heading into the fourth quarter.

The Lady Cats closed out the Wolves with a 16-11 fourth quarter to win comfortably 65-39 and start the season 1-0.

Trottier led all scorers with 24 points on nine field goals. Messerly found her mark for 11 points in the win while Billmayer chipped in 10. Mount added nine more in her first varsity contest.

Left: Harlem senior Taya Trottier turned in an impressive performance in the Lady Cats season opening 65-39 win over Cut Bank Saturday night. Trottier scored a game high 24 points, including the 1,000 point of her stellar career.

The Lady Cats will be in Billings this week at Lockwood High School to take part in the Class B Tip Off Tournament. The Lady Cats will play Lodge Grass Friday night at 6:00 p.m.. Saturday the girls will take on Huntley Project at 3:00 p.m. both games will provide a good early season test for the program.

The Wildcats will close out 2021 with three straight home contests. They will host Malta on December 17, Poplar on December 18 and Rocky Boy on December 22.

Harlem will remain at home to start the new year when they will welcome the Chinook Sugarbeeters to town on January 7, 2022. The Wildcats will host Box Elder January 15, Cut Bank January 29, Wolf Point February 5 and Glasgow February 11.

Road games will be in Wolf Point January 8, Glasgow January 14, Malta January 20, Poplar, January 22, Rocky Boy, January 27, Chinook February 4 and Box Elder February 10.

The District 2B Tournament will take place in Glasgow February 17-19 with the top four teams advancing to the Northern B Divisional in Conrad March 3-5. The top two teams at the Northern B will advance to the State B Boys and Girls Tournament in Bozeman March 10-12.