Braves bring size, youth to 2021-22 season

It’s unique that a basketball team can graduate a 6-foot-8 senior (Ezra Epperly), and the first detail that people mention ahead of the new season is size.

That’s what Flathead has going for it, among other things, as the Braves get going for 2020-21.

Joe Hansen, 6-foot-5, will man the pivot. Noah Cummings, a 6-4 sophomore, will start at one forward; Luca Zoeller, a 6-3 senior who came on toward the end of last season, will start at the other.

Add in 6-4 Gavin Choinard at off guard, and you get it.

“We’re going to try to use our height, and we want to establish defense as our identity,” said second-year coach Dirk Johnsrud.

That means some pressure and a solid man-to-man.

In the backcourt there is Drew Lowry at the point, Chouinard and – importantly – senior Joston Cripe after New Year’s. The guard tore a knee ligament in Flathead’s AA play-in game in March; he was able to golf on it last fall, but basketball demands more caution.

“We’re just making sure he’s healed,” Johnsrud said of Cripe, who averaged 15.6 points a game last season. “We feel like it’s in his best interests to come back in January.”

At 2.7 ppg, Zoeller is the top returning scorer after Cripe. Possibly picking up the slack are sophomores Brady Thornsberry (6-2), Josh Eagleton (6-2) and Josh Riley, along with 6-3 freshman Lyric Ersland and 6-0 junior post Michael Manning.

“I’m excited for our upperclassmen, but we also have a strong sophomore class,” Johnsrud said. “I’ve been extremely impressed with our practices. Our effort has been great.”

Flathead begins its season on the road, playing Great Falls High on Friday night and C.M. Russell Saturday afternoon.