Leadership teacher. English teacher. Assistant basketball coach.
Carmen Gfeller is a new teacher and assistant coach here at Lakeland High School (LHS).
This seems to be an extreme amount for one to take on. How will Gfeller juggle it all?
“Leadership is a really well versed group of individuals that have been there, done that, and know what to expect, so I will definitely be leaning on them,” Gfeller said.
Gfeller’s motivation to take on such a big role, manage lots of tasks and responsibilities is simply being grateful for the opportunities.
“Always have gratitude for the situation you’re in,” Gfeller said.
This is Gfeller’s first year coaching and she is looking forward to the season and learning as much as she can under the head coach, Caelyn Caulfield.
Gfeller played four years of basketball for the Montana Grizzlies (U.M.), as well as growing up in the sport. She is the youngest below three brothers and grew up in an extremely competitive household.
“They didn’t take it easy on me,” Gfeller said.
Gfeller excelled in many sports throughout her youth but mainly volleyball and basketball. It was after one basketball tournament where Gfeller started to receive college recognition, then she began to take the sport more seriously.
Gfeller’s experience at U.M. was not like most, in fact, she had a red-shirt year and a covid year. Because of this, Gfeller got more play and experience on the basketball court at a collegiate level.
What components does Gfeller intend to bring to our Lakeland girls basketball program?
Gfeller said that she learned a lot at U.M. like how important it is to bring energy and passion but her main focus is strong fundamentals and offensive power.
“Putting our players in the best situation possible based on their skill set, bringing new ideas, new sets, new plays to the offense, and also post play and development is my specialty,” Gfeller said, “Also helping them out with fundamentals and becoming the most dominant bigs in our conference.”