Intermountain League

In predicted order of finish: MOSCOW BEARS

1994-95 record: 9-1 IML, 17-8 overall, fourth at state

Coach: Sally Greene

Years coaching: 9

Career record: 136-56

Top returners: Angie Sorbel, 5-10, sr., post; Amy Lemm, 5-7, sr., guard; Jenny Moslemi, 5-5, sr., point guard; Stefani Reynolds, 5-8, sr., wing-p; Angie Gibson, 5-11, jr., w-p.

Newcomers: Jeannine Korus, 5-11, sr., p; Tami Goetz, 5-7, soph., g.

Bonus shot: Greene has had a few state champions and she likes the makings of this year’s team.

Coach’s comment: “I feel like I’ve got the best pair of guards in the league. Overall it’s the most coachable group of kids I’ve ever had.”

Outlook: The Bears played the best defense in the league and it translated into league and district titles. “We’re stronger than we were last year.” Bring on the league and district titles again. Moscow opens Tuesday at Lake City.

BONNERS FERRY BADGERS

1994-95 record: 8-2, 18-8, state runner-up

Coach: Jim Nash

Years coaching: 2

Career record: 18-8

Top returners: Sarah Walter, 5-3, soph., pg; Denelle Ripatti, 5-8, soph., forward; Becky Bateman, 5-7, jr., g-w; Sarah Knott, 5-11, sr., p.

Newcomers: Kristi Comer, 5-11, jr., p-f; Amber Paulson, 5-10, soph., f.

Bonus shot: Nash stepped into a difficult situation last year, inheriting a club full of talent that had big expectations. He was equal to the task.

Coach’s comment: “We’re so young. Hopefully by district time we’ll be ready. We should be competitive.”

Outlook: The Badgers lost a lot to graduation, but there are still high expectations. The concern here is a road-heavy schedule. The Badgers play 14 of 20 games on the road. They open Nov. 21 at Post Falls.

ST. MARIES LUMBERJACKS

1994-95 record: 4-6, 9-14

Coach: Todd Gilkey

Years coaching: First

Career record: None

Top returners: Amanda Tams, 5-10, sr., p; Bryna Reynolds, 5-4, sr., pg; Sarah Shippy, 5-5, sr., g; Alecia Adams, 5-4, soph., g; Brooke Wolfe, 5-8, jr., w.

Newcomers: Jolie Kunkel, 5-10, soph., p; Brianne Badgett, 5-7, jr., w; Amy Reid, 5-3, soph., g.

Bonus shot: Gilkey takes