Hoop Dreams

If you had walked through the halls of Columbia Falls High School a decade ago, basketball was likely the last thing on people's minds. After all, the Wildcats never had much of a winning tradition on the floor - if anything, they were an easy win for the rest of western Montana.

But that all changed once head coach Cary Finberg came on board. He's taken Columbia Falls from the doormat of the Western division, to arguably the top team in Class A over the last five years. And although the Wildcats lost several key players from last year's state championship squad, they have to be considered the favorite to win the Northwestern A division.

The battle will be tough behind them, with five other teams vying for the division's other state tournament berth.

Over in AA, Flathead looks poised for a major improvement over last year's 6-16 mark. One look at the Braves' front line and you'll see why. With four players 6-foot-5 or taller, including 6-8 freshman phenom Brock Osweiler, Flathead has the ammunition to dominate the opposition in the paint.

Over in Class B, Eureka's junior class, led by football standout Isiah Linnell, looks to turn the Lions into a factor in District 8-B play.

No matter what happens over the next three months, one thing is certain - for some, hoop dreams will come true, while others will have to go the way of the Cubs and wait till next year.

Bigfork

Coach: Jim Epperly (5th season)

Last year: 10-12 overall, lost in divisionals

Key players lost: Caine Averill, Mitchell Hill, Luke Taylor, Kellen Wasell, Aaron Miles, Cy Murer and Don Houtonen

Key returning players: None

Key newcomers: Seniors Robert Walters, Joey Wolstein, Isaiah Welch, Nathan Roessmann, Trevor Thurman and Eric Wehrman; sophomore Roland Benedict

Outlook: Graduation hit the Vikings hard as the team lost all five starters and virtually all experienced players from last year's squad. However, Bigfork does import the bulk of the JV roster that has gone 28-8 the last two seasons.

The key, according to head coach Jim Epperly, will be getting the new Vikes acclimated to varsity basketball.

And what Bigfork lacks in size (with forward Isaiah Welch being the team's tallest player at 6-2) it more than makes up in speed. Epperly plans to go four-deep at the guard position - with Joey Wolstein, Trevor Thurman, Eric Wehrman and Roland Benedict - in the hopes of using his team's depth to tire the opposition out by the fourth quarter.

Though there is cause for optimism, Epperly knows the Vikes have their work cut out for them in the Northwestern A division, which has been home to the last four Class A champions. Like all coaches, Epperly hopes his team can peak come tournament time.

Quoteable: "We don't have any one or two dominant players, but we go 10 deep. I'm sure we can find one or two guys who can score." - Bigfork coach Jim Epperly

Columbia Falls

Coach: Cary Finberg (10th season)

Last season: 20-3, won Class A title

Key players lost: Anthony Minson, Drew Perry, J.D. Fields, Jay Ladenburg and Justin Heinrichs

Key returning players: Seniors Kevin Boyer, Guy Smith, Greg Macijunas, Nick Beckwith, Steffen Anderson and Robbie Dakin

Key newcomers: Seniors Dillon West and Andrew Burgi; juniors Kyle Jangula and Michael Taylor; sophomores Chase Grilley and Chase Fairbank

Outlook: Ask Columbia Falls coach Cary Finberg what his team's biggest asset is and the answer is simple - tradition. And the Wildcats certainly have that in abundance, having won

two of the last three Class A titles (they finished fourth in 2004).

So despite losing several key players from last year's state champs, Columbia Falls still returns several players who saw time on the floor in the state tournament; and you can't buy that kind of exposure to pressure situations.

This year's Wildcats squad has more size than the '04 version - forwards Nick Beckwith and Greg Macijunas go 6-6 and 6-4, respectively - but Finberg feels his team can play on the inside or the outside.

The key, Finberg said, will be which players can step up off the bench. If enough can do it, look for the Wildcats to make it back to state and there, according to Finberg, "anything can happen."

Quoteable: "These kids have had a lot of success the last few years, and they know what it's going to take to keep that going." - Columbia Falls coach Cary Finberg

Flathead

Coach: Fred Febach (3rd season)

Last season: 6-16, lost in divisionals

Key players lost: Jordan Lister, Andrew Cavigli, John Farrier and Greg Padel

Key returning players: Seniors Beau Watkins and Jeremy DeHerrera; junior Geoff Hogan

Key newcomers: Seniors Mack Andrews and Jason Russell; freshman Brock Osweiler

Outlook: It's a shame Flathead coach Fred Febach teaches history, because the Braves are in need of a chemistry professor. Fortunately, the Braves will have time to get to know one another, with only four games before Christmas Break.

That extra practice time should be invaluable, according to Febach. Flathead's practices have already brought forth some intense competition as Febach hopes to whittle down a rotation that goes 10-deep into a more consistent lineup as the season goes along. And he's already seeing the chemistry starting to develop.

