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Genesee High School
School Info
Conference: 1AD1 Whitepine League
Classification: 1A D1
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Head Coach: Brandon McIntosh
Years as Head Coach: 2nd season
Previous Experience: Four years assistant coach Moscow girls basketball, one season head coach Asotin (Wash.) girls basketball
Record Last Year: 19-7
State Titles: 1987, 2008
Assistant Coaches:
Monica Baker
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Photo By: Chris Warren #1 - Kaleigh Ranisate |
Team Preview
They play in arguably the toughest 1A Division I girls basketball league in the state -- the White Pine League has produced the state champion each of the last seven years, a run started by Genesee in 2008.
They lost six seniors from last year's 19-7 team which placed fifth at state, and return just three juniors with significant varsity experience.
Undaunted, second-year Genesee coach Brandon McIntosh is excited to see what this year's edition of the Bulldogs can accomplish.
He said he's excited about "watching them mature into leaders, and watching how athletic and competitive they are. Watching them take that next step as a team together. We lost six players from last year's state team. We return three talented juniors, and one vastly improved senior. I am excited to see just how far they can go."
Among the key losses for Genesee is forwards Sam Moser and Holly Carter.
Kaleigh Ranisate, a 5-foot-7 junior guard, was first team all-league last season. Other key returnees include Sammy Sperber, a 5-6 senior forward; Kayla Cornell, a 5-4 junior guard; and Cierra Mayer, a 5-4 junior guard.
A couple of newcomers who could have an impact, McIntosh said, are Rachel Linehan, a 5-10 senior forward; and Courtney Burt, a 5-7 freshman guard.
"Our guards are athletic and quick," said McIntosh, who was an assistant at Moscow for four seasons, and a head coach at Asotin (Wash.) for one. "Our posts are smart and tough. Our general focus on offense is sharing and moving the basketball. With so many new faces, we will have to wait and see how it all goes. We must attack, but be under control."
Defensively, McIntosh likes the speed and aggressiveness of his team. With the loss of his two posts from last season, "being more confusing" on defense, as well as rebounding, will be key.
Genesee lost to White Pine League rival Lapwai in the semifinals last season, then fell to Grace in the third-place game. If the Bulldogs make it back to state again this season, they will be battle-tested, with two games against Lapwai and defending champ Prairie, two more against Grangeville, consolation champions in 2A last season, and one against Colton (Wash.), which has won six straight state titles.
As for changes in the game, McIntosh said he would like to add a 30-second shot clock, keep the 10-second backcourt rule, and make the five-second closely guarded call enforced everywhere on the court.
McIntosh says he enjoys coaching high school basketball because of "watching the growth and maturity of players. Giving them the opportunity to grow and, if possible, move on to the next level. I had my time to play. Now, I have the opportunity to teach the game I love to individuals, as well as teaching them life lessons."
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