Mead seniors find ways for all to contribute

One won’t always find Mead High School’s seniors among the scoring leaders on the youthful Panther girls basketball squad, but they have plenty of checkmarks in the column marked “leadership.”

Mead got off to a 7-1 Greater Spokane League start before big games against Shadle Park and Central Valley in the past week. And it’s noteworthy that the Panthers have been successful despite the presence of only four seniors: Beth Altena, Nicole Butz, Tiffany Lookabill and Ricole Rogers.

Altena recently returned to the court after missing the first month of the season with a broken finger suffered during volleyball regionals and put up 25 points in her first two games. But the other three find their own ways to contribute.

“All four of the seniors are leaders in their own way,” said coach Regan Drew. “Our team is really young this year, but our seniors help bring everyone together. They have a focus and an idea of what we want to do both during practice and in the games. With so many kids learning new things, it really helps that our seniors have a grasp of the mental aspects of the game.”

Altena’s return has had an immediate impact, said Drew, who praises her maturity and work ethic.

“Beth makes sure that everyone is working hard to be successful,” she said. “She oversees everything, has a good radar for what’s going on with others on the court. I think her successful experience in other sports has made a big difference for her.”

Altena, a member of two Mead state 4A championship volleyball teams, says that her nickname is “Momma Bear.”

“I always take care of my girls,” she said. “I know that I’m not the best player, but I’m the one who the girls know they can come to. I try to make my presence known by my ability to communicate. I’m pretty vocal and kind of a comic, but I try to lead by example, go hard and make sure everyone else is, too.”

Butz went to state in 2006 as a member of Mead’s soccer team so, like Altena, she’s been part of two successful Panther programs. And both she and her coach think that her soccer background has helped her develop a nose for the ball, even though at 5-foot-7 she’s small for a post player.

“Nicole works very hard and puts everything out there all the time,” said Drew. “She rebounds her tail off – you won’t even be able to see her underneath, but she’ll come out with the ball. She’s a real warrior on the court. She never gets beat to a loose ball, and she takes a charge just about every game.”

Butz sees her role as helping to bring everyone together, and she points out that the Mead seniors, recognizing the scoring contributions of the younger players, put their egos aside to help reach that goal.

“It’s our job to make sure there’s no drama going on,” she said, “and to show the other girls how things are done here. Being a leader comes naturally for me, but watching our seniors last year also helped a lot.”

Both girls are amazed by the athletic success they’ve enjoyed, a feeling summed up by Altena:

“My experiences here have been unbelievable. I really can’t even describe my feelings, but I know that even thinking about the last couple years gives me chills. I’ve developed relationships and built confidence that will last way past high school.”