Full Count with Fritz Neighbor
Read Fritz Neighbor’s Full Count sports columns offering seasoned analysis of Montana athletics, high school sports, and college rivalries. With decades of experience, Neighbor delivers sharp commentary, storytelling, and context on teams, athletes, and major sports moments across Northwest Montana.
Full Count: Masters class in making a big comeback
Maria Phelps discovered her talent in the 800 meters too late to excel at it in high school — she was already chu…
Rounding up trophy runs of Wolfpack, Bravettes
Recency bias is a thing, so I have a couple things of note after watching the recent State AA basketball tournaments last weekend at the Butte Civic Center.
Hard Knocks, Golden Gloves under (sky) lights
Before he racked up a 9-4 record as a professional fighter, Jesse Uhde honed his skills at a place called Kalispell Boxing.
7 years later, the Wildcats break through
The Columbia Falls Wildcats’ boys basketball team is 14-3, and if you think they’ve fattened up on Class B competition, we have some context.
This time numbers still add up
For the record, this year’s scoring change for State AA boys did not affect the top of the team wrestling standings.
State titles and bonus daughters
One thing you may not know about Amber and Bella Downing — I didn’t — is that they are not related.
A Maiden (and Chief) voyage for Ronan hoops
To this point Leina Ulutoa, the leading scorer and rebounder on this year’s Ronan basketball team, hasn’t traveled far for a basketball game.
Column: Thankful for extra kicks, tackles — and one big win
As we gather around the giant yard bird that accompanies this holiday, the Polson Pirates can give thanks for the seasons they had.
Column: On the outside of Legion ball, a Premier arm
The question was posed of Ty Schwaiger that, given his arm strength, has he told teammate Fynn Ridgeway that the wrong guy plays QB for the Whitefish Football Bulldogs?
Column: Rockets, flames, power-hitting and great hair
A lot has changed in seven years, I realized, as I drove around the 405.
Ronan, C-Falls, Glacier and ‘a good time’
Kris Salonen reiterated this week that she loved basketball more than track as a high school athlete at Great Falls High. “But I was better at track, so I did that,” she said.
Stellar jumps, sprints — and hoodies
Covering track and field is not supposed to hurt, but here I am nursing a swollen knee and it wasn’t for any sort of, you know, effort.
Break out the gloves and eye black
A dozen years as a head football coach in California and another 18 as an assistant at the high school and college level have prepared Mark Kessler for this moment. Girls flag football is coming to Montana this Au…
COLUMN: The hunt for trophies — and free food
Two days ago Fin Nadeau was winning a State AA wrestling title. Yesterday Dougie Peoples was knocking down a 30-footer to win a State A basketball championship. Or maybe it just seems that way.
COLUMN: A second chance, then third place, second and fourth
The goal, coming off an appearance in the 2021 State AA finals, was a state championship in 2022.
COLUMN: Navigated her path like a true Legend
There was a time at Flathead High when Tess Brenneman was so busy, she more or less forgot to think about what’s next.