AA basketball preview: Wolfpack boys to focus on guard play

There’s a big absence missing on the floor for Glacier’s boys basketball team entering the season.

And it’s more than just a departed 7-footer.

Glacier, which finished in fourth place in Class AA last season, graduated nine seniors, including current Gonzaga center Ryan Edwards and four out of six players who saw starting minutes.

“We’ll be very different this year,” Glacier coach Mark Harkins said.

“We’ll be a perimeter oriented team. We’ll focus on, we think our strength is in our guards. We’ll be very different from last year, obviously, when we had a 7-footer (Edwards) and we pounded it inside.”

The Wolfpack will center its game around its backcourt, which is one of the best in the state. Returning all-state point guard Evan Epperly and shooting guard Bryan Michaels each bring back a wealth of experience to the team.

Epperly, a third-year starter for Glacier, is on the short list for player of the year candidates entering his senior season, with the bulk of the Wolfpack offense running through his hands.

“Obviously we play through Evan,” Harkins said.

“He’s our all-time assists leader already, (earning that) as a junior. He really gets things going offensively. We will really focus on him running the show for us. He makes great decisions on the court whether it’s in the open court or in the half court. He will be the catalyst of our offense no question.”

The Wolfpack hopes to use Michaels, who played spots at guard, forward and center last season, to stretch the defense, using his height and shooting ability to create mismatches.

“He shoots the ball pretty well from the outside,” Harkins said.

“Our offense overall is based on getting the ball to the (shooting guard) first. We’ve had some pretty good twos in the past ... That’s where we start with so we’d like to get the ball in his hands early.”

The only other returning players that suited up for varsity last season are Tanner Olsen, Kyler Harkins and Kevin Malloy, though none saw significant playing time. Each of the three will likely fill out the starting five as the Wolfpack tips off today against Great Falls C.M. Russell.

“We’re going to try to spread floor and look to get out and go,” Harkins said.

“When we’re on offense a lot of dribble penetration. We think have some guys that can shoot the ball pretty well. It’s going to be a very different focus as far as philosophy offensively. Much more focused on the perimeter game.”

Glacier is in a pack of teams fighting for positioning behind defending state champion Missoula Hellgate. The Knights return four of five starters from that team, including star junior Tres Tinkle.

Helena Capital should also be strong, returning most of its starters.

“You’ve got to take those two at the top,” Harkins said.

“With all of the returning guys and the success they had last year, that’s kind of a no brainer.

“I think the rest of the league is kind of wide open and even ... Everybody has some nice players. I think it’s going to be a great, great conference this year.”

The varsity season is scheduled to tip off tonight at 7:30 at Glacier High School.