Storm sticking together: 7-0 start has BV thinking big

Three years ago, while watching his girls varsity and fresh-soph basketball teams practice, Bureau Valley coach Jeff Ohlson found himself gazing into the future.

It was just a fleeting thought, but Ohlson saw the potential in a young group of talented players.

Fast forward to the present, and those young players are living up to their coach’s hopes. The Storm are 7-0, reaping the benefits of experience and camaraderie.

“When they came in as freshmen,” Ohlson said, “we knew if we worked with them and bided our time they’d just keep getting better. We have great team chemistry and a lot of experience, and it’s paid dividends.”

Coming into the season, the team had high expectations. Melanie Thompson and Lauren Hasbrook were among the area leaders in five statistical categories last season. Courtney Doty and Megan Mussche, two of BV’s four-guard rotation in 2008-09, also returned.

Even so, the perfect start has taken some by surprise.

“I didn’t expect this at all,” said Thompson, who averaged a double-double last year and leads the Storm with 16 points and nine rebounds per game. “I love all these girls on this team, and it’s been so much fun and so exciting to start off so well.”

Hasbrook, the Storm’s other go-to girl, has averaged 11 points and seven rebounds. In the backcourt, Torri Peterson (8 points per game), Doty (7 points, 5 assists) and Mussche (6 points, 4 assists) have led the way.

Depth is big for BV, too. Nine girls have come off the bench so far this season, meaning quality periods of rest for the starting five.

“We have a lot of balance, and we share the ball great,” Hasbrook said. “We trust each other and we know what the others are thinking and where they’re going to be. Whoever we give the ball to, we know they’ll make something happen.”

The ability to force defenses to focus on more than just Thompson and Hasbrook makes Ohlson one happy camper. Throw in a defense that averages 14 steals per game, and the Storm’s success is no secret.

“We knew we could be pretty good, if we just worked hard and stuck together,” Hasbrook said. “I guess things are just really clicking right now, and if we just continue what we’re doing, good things will continue to happen. We want to keep proving that we’re a team to be reckoned with.”