Bottineau Stars

The Stars and ecstatic and excited to get the season started. The optimism is high in the Bottineau basketball community. The Stars had a magical season in 2023-24 with 24 wins and a 5th Place Finish at the State Tournament, that experience was memorable and invaluable. The scary thing is, Coach Vandal's team brings back a large amount of talent, skill, and athleticism. The Stars had multiple girls step up in leadership roles last season, expect that to happen again, and for the Stars to make a push back to State. The Bottineau coaching staff, players, and fans are certainly looking forward to the challenge!   School: Bottineau   Mascot: Star   Head Coach: Michael Vandal   Class: A   Region: 3   2023-24 Record: 24-3 (5th at State)   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/HoopsProfile.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1056209" style="width:330px;height:auto" /></figure>   Bottineau Stars   Shoutouts from Last Season   Region 3 Coach of the Year: Michael Vandal   Lions All-Star Team: Kylie Simpson   All-State: Kylie Simpson (1st Team), [player_tooltip player_id='380222' first='Kyra' last='Beckman']   All-Region: Kylie Simpson, [player_tooltip player_id='380222' first='Kyra' last='Beckman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1056241' first='Hallie' last='Nero']   Stats & Returning Letter Winners   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image_ab64a3.png?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1056220" /></figure>   Strengths   -Bringing back the height/length from last season   -Run the floor well & make positive plays with athleticism   -Rebound with physicality when they set their mind to it   -Improved attacking & efficiency against zone defense   -Share the ball & score on the interior   -Players stepping up & hitting perimeter shots   -Super unselfish group of players, share the ball, selfless passers   -Coaching   Weaknesses   -Lost some great talent to graduation, will need to fill those roles   -Need ballhandlers & shooters to step up & add depth   -Add physicality   -Keep improving on mental toughness   <figure class="wp-block-image size-full is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/image_e19b47.png" alt="" class="wp-image-1056247" style="width:344px;height:auto" /></figure>   With Coach Michael Vandal   PGHD: What can you tell us about last season?   "We really had a very good year, I won't say great because we came up short of our ultimate goal of at least playing in a State Championship game."   PGHD: How did the offseason go for your team/program?   "We had some girls play a lot of basketball and continue to improve. We went to one team camp at UND and played some tough competition. Some of the girls took advantage of skill camps, AAU basketball, and open gyms."   PGHD: Who are a few of your top players to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='380222' first='Kyra' last='Beckman'] was a very good player last year for us again. She really improved in every area of her game last year and helped lead us throughout the whole season. She can play anywhere on the floor. She can defend every position on the floor as well and that's what makes her so versatile. [player_tooltip player_id='1056241' first='Hallie' last='Nero'] also had a very good year for us. She plays very physically around the basket and when she attacks. She has led us in FT attempts and makes each of the last two seasons and I do not see that changing anytime soon."   PGHD: Who are a couple of up-and-comers to look out for?   "[player_tooltip player_id='412234' first='Erin' last='Guariglia'], [player_tooltip player_id='1056256' first='Logyn' last='Simpson,'], [player_tooltip player_id='1056257' first='Josie' last='Wintermute'] look to make big strides for us this year."   PGHD: What style of basketball will your team play?   "I think we will be capable of still playing fast this year, we like to rebound and get the ball up the floor as quickly as possible. I think we can slow it down too and play a half-court game, but we will have to become more physical."   PGHD: Who do you think will be your top defender?   "[player_tooltip player_id='1056256' first='Logyn' last='Simpson,'] will be our top defender as she knows that one of her major roles and she is a tough-headed kid to get in and do the dirty work."   PGHD: What are your team goals this year?   "We won the Region last year, and that will be a huge challenge to repeat that, but we feel we can improve as the year goes on and be ready to make a run again at winning the Region. We would like to become a more physical team, but that'll be up to the players if they really want that too."   PGHD: Who are a couple of your top shooters?   "[player_tooltip player_id='380222' first='Kyra' last='Beckman'] has every move in the post but steps out to the 3-point line and is just as comfortable. She has a quick and high release which obviously makes her hard to defend. We also look for [player_tooltip player_id='412234' first='Erin' last='Guariglia'] to shoot the ball well for us again. We will need her confidence to continue from the outside if we are going to be the team we think we can be."   PGHD: Who are some of the top teams & players Region 3?   "South Prairie obviously has huge expectations this year, deservedly so, as they lost a tough one in the State Championship game last year. They return all of their players. Turtle Mountain also looks to take strides this year as they return a ton of experience and will be playing with a chip on their shoulder. If [player_tooltip player_id='380222' first='Kyra' last='Beckman'] plays up to her potential, I think she can be a Miss Basketball Candidate. Beck from SP is also a great player. She shoots the ball so well, and attacks the basket just about as good as anyone."   BEST OF LUCK TO THE STARS!!   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/11/prepGIRLShoopsdakotas.jpg?w=865" alt="" class="wp-image-1056252" /></figure>

The Stars and ecstatic and excited to get the season started. The optimism is high in the Bottineau basketball community. The Stars had a magical season in 2023-24 with 24 wins and a 5th Place Finish at the State Tournament, that experience was memorable and invaluable. The scary thing is, Coach Vandal's team brings back a large amount of talent, skill, and athleticism. The Stars had multiple girls step up in leadership roles last season, expect that to happen again, and for the Stars to make a push back to State. The Bottineau coaching staff, players, and fans are certainly looking forward to the challenge!