New era begins at Glacier
The Glacier Wolfpack boys basketball team enters a new chapter in 2024-25.
Evan Epperly takes the helm after the retirement of Mark Harkins following last season. Epperly is just the second Wolfpack boys coach in school history.
While it may be a change at the top, there is still chemistry between the coach and players as Epperly spent the past two seasons as the Glacier junior varsity coach.
“I've had the privilege of being an assistant under Harkins the past couple of years,” Epperly said. “I'm fortunate to take over the program from him.”
The Wolfpack come off a 10-11 season where it came up just short of a berth to the state tournament, falling 58-56 to Butte.
Epperly says his team isn’t focusing on that or looking too far ahead this season.
“I think every team has those goals (of going to state),” Epperly said. “We are going to focus on the process and the other things will take care of themself.”
As for the team taking the court, Epperly returns four seniors who played in 17 or 18 games as juniors: Liam Ells, Luke Nikunen, Easton Kauffman and Slate Burrington.
Fellow seniors Ben Winters and twins Garrett and Hayden Endresen join the varsity squad.
The Wolfpack also feature junior Bigfork transfer Asher Knopik, who averaged 15.6 points per game for the Vikings a season ago.
“We are going to be a team that does it by committee,” Epperly said. “I think we have a competitive group of kids, a group that is fun to coach and excited to see how we can grow during the season as a team.”
The Wolfpack open their season at home Friday against Great Falls CMR.
Glacier girls
After a run to the state tournament in the spring, the Glacier girls and head coach Amanda Cram look to return in 2024-25.
“We are really focused and ready to build upon our success as far as chemistry and work ethic,” Cram said. “They are doing just that, they have bought into the goals of making noise at the state tournament, a lot of commitment in the gym.”
The Wolfpack feature a small senior class this season with only two girls, Reese Ramey and Cazz Rankosky, back from their junior seasons.
Cram also noted that the Wolfpack have something the program hasn’t seen in a while — height. Sophomores Allie Krueger (6-foot) and Madi Stevens (5-11) bolster the team inside.
In all Cram expects seven girls to see big varsity time early in the season, with one or two JV players stepping in with partial minutes.
Regardless of who is on the court though, Cram says she is confident in the team’s abilities.
“I trust anyone on the team to shoot the ball and make a play,” Cram said.
Glacier starts their season on the road Friday against CMR, they return home to host Gallatin on Dec. 20.
Flathead boys
On the southside of Kalispell, the Braves are ready to prove the doubters wrong.
“Last year was a lot of new stuff,” head coach Dan Trageser said. “This year kids are more comfortable with the system, working on small changes, not wholesale.”
There isn’t a whole lot of change with the roster either. Gone are four seniors from last season; but this year’s team features nine seniors, seven of whom saw varsity experience. Six started games. Trageser notes his roster played upwards of 30 games together over the summer.
Leading the way is Lyric Ersland, who Trageser says has grown his game through the offseason. Ersland led the Braves with 12.8 points per game in 2023-24.
Joining Ersland as experienced veterans are Dustyn Franchini-White, Gabe St. Germain, Brodee Zahn and Korbin Eaton. Trageser hopes to lean on them early in the season.
Flathead isn’t looking too far ahead; their goal is to improve and win each day.
“On Friday our goal is to go 1-0, and Saturday our goal is to go 1-0,” Trageser said. “I think that will lead us to the larger goals.
“I’m proud of the work our kids have put in. They are determined and coming in with a chip on the shoulder, they want to prove people wrong.”
The Braves open their season at home against Great Falls Friday in the Boyle Gym.
Flathead girls
The Bravettes feature a lot of new faces, but good chemistry.
Following a 4-15 season that saw five seniors graduate, Flathead sees a major roster shift for 2024-25.
Returning are three seniors: Sami Delager, Mattie Thompson and Ava Malmin — all three saw good minutes last season.
Those joining them have seen a lot of playing time together on the junior varsity squad a year ago.
“Our seniors have been good leaders,” head coach Kaylee Fox said. “They have taken some initiative to make sure we are focused at practice, setting the tone and upping the intensity.”
Fox notes that the Bravettes feature good height for 2024-25 with three players taller than six feet, including Delager (6-1) and Thompson (6-2).
Expect Fox to employ a different offensive look than in past seasons to try and take advantage inside instead of playing around the perimeter.
Flathead opens their season on the road Friday at Great Falls. They play their home opener on Dec. 20 against Bozeman.