Clark Fork’s Senior Leaders Have Cats Standing Tall

An 0-5 start didn’t alarm Clark Fork boys basketball coach William ‘Bird’ Nietmann, especially since four of the losses were by three points or less.

But seniors Mike Gow, a 6-foot-5 center, and Jeremy Lizotte, a 6-3 guard, took notice.

“They never complained, they just kept working hard,” Nietmann said. “They said, ‘Bird, you’re not cracking down like you used to.’ They wanted me to get a little tougher.”

Nietmann obliged.

And the Wampus Cats salvaged not only a winning season at 13-8, but went on to win the North Star League and the A-4 District I tournament, plus a berth in today’s state tournament in Idaho Falls. Clark Fork opens against Cascade (19-5) at 7:15 p.m. PST at Hillcrest High School.

“We were used to playing with last year’s team,” Lizotte admitted. “Everyone was the go-to person on that team. This year, it’s more of a team. Everyone can shoot.”

Clark Fork finished fourth at the 1994 state tournament, and returned only four players from that team.

“Our practices were really boring to start with,” Gow said. “We were going back to the basics, but it paid off.”

“It was hard at the beginning just to stand there,” Lizotte added. “But it wasn’t too bad because they were all trying and all of them knew how to play basketball.”

It was just a matter of gaining experience and instilling confidence, like Gow and Lizotte have over the years. The pair got an elementary introduction to basketball via Nietmann as fourth-graders.

“They’ve come a long way when I think about what they were like when they were freshmen,” Nietmann said of the two-time all-leaguers.

“Attitude, spirit, intensity and hustle” are their biggest improvements, Nietmann said.

Gow and Lizotte key Clark Fork’s 1-3-1 zone press, as well as the team’s halfcourt offense. Gow averages 13.7 points per game and Lizzotte adds 11.2.

“He’s the key to our defense,” Gow said of Lizotte. “He’s the best hustler. He’s all over the court. Jeremy thrives on the 1-3-1. He picks off a lot of passes. He’s a good anticipator. He’s got a nice shot, the drive and pullup on the baseline.”

Gow’s quickness and size haunt opponents defensively, as the front man on the press.

Gow poses an offensive threat up to 3-point range.

“He’s got a different type of shot, with no arch,” Nietmann said. “He takes the ball to the basket, where as a freshman, he fell away from the basket. The same with Jeremy - he’d never take it to the hoop.”

Opponents double- and triple-team Gow defensively, which creates openings for Lizotte.

“He’s just full-boar all the time,” Nietmann said of Lizotte. “Sometimes I wish he’d change the pace. He gets everyone going because of his intensity. He really doesn’t like to lose.”

Nietmann added, “They’re not the vocal-type leaders, more by example and intensity.”

MEMO: This is a sidebar which appeared with story:

STATE A-3/A-4 TOURNAMENTS

Both tournaments begin today in Idaho Falls, the A-3 at Skyline High School and the A-4 at Hillcrest High School. Firstround games: A-3 - Potlatch (23-1) vs. Fruitland (17-7), 1 p.m. PST; West Jefferson (19-4) vs. Lapwai (20-6), 2:30; Parma (13-10) vs. Wendell (17-7), 5:45; Malad (18-5) vs. Teton (21-7), 7:15. A-4 - Troy (21-3) vs. Notus (22-3), 1; Nampa Christian (22-1) vs. Dietrich (20-6), 2:30; Oakley (18-6) vs. North Gem (18-5), 5:45; Clark Fork (13-8) vs. Cascade (19-5), 7:15. Clark Fork vs. Cascade: If this opener isn’t decided until the final minutes, put your money on the Wampus Cats. Clark Fork knew how to win the close games in the North Star League. Six of the Wampus Cats’ seven league wins were by six points or less, two in overtime. The Wampus Cats won the close games at state last year and finished fourth in their first trip to state in 13 years. “(State experience) is going to make a big difference, just the face we’ve been there,” Clark Fork coach William ‘Bird’ Nietmann said. The Wampus Cats face a young team, but one with a state tourney track record. Cascade finished second in 1990-91 and third the following year. “We’re comparable to those teams - maybe not as athletic, but a lot more dedicated,” Cascade coach Jim Simpson said. The teams play contrasting styles: Clark Fork is patient and Cascade will run-and-gun. The Wampus Cats try to create offense out of their 1-3-1 press. “We won (league and district) because of our defense, our trap,” Nietmann said. Players to watch: Clark Fork - Mike Gow, 6-5 sr., post, 13.7 points per game; Jeremy Lizotte, 6-3 sr., post, 11.2 ppg. Cascade - Jason Hull, 6-3 sr., post, 17 points and 9 rebounds per game; Harry Waldron, 5-11 sr., 13 ppg.