Libby, Polson picked to win Western A conference
C-Falls, Eureka should contend for league's final berths to state tournament
The notion around the Western A high school softball conference is Libby and Polson are heads above the rest of the league.
And why not?
The perenniel powerhouses are coming off seasons in which they both went deep into the State A tournament. The Pirates return eight starters from that team and the Loggers return four from the state championship game. Both return all-state pitchers in Dylen Zetterberg (Polson) and Brooke Hageness (Libby).
"Libby and Polson will have to be the favorites because of their returning pitchers and players," Columbia Falls coach Dave Kehr said.
But another notion around the conference is the gap between second and third place is narrowing - especially with the emergence of the Wildkats.
"It will be a competitive conference," Kehr said. "Most of the pitching is back and there will be a lot of teams in the middle of the pack."
League coaches said Kehr's Wildkats, who finished last year with a 14-9 record and return all of their starters, will be at the top of the middle of the pack.
"Columbia Falls was young last year and should be one of the top teams in the conference," Libby coach Dean Thompson said.
Thompson wasn't surprised when the Wildkats shut out his team Friday evening, 5-0.
"Columbia Falls was very young last season and improved throughout the year with solid pitching," Polson coach Larry Smith said.
Led by all-state third baseman Vanesha Riley, the 'Kats have sophomore all-conference players up the middle with catcher Amber James, shortstop Amanda Milliard and center fielder Kayla Stinger. Senior pitcher Jenni Johnson brings her leadership to the circle with freshman Drew Walters potentially bringing a closer mentality.
"Walters is pitching very well," Kehr said. "She has good velocity for a freshman and can play other positions besides pitcher."
The top four teams from the seven-team Western A will advance to the state tournament in Polson on Memorial Day weekend. The conference champion will earn a first-round bye in the 12-team state tourney field.
Western A coaches picked Polson and Libby to tie for the conference championship, Columbia Falls to place third and Havre to place fourth. They picked Eureka to finish just behind Havre and the final berth to state. Whitefish and Browning should round out the conference.
Ronan is playing its inaugural season in the Central A Conference, which is ruled by Butte Central, Hamilton and Frenchtown. The Maidens return eight starters from last year's team and are looking to make big strides in the program (please see the team capsules).
Western A
Preseason Coaches' Poll
Polson (2) 17
Libby (2) 17
Columbia Falls 14
Havre 12
Eureka 9
Whitefish 5
Browning 4
*Based on a compilation of predictions by four local head coaches. First-placed votes in parentheses.
Columbia Falls Wildkats
Coach: Dave Kehr, 5th year (n/a).
Last season's record: 14-9, third in conference.
Starters lost: 0.
Letter-winners returning: 11.
Numbers in tryouts: 28.
Players to watch: P Jenni Johnson, sr; 3B Vanesha Riley, sr; C Amber James, soph; SS Amanda Milliard, soph; CF Kayla Stinger, soph; 2B Lindsay Nelson, jr; P Drew Walters, frosh.
Outlook: Every coach mentioned the Wildkats as a team to look out for. They lost no starters from last season's 14-9 team and have the highest number of kids in the program compared to the rest of the league. Kehr says that his team's strengths are speed and versatility. "Our team speed is better than it has been in the past and we have a number of girls who can play two or three different positions." Amazingly, the Wildkats have just two seniors - pitcher Jenni Johnson and all-state third baseman Vanesha Riley. "We are very young," he said. "We have only two seniors and three juniors." Kehr said that even though his pitchers aren't overpowering, they throw strikes.
Eureka Lions
Coach: Tom Shay, 1st year.
Last season's record: 14-8.
Starters lost: n/a.
Letter-winners returning: 7.
Number in tryouts: 13.
Players to watch: P Amy Roberts, sr; 3B April Paden, sr; CF Kim Bloushine, sr; LF Catherine Wimbley, sr; 2B Katin Baney, sr.