With the tallest Braves team in at least a decade - they could conceivably start a lineup with no player shorter than 6-2 - look for them to pound the ball inside into 6-8 freshman Brock Osweiler in order to set up the outside shooting of guard Beau Watkins and wingman Geoff Hogan.

Flathead hasn't made the state tournament since 2003, but if the Braves manage to put it all together by the postseason, look for that to change.

Quoteable: "I'm optimistic, but I've been in [Class] AA long enough not to count my blessings too soon. We still have to play to our potential." - Flathead coach Fred Febach

Eureka

Coach: Brent Holder (7th season)

Last season: 11-9, lost in districts

Key players lost: Matt Peltier, Zack Nieuwsma and Thane Adams

Key returning players: Seniors Nick Zarnowski, Jay Roberts and Zach White; juniors Isiah Linnell, Zach Richter and Jordan Lundberg

Key newcomers: Senior Bryant Robbins; juniors Danny Cameron, Clete DeShazer and Grady Grayson; sophomore John Davis

Outlook: With perhaps the most loaded junior class in recent memory, Eureka coach Brent Holder will have no trouble fielding a talented lineup. The problem will be finding playing time for all of his players.

The Lions will need every bit of their depth this season, with Holder planning to employ a run-and-gun attack to tire out the opposition.

Back to lead the Lions is two-year starter Isiah Linnell, a second-team all-conference selection last season. And Holder has no doubt that he'll be one of the top players in the district this year. Eureka will also benefit from New York City transfer Bryant Robbins, whom Holder expects to be one of the conference's top shooters.

Quoteable: "I'm real excited about the season. The key will be bringing the young kids around; we need to get them some experience early." - Eureka coach Brent Holder

Libby

Coach: Wally Winslow (8th season)

Last season: 13-8, lost in divisionals

Key players lost: Blaine Baker, Aaron Sulton, George Mercer and Ken Orr

Key returning players: Seniors David Horelick, Caleb Swartzendruber and Kelly Orr; sophomore Jim Mee

Key newcomers: juniors Charley May, Mike Schilling, Neil Young and Nick Broden

Outlook: With all five starters gone from last year's team, it's no surprise that the Loggers will have almost no varsity experience heading into the season.

With that in mind, Libby coach Wally Winslow has become a firm believer in the old adage "Practice makes perfect." It will have to if the Loggers have any chance to make it out of divisionals this season.

He's certainly been pleased with the effort his team has shown in practice thus far, as well as the athleticism the Loggers have up and down the roster. He's also confident in his team's ability to score inside or outside.

But with so many questions marks, Libby will have to find the answers quickly in the tough Northwestern A division.

Quoteable: "There's a steep learning curve with this team. We need to progress in a hurry." - Libby coach Wally Winslow

Polson

Coach: Karl Tait (2nd season)

Last season: 10-11, lost in divisionals

Key players lost: Brandon Coutre and Joe Locke

Key returning players: Seniors Gabe Caye, Colton Woods, Bubba Michel, James Langston, Andy Nelson and P.J. Auld; junior Chris Ogle

Key newcomers: Junior Spencer Sias; sophomore John Rausch; freshman Craig Bagnell

Outlook: The Pirates made some strides in head coach Karl Tait's first season, and he's looking to make even more in 2005. Fortunately, Polson returns the bulk of last year's team, so they've already become acclimated to his system.

The Pirates have plenty of depth and speed, Tait said, but they'll have to vastly improve their defense if they hope to finish beyond the middle of the pack in Northwestern A play. They key, Tait said, will be how his team starts. If the Pirates can come out of the gate strong, it will serve as a springboard for success; if not, it could be a long season in Polson.

Quoteable: "We're going to take them one game at a time, and hopefully we can improve over the course of the season." - Polson coach Karl Tait

Whitefish

Coach: Derek Schultz (3rd season)

Last season: 0-18, lost in divisionals

Key players lost: Philip Bertelsen, Bryan Wram, Kevin Scott and Casey Speer

Key returning players: Seniors Mike McCracken, Sam Penzi, Nate Breese, Cory Idol and Jake Cummings; junior Luke Fennelly

Key newcomers: Junior Jamie Clogg

Outlook: Going 0-for-the-season would crush the spirit of many professionals, let alone a bunch of teenagers. And despite failing to win a game last year, the Bulldogs are back and hungry to end the team's 21-game losing streak.

Whitefish returns a pair of experienced players in point guard Luke Fennelly and forward Mike McCracken, who combined to pace the team in several categories last season. They will also be counted on to lead the team off the floor, according to Schultz.

An 0-18 record may speak for itself, but if you look deeper, you'll find that Whitefish was a few breaks away from winning several of its games last year. At the very least, Schultz said, they were a competitive bunch, and he expects more of the same in 2005.

Quoteable: "We need to develop that winning mentality that will put you over the top in close games." - Whitefish coach Derek Schultz