Umthun’s Dream Nears Post Falls Star Wanted To Play In Big Game, And She’ll Have Chance

When Heidi Umthun collided with a teammate chasing a fly ball early last month, suffering strained tendons on both sides of her left knee and a deeply bruised quadriceps, she wasn’t concerned that her softball season was over.

What she feared most was not being able to play in the third annual Jack Blair Memorial Washington/ Idaho Girls’ AAU All-Star game.

“I was really, really looking forward to it; it’s what I’ve looked forward to doing ever since the (basketball) season was over,” the multi-talented Post Falls player said.

The initial good news was that Umthun’s injuries - sustained when her cleats stuck in the ground upon impact with her teammate - didn’t require surgery. Time and rest would provide healing.

The bad news, though, was Umthun had to be on crutches for 2-1/2 weeks through the last week in May.

She’s pushed her physical therapy, hoping to be able to run fullcourt during practices this week.

“I’m sure I’ll play, probably not the whole game or as much as I’d like,” Umthun said. “I probably won’t be 100 percent. The question is my endurance.”

The game not only provides an opportunity for Umthun to see how she stacks up against the best players in the Inland Northwest, but it’s an occasion to play on the same team with Alli Nieman of Sandpoint, the player of the year in Idaho.

In most years, Umthun would have been the Inland Empire League’s most valuable player and scoring leader. She averaged 23.3 points per game, behind Nieman (27.6).

And in most years, Umthun and her team would have earned a state berth, something none of Umthun’s teams did in her four years on varsity. Nieman and Sandpoint and defending state champion Lake City were in the way.

“I always kind of wished I’d gone to the same school as her,” Umthun said of Nieman. “It would have been totally fun.”

At least for one game Saturday, they’ll be on the same team. Tipoff at East Valley High School is set for 7:30 p.m.

It’s a good bet the 5-foot-9 scoring guard will be ready to play. After all, she proved to have a high pain tolerance in her prep career, breaking her nose in her junior and senior seasons, yet continuing to play.

The all-star game marks the beginning of what will be a busy summer of basketball for the Boise State University-bound Umthun.

She’ll play on a coed team with her boyfriend in Hoopfest in a couple of weeks; early next month she’ll play on the Spokane Stars 18-and-under No. 2 team in the AAU National Tournament in Spokane/Coeur d’Alene; and she’ll assist in the BSU camp at the end of July.

In between, she’ll do daily “BSU workouts” - conditioning drills consisting of equal parts running, dribbling and shooting.

Umthun was recruited to follow in the footsteps of former Post Falls standout Michelle Schultz, who completed her final season this year.

She didn’t play on a prep team with a winning record until this season. But she expects to be a part of much success in college.

Umthun isn’t concerned that the coach who recruited her - June Daugherty - left BSU for the University of Washington.

“I can really relate to the new coach (Trisha Stevens),” Umthun said of the BSU assistant who replaced Daugherty. “During my (recruiting) visit, I hung out with her more than I did June. The program is going to stay the same.”

Although she never attained her goal of playing in a state tournament, Umthun’s career wasn’t bereft of achievement. She set single-season (556) and career (1,154) school records, becoming just the second player to score more than 1,000 points.

Joining Umthun and Nieman on the Idaho team are: Andrea Gomez (Lewiston), Jessica Johnson (Troy), Sarah Peterson (Falls Christian), Lindsay Herbert (Lake City), Angie Sorbel (Moscow), Cori Freeman (Capital), Katie Hatrock (Lake City), Amy Lemm (Moscow), Sara McEachern (Lewiston) and Alison Asher (Lewiston).

Idaho is 0-2 against Washington. Umthun hopes she can help Idaho earn its first win.

“I’ve got to play; that’s all I’ve dreamed of doing is playing,” she said. “I’ll do my darndest to make sure I’m ready to go.”

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: AAU ALL-STAR GAME The Jack Blair Memorial Washington/Idaho Girls’ AAU AllStar game will be played 7:30 p.m. Saturday at East Valley High School