Boys basketball gears up

LAKE COUNTY — With the start of the boy’s basketball season  on Saturday, each coach was sent a survey asking about their team and upcoming season. Following are the surveys received by the Leader:

Arlee

The Warriors will see a district change this year from 13C to 14C.

Last year, Arlee was 16-9 and held the district champion crown. With a third place at divisionals, the Warriors lost the challenge game to go to state.

Five players return that started at some point last year: Kody Morigeau, Kyle Felsman, Thomas McClure, Jesse Pfau, and Kasey Bridgewater.

Also returning are John Sansavere, Trae Burland, and Junior Sansavere, all of which are potential starters.

The Warriors biggest challenge may be rebounding, since the tallest players are about six feet tall.

“We also will have to get used to some different teams and courts,” head coach Clyde Tucker said. “However, we do expect to be competitive as we have some experienced players returning. Replacing the 4 seniors from last year will be our first challenge.”

Charlo

Last year, Charlo went 13-3 as a member of the 14-C conference but didn’t reach their goal as a team.

The Vikings return five seniors and are working on playing as a team.

With the team motto of “defense wins games,” the goal this year is to make it to the state tournament in Butte at the end of the season but a lot of talent in their conference will stand in the way.

Mission

Mission will see a familiar face lead this team.

Head coach Lloyd Phillips will return to the head coach position for the first time since the 1999-2000 season in his 16th year of coaching.

Last year, the Bulldogs went 1-17 but will return senior Jorren Gies and junior Riley Whitworth-Charlo, two players who have started the last two years. A likely starter will be senior Jake Durglo, but Phillips said ten varsity players have the potential to start and will see playing at the varsity level.

A return of confidence to the Bulldog basketball tradition is a goal for the program this year by improving everyday at practice, every play, every quarter, every half and every game.

In Mission’s conference, Bigfork and Eureka will be the two biggest schools in the state and will always be a challenge. Plains, Troy and Thompson Falls will also be competitive this year.

Ronan may be the toughest and best team the Bulldogs play but Charlo will be very good. Also on the schedule is Arlee and Seeley, teams that are traditionally strong.

Polson

Last year the Pirates had an up and down season finishing 12-10 and third in the conference going into the post season. They played in the championship game where a loss to Columbia Falls meant a challenge game against Whitefish. The loss ended Polson’s season in third place, just short of a state tournament berth.

Kyle Bagnell and Tim Rausch return for the Pirates. Both were second team all-conference players.

There are many potential new starters include Louis Mohr, “a very good perimeter player that shoots the ball very well,” head coach Brad Pluff said.

Sheldon Fisher is a “very quick point guard that handles the ball very well and has improved on his shooting from last year,” Pluff said.

Sophomore Ian Laimbeer worked hard in the offseason and senior Derrick Rathe “adds muscle and size inside,” Pluff said.

Sophomore guard Vince DiGiallonardo and sophomore Tyler Krell, a transfer from Charlo, will contribute inside.

Pluff said that the Pirates will have to be patient as they learn a new system as well as adjust to the new coaching staff. The younger players will be relied on to contribute early on.

“We expect to compete for the conference title and a spot at the state tournament in Butte at the end of the season,” Pluff said.

In their conference, the Pirates face Columbia Falls, who is the team to beat in the conference. This leaves the second spot up for grabs and Pluff said it can be won by any of the other four teams in the conference.

Ronan

Last year, the Chiefs went 11-9 as it was a transition year.

This year the team’s motto is “it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.”

Led by returning players Justin Dusty Bull, Jerod Tanner, Kevin Wroblewski, Ronan will face challenges including height, low post play and experience.

Getting better every day is an expectation as well as prioritizing defense and rebounding.