The Olton Fillies’ varsity basketball team is looking to make a push for the play-offs under Head Coach Brittany Huseman, who is into her first year of heading up the Fillies basketball program.
The Fillies are off to a 10-15 start overall this season and are 1-1 in district play.
Huseman joined the Fillies coaching staff last year, before becoming the head basketball coach this season.
“Prior to Olton, I spent three years at Littlefield coaching, junior high volleyball and basketball and high school track; one year at Brock coaching junior high volleyball and track; one year at Crosbyton as the high school girls basketball and track coach.”
She added, “Last year, here at Olton, I was the JV girls head basketball coach and assistant varsity coach and the track coach.”
Huseman is assisted this year by Kris Vasquez, who is into his first year with the Olton program. He coaches the girl’s JV team and is the varsity assistant coach.
The Fillies defeated Ralls in the bi-district round of the play-offs last season, before falling to Gruver in the Area round.
Coach Huseman talked about the roster and how each player impacts the team starting with her returning starters which include, juniors, Kylee Noack, Makenly Smith and Olivia Cox, and senior, Shaylee Leathers.
“Kylee brings a high speed to the game and practice and never backs down, while Mak is a double threat being able to play in the paint and on the perimeter.” she said. “Olivia is a great leader and is a key component in getting to the basket or defending a high scorer and Shaylee is a good outside shooter and lives in the passing lanes on defense.”
She added, “Rounding out the starting line-up for us is sophomore, Emma Acker. Emma is a great addition to the varsity and brings a high level of aggressiveness.”
The varsity squad also features, juniors, Makay Espy and Jaclyn Alcala and sophomore, Aspen Struve.
“Makay is our sixth man off the bench,” she said. “She gives 100% and has been a good addition defensively for the team in aggressiveness.”
The Coach talked about how she has seen her team improve from last year to this year, stating, “There has been a greater level of fight in the girls this year. We have had several close games that could have gone either way but they dug deep and pushed through. We have had our ups and downs this year but have never given up.”
Coach said offensively they are led by Smith, Noack and Cox, as their main scoring threats and defensively, Cox and Noack lead the charge.
Coach Huseman said she feels that this year their strengths have been shooting and aggressive defense. “We are a better shooting team compared to last year,” she said. “The girls play hard all four quarters.”
She added, “Something we have to work on is that our defense has got to be more aggressive. We can’t settle for the quick, one-and-done shot, we need to be able to work the ball around for a better shot and/or get to the basket more.”
The coach talked about the season to this point, saying, “It has been a hot and cold season so far but I believe that’s normal with a new regime. Overall, the girls have done a great job and have improved tremendously in more than just basketball.”
She added, “The highlight of the season so far was beating Vega in the Tulia Tournament. That was a major mental victory for us.”
The Fillies’ remaining schedule is as follows:
Tuesday, Jan. 18 th at Vega; Friday, Jan. 21 st home against Boys Ranch; Tuesday, Jan. 25 th home against Farwell; Friday, Jan. 28 th at Bovina; Friday, Feb. 4 th home against Vega; Tuesday and Feb. 8 th at Boys Ranch to close out the regular season.