Outlook: Shay has his work cut out for him as the new leader of the former Class B-C squad that lost to three-time state champ Florence, 4-0, in the first round of last year's state tourney. Shay coached for 13 years in the American Legion and Babe Ruth baseball ranks, but this is his first in softball. He said that his five seniors are the strength of the team. "They are all pretty good," he said. "The are quick learners and very coachable." But the team has just one junior and three sophomores to compliment the upper class. So inexperience and youth up in the Class A ranks could sting for a bit.
Libby Loggers
Coach: Dean Thompson, 8th year (121-57).
Last season's record: 21-6, second at state.
Starters lost: 5.
Letter-winners returning: 8.
Number in tryouts: 22.
Players to watch: P Brooke Hageness, jr; SS Laice Dedrick, jr; 2B Megan Wadel, jr; 1B Nickole Lapka, soph; C Shelby Barton, jr.
Outlook: The Loggers lost five starters from last season's state championship game, but Thompson (and the rest of the league) believes the team can contend again. "We return two first-team all-state players and our young players got a lot of playing time and should be ready to make their permanent starts," Thompson said. "But our depth is lacking. We had a low player turnout this year and replacing our five graduated seniors will be tough." In addition to the players to watch, the Loggers will look to newcomers McKenzie Gratjohn (left field), Sami Freebury (center field) and Christina Shilling (third base) for contributions.
Polson Pirates
Coach: Larry Smith, 20th year (n/a).
Last season's record: 21-6, conference champs.
Starters lost: 1.
Letter-winners returning: 11.
Number in tryouts: 27.
Players to watch: P Dylen Zetterberg, sr; 1B Lindsey Rafter, sr; C Brittany Jones, sr; 3B Jaelin Vandeberg, sr; 2B Kendra Woldstad, sr; SS Kyla McDonald, sr; CF Amanda James, soph.
Outlook: The defending conference champs may be even better than last year. The Pirates lost just one starter and have seven seniors who earned postseason awards. Zetterberg is a three-time all-state selection. "This is a well-balanced group of girls," Smith said. "Our strength will be in our experienced seniors, who have great leadership. But our overall team speed and power hitting combined with our small-ball game gives us a strength in balance." The Pirates even have depth with two young pitchers and two juniors with varsity experience.
Whitefish Bulldogs
Coach: David Dachs, 2nd year (5-15).
Last season's record: 5-15.
Starters lost: 3.
Letter-winners returning: 8.
Number in tryouts: 24.
Players to watch: P/SS Kilani Morris, sr; P/SS Torey Ost, jr; CF Robin Cross, sr; C Desiree Clark, jr.
Outlook: Although picked to finish second-to-last in the conference, the Bulldogs have key players ready to contribute. Cross was out of the country last year, but lettered as a sophomore. Dachs said she should develop into the team leader. Clarke lead the team in hitting as a freshman but went through a slump last year. Dachs said she will be returning to form this year. Although the team will struggle hitting, Dachs said the girls have a positive attitude and a good work ethic.
Central A
Ronan Maidens
Coach: Doug Fisher, 3rd year (14-28).
Last season's record: 5-15.
Starters lost: 1.
Letter-winners returning: 10.
Number in tryouts: 28.
Players to watch: P/SS Kaylee Larson, soph; C Jordan Strozzi, soph; 1B Carli Starkel, soph; 2B Kelsey Clairmont, soph.
Outlook: The Maidens enter their first season in the Central A and are unfamiliar with Butte Central, Frenchtown, Hamilton, Corvallis, Anaconda and Stevensville. Four sophomores with postseason honors under their belts already will lead Ronan into action. The team also has three two-year starters in senior 3B Brittany Bilile and juniors Katlia Orr and Kirsten Courdier. "Our girls are very fast and athletic," Fisher said. "This is a plus because of their ability to be coached. This group of girls is very close and has created a solid team that is willing to sacrifice with each other."