With 60 seconds left on the clock, hearts pounded and adrenaline raced through the players’ veins. They took in the court, the stadium, the deafening crowd. “It was the end of the game and we knew we’d won,” said Jennifer Hansen, a transferee from Moscow, Idaho, who arrived at LHS during the 2010-2011 school year. To complete the trio of transfers, seniors Chelsea Waters and Tisha Phillips also arrived in their junior year, which provided outside talent for the LHS basketball team.
“LHS is a bigger school, so they have better competition, basketball wise,” said Phillips of her transfer from Lapwai, Idaho. Phillips struggled to make friends when she first arrived at LHS. “I knew like 10 people, and I wasn’t close with any of them,” she said. The transition from 200 students at Lapwai, to 1,000 students at LHS proved to be difficult.
The story changed when she met Waters and Hansen. “We got along ‘cause we all transferred and felt the same thing,” Phillips said. After she joined forces with Waters and Hansen, a sort of “dream team” formed. They led the Lady Bengal’s to state twice and won both times.
In addition to winning two consecutive state titles, Phillips also recently earned the status of Gatorade Player of the Year- the first from LHS This award measured athletes on their academics, athletic capability and exemplary character on and off the court. Only one athlete from each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia received the honor. As well as the Gatorade player of the Year Award, Phillips also earned the title of Player of the Game for the 2012 5A State Championship matchup and the 5A Idaho Statesman of the Year Award.
Teichmer, head coach, gazed on as the girls stormed the court and won the title. Though extraordinary skill played an important role in the game, coaching impacted the girls as well. “He was more of a friend,” Hansen commented. The change from a more ‘business-like coach to a more personal coach brought back her love of the game.
“Jennifer is a great ball-handler and team player,” Teichmer said with a serious face. “She’s great at defense.”
She transferred from Moscow alongside Waters. Hansen stated that the reason for her transfer resulted from her father, Lance Hansen’s, career as a principal.
Her father also acted as her motivation to play the game. “His love for basketball fuelled my love for it,” Hansen commented. Hard work throughout the season and her numerous years of playing the game earned her team a state rank of two, by the end of her senior season.
As for Waters, she developed an unknown sickness near the end of the season, which caused her to miss weeks of practice. The team definitely felt the difference.
“We depended on her as a big part of the team,” Hansen commented. “But our team pulled it together and found ways to win together, as a team.”
Waters recovered in time to finish the season with a bang, which helped the girls win their second state title. “She brought motivation [for us] and probably intimidated the other team,” Hansen said with a smile.
Teichmer spoke about Waters’ ability to play all positions, on the court. According to Maxpreps.com, a total of 211 points flew from her fingertips and into the hoops. Looking for a change, Waters decided to take her skill from Moscow to Lewiston. “The girls really made my transition easy,” Waters said.
Over the years, hard work proved rewarding. Waters attended Gonzaga on a full ride scholarship. “They have been recruiting me since my freshman year,” Waters commented.
Not only did the team’s scholarships, accomplishments and the many accolades gained along the way sit in the hearts of the girls who earned them, but also in the trophy cabinets of LHS. “It’s something that no one can ever take from me,” Waters said.