Several new basketball coaches ready to take the helm

When area prep basketball teams finally take the floor this winter season in January, a host of new faces will be pacing the courts as first-year head coaches.

The Ronan Chiefs will have a new chief guiding the boys basketball program with the recent hiring of

The Ronan School Board on Nov. 24 hired DJ Fish as head coach of the boys team. Fish takes over the reins from Ron Couture after one season. Fish is not an unfamiliar face around area basketball courts as he has been part of the referee pool officiating multiple games the past several seasons.

The 6 foot, 5 inch Fish was an integral part of the Browning Indians’ 2007-08 State A championship and 2006-07 runner-up seasons, earning tournament MVP as a senior. He helped Browning repeat as Central A divisional champions his junior and senior seasons. His prep athletic career credentials included basketball all-conference honors the 2005-08 seasons, a repeat selection to the Super State team and an all-state cross country finish his senior year.

Upon graduation, Fish initially planned on attending MSU-Billings, but revised plans routed him to Lawrence, Kansas, where he enrolled at NAIA Division II Haskell Indian Nations University (HINU).

Fish had an immediate impact on their basketball program, leading the team in both scoring and rebounding, which resulted in his being named honorable mention on the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference team.

After a brief hiatus, Fish laced up his sneakers with Salish Kootenai College under coach Zachary Conko-Camel. He was an integral part of two Bison AIHEC championships the 2013-15 seasons.

SKC coach Conko-Camel described DJ as "a stretch four that could shoot, pass, score off the dribble as a forward."

Regarding his potential as a coach, Conko-Camel envisions that success will follow on the heels of his former player.

"DJ has a great understanding of how to do things. … the determination to get things right … a student of the game with a high basketball IQ ... and will be a great role model for young people."

Fish expressed gratitude for the inaugural coaching opportunity before him.

"I am thankful for the overwhelming support I’ve received and I’m looking forward to giving back to the game of basketball. I have no doubt we will be able to make some noise with the talent and athleticism we have now and for the years to come."

Referees of Ronan games may be advised to optimize the impartiality of calls against the Chiefs as their newly hired coach will be more than capable of quoting chapter and verse from the rulebook in the event of a disputed call.

Matt to lead Warriors

Shawn Matt takes over the reins of the Arlee Warriors boys basketball program, the

first former player to take over the hardwood helm. Matt graduated in 1998 after four seasons playing for the Warriors. He has spent the past 14 seasons coaching Arlee athletics in various capacities including junior high, high school junior varsity and assistant coach. His junior high squad went undefeated last season.

Matt had applied for the head coaching position on previous occasions when vacancies arose, and this time was in his favor.

"We will run high-percentage plays closer to the basket that look for the easier shot,” Matt said. “We won't live or die by the three, but we will kick it out when we need to from long range.”

On defense, the Warriors will rely on an "in-the-face, take-away-space match-up zone, with man-to-man when needed," Matt said. “We want to take advantage of our quickness that will create matchup problems for teams. We will be flexible and ready to adjust to whatever the other team throws our way.”

Delaney to guide Lady Bulldogs

Dalton Delaney takes over coaching duties of the Mission girls basketball program after the multi-season tenure of Jen Brander. Delaney grew up around the Mission Valley, graduating from Charlo in 2015.

During his senior season, Delaney became Charlo's first ever cross country all-state runner, finishing eighth among the State C field.

That winter, the 6-2 guard/forward "Double D" Delaney was acknowledged with District 14C all-conference first-team honors after scoring 326 points. He wrapped up his prep basketball career with 665 cumulative points with a single-game high of 26.

During the spring, Delaney competed in track, focusing mainly upon distance events. He ran a personal best in the 3200 at the State C meet when he placed fifth his junior year, contributing points to the tail end of Charlo's four-peat in boys track from 2011-14 under coach Bret Thompson.

Upon graduation, Delaney enrolled at UM-Western in Dillon, making the dean's list all four seasons while he acquired his teaching degree. He competed with the Bulldog collegiate cross country team his freshman year but thereafter hung up his cleats to coach Dillon Middle School boys and girls basketball for two seasons.

Upon arriving at St. Ignatius to teach at Mission Middle School, Delaney has been coaching middle school girls basketball, which went undefeated last season.

Delaney aims to carry that momentum into the upcoming season. Among his wish list is to beat Charlo when the two teams tangle for their Rez rivalry wrangle, with the hopes of showing that the one time student has mastered the lessons of the teacher, the latter a reference to veteran Lady Vikings coach Bret Thompson and his 600-plus career wins.

Delaney is optimistic about the upcoming season.

"We have a strong and promising young team this year with a few great returning varsity players. Majority of these girls put in a lot of time during the summer and fall doing open gyms and lifting. I am looking forward to a great upcoming season with this strong group of ladies. I have no doubt that they will put forth all of their effort no matter the situation, especially during this crazy and different year. It will be a season to remember."

Antos takes over Lady Pirates

Ryan Antos takes over the helm of the Lady Pirate girls basketball from Juan Perez after three seasons. Antos grew up in St. Regis. Previous coaching positions at south central Washington include girls basketball at Kiona-Benton around the Tri-Cities area of Richland-Pasco-Kennewick and most recently football coach with the Wahluke Warriors of Mattawa, situated one county north of the Tri-Cities area.

Sandwiched between these two out-of-state tenures was a brief return to St. Regis, where Antos was assistant girls basketball and track coach while head coach of the junior high boys and girls programs.

Antos will be somewhat familiar to Pirate athletics followers as he was offensive coordinator of the Polson football program under Kaden Glinsmann.

His recruiting efforts have stimulated renewed enthusiasm in the girls basketball program with a higher degree of player interest expressed thus far.

Coach Antos elaborated about the current state of affairs as the season prepares to get underway: "We are looking to rebuild the program … so we are recruiting. Our goal this year is to compete ... but the more important focus for us is to prepare to compete."