Basketball preview: Vikings retool with seasoned seniors

Last year's rendition of the Charlo boys basketball team graduated a pair of players who accounted for a low percentage of overall team scoring, but the Vikings will be further impacted by attrition since a segment among last year's roster opted out of competing during a pandemic season.

Returnees reprising roles accounted for 70% of last year's point productivity, placing Charlo in decent position entering the new season. Among those returning are all-conference senior 5-10 forward Nate Clark, who topped 200 points and 200 rebounds.

Sophomore 5-11 forward Dawson DuMont, an all-conference honoree in football and baseball, emerged as the Vikings’ most proficient scorer, turning in eight double-figure scoring outings over the course of the season that culminated in a career high 30 at the district tournament.

Senior 5-8 forward Roper Edwards and senior 5-5 guard Phil Marquez each have nearly 200 career points.

Sophomore 5-11 forward Keaton Piedalue crossed into triple digits for cumulative scoring with multiple double-figure outings during the course of last season.

Other returnees as well as new incoming players who will be integrated into the lineup are anticipated to facilitate the Viking attack much like last season.

With a calendar year of experience under their belts along with some seasoned seniors leading the squad, it is anticipated that Charlo will see improvements in both execution and scoring fortunes entering their new season.

Reese Cox embarks upon his fourth season at the helm, assisted by Shane Reum. Despite unknowns surrounding a season about to be played with awareness of a pandemic as part of the current landscape, Coach Cox is persuaded that "In a time of uncertainty and unrest, competition and teamwork is best for the soul."

He expressed pride in the current rendition of Viking players "who are choosing to play and get better as competitors. (With) game-like decision-makers ... committed to success and team, can't wait to see what these boys can do."

The Vikings are slated to kick off the season at Plains on Friday, Jan. 8, then host Noxon the next night.