Throughout the years, the Bitterroot Valley has seen its fair share of good players on the hardwood. A few have moved on to play at the college level but not many have been able to play at the University of Montana. This year, there are four players – graduates of Stevensville, Corvallis, Hamilton and Florence – who are on the rosters of the Grizzlies and the Lady Griz.
Riley Bradshaw, who played for Corvallis in high school, is a red shirt junior. After a short stint at Utah, Bradshaw transferred to the University of Montana. The all-state player has worked his way into a starting position for the Griz. The moves that were his trademark in high school are still there but his knowledge of the game, as well as trust in his fellow teammates is apparent as well.
“Coming from high school, you have to figure out your role on the team, figure out what you do,” he said.
In addition to practice, there are game films to watch, weights to lift and lots more practice. Although some would compare this to a job, Bradshaw doesn’t do that. “If you like what you do, it’s not a job.”
One thing Bradshaw has learned is not to procrastinate on schoolwork. He’s working on a double major in business management and marketing, He said he tries to get a head start on everything early in the semester because he knows it will be tougher when the season begins and traveling starts.
And speaking of traveling, he was in San Jose, California on Monday and said this was his first time in the area. Last year the team was in Texas where they played Texas A & M in the NIT tournament. It was his first time there as well. Next year, the team will be traveling to the Virgin Islands and Bradshaw is looking forward to that.
The Grizzlies won the regular season last year and were hosts to the Big Sky Tournament. Bradshaw said that was one of the best memories he had with the energy in the building and the crowds. “It’s everything you play for.”
Bradshaw said that playing for coach Travis DeCuire has been fun because the coach is so passionate about basketball. He said his teammates have become some of his best friends. But he is also happy when former teammate and other fans from the valley come to watch him.
Alycia Sims graduated from Stevensville in 2012. She was an all-state player and gave her opponents fits. She still does. At 6’2”, she’s no longer always the tallest on the floor, but she’s one of the toughest. Sims still plays inside. Her defense can change player’s games and she works hard to keep that up.
She said she didn’t realize how hard it was going to be to balance playing and school but she’s succeeding. “It’s kind of job in a way, you just have to treat it like that. But it’s also so fun and rewarding, a lot better than having a job actually.”
She said that everyone has the goal of getting on the court and playing and with that goal in mind; it makes it easier to work towards that one uniform goal. One of the best rewards though is seeing her ‘valley’ fans and new fans. She said playing in the Adams Center is great.
Her best memory as a Lady Griz as of now is last year’s trip to Notre Dame for the tournament. “The energy, the excitement, it’s a goal to work for. My freshman year, we didn’t make it and it was kind of a bummer. But after being there, now I know what it’s like and it really gives me a lot of motivation to go back.
Sims is a true junior. She is majoring in exercise science.
Taylor Goligoski, who graduated from Hamilton last year, is red shirting this year. That means she does everything but play in the games. She still practices every day, lifts weights, and watches film. She has to balance school and play just like everyone else. One of the best things she thought was that the school day was not a full day of school and that she was able to plan her classes.
Playing for coaching legend Robin Selvig has been interesting and fun she said. “Both are pretty intense during games but I think Coach Selvig is more of a yeller.”
Aaron Ward is red-shirting for the Grizzlies. He is a graduate of Florence Carlton and played two years at Wenatchee Valley Junior College where he was player of the year last year. He is a walk on, meaning that he doesn’t have a scholarship, yet. He said the red shirt players run opposing team’s offenses and defenses during practices. The competition is faster and quicker, another step up.
“All the guys are encouraging,” he said. “I’m having a lot of fun and learning every day.”
Ward is working towards a double major in sociology and psychology.
There’s one other former player on the court at the men’s games. Hamilton graduate Jesse Bartels is a student manager for the Griz. He helps wherever he can, getting drinks, towels, shagging balls during warm ups and says it is a lot of fun. He doesn’t get to go on long trips but if there’s a bus trip, he’s on board.