Warriors prepare to defend Class C basketball title

Arlee Warriors coach Zanen Pitts doesn’t let his team subscribe to the notion of pressure.

Outsiders to the team may refer to the external pressure of trying to repeat as the Montana High School Association Basketball Class C state championship after they successfully overhauled Manhattan Christian 71-67 in the 2016 championship basketball game.

Pitts doesn’t want his kids even thinking about “pressure” in their quest for a third-consecutive trip to the Class C championship game and to capture back-to-back titles.

“Pressure is a weakness of the mind and we don’t even talk about pressure,” Pitts said. “There is pressure and we are blessed to have the opportunity to try to win our second. With all of the crisis in the world, the concept of struggle and pressure is a weakness of the mind. In the scheme of things, we shouldn’t worry about how well we do in a basketball season. Basketball is an escape and we are going out there just having fun.”

Pitts anticipates nine of the 12 kids from last year’s championship team returning on the roster from last season.

“You have to have a pretty high level of expectation and confidence after back-to-back Saturday night appearances,” Pitts said. “We always tried to stay very conservative and confident in every game we competed in.”

One noticeable difference between this year and last year’s team will be the height differential between the two. Last year, the Warriors tallest starter was 5 foot, 9 inches tall and this year Arlee’s Isaac Fisher will take on more of a prominent role in the offense.

“He called me in the off season and said ‘Coach, I want to be an impact player and develop a larger role on this team,” Pitts said. “He spent more time during the off season in the gym and doing the things he needed to do. Athletically, he can move up and down the floor and his mind is focused. I am really happy and excited on the type of player that he can turn into.”

Pitts said the height will add an additional dimension to the Warriors’ explosive offense.

“We had big kids and anyone over six foot on our front court is pretty wicked,” Pitts said. “We are changing the dynamic for the offense. We will be swinging and trapping all the way to the rim.”

Last year, the Warriors were comprised mostly of juniors and sophomores. This season, Pitts said he anticipates a physically mature team.

“You have a core of kids and you know what the expectations are bred with the team culture to be successful,” Pitts said. “We have more athleticism, quicker, faster, and they are more up-tempo. They have great ball-handlers.”

Another reason Pitts believes his team will be more mature this season is simple: they are just a year older.

“I have a strong belief between your sophomore and junior year is when kids become young men,” Pitts said. “They are just physically and mentally bigger and stronger. We are an older team and we are coming at you with strength and a lot of depth.”

Confidence accompanies capturing the state title. After the Warriors captured the MHSA Class C state title last season, Pitts said it has bred a lot of confidence in his team as they prepare to try to defend their title.

“Winning the championship builds a lot of confidence,” Pitts said. “You have to play with a chip on your shoulder and you are a little more mature. It’s kind of like in the real world when you get a raise in your paycheck or a promotion. It’s just about building that confidence and keeping your accomplishments in perspective. It gives us so much confidence and like I said, we have a swag and a chip on our shoulder. We have a whole new chemistry just because of the success that we’ve had.”

Pitts, like last season, always believes in starting out the season with a difficult schedule. Last year, Arlee started its competition in Rocky Boy with some of the top-notch Class B and Class C teams in the state of Montana.

This year, Pitts and his team will get the opportunity to host the Native American Classic Tournament at Salish Kootenai College Dec. 7-9.

“We will open with Harlem and Rocky Boy and there will be a college prospect that is 6 foot, 8 inches,” Pitts said. “The teams in this tournament play solid, hard and it will be a great challenge and opportunity. This will give us a solid start headed into the season.”

Pitts said he felt he will know more once they tip off against some of the elite basketball teams in the state of Montana.

“We will know after the first game about our team,” Pitts said. “We have matured a lot and are extremely focused. Our team has become well-rounded players that can shoot the three-ball and attack the rim. On defense, we are bigger and stronger and we are going to lock some people down.”

Pitts said he stays on top of all of the changes

“I am always thinking about all of the changes that are coming with our team,” Pitts said. I am not even the same coach or the same person that I was yesterday. Everything that comes our way hopefully I grow from it, learn from it and become better for it.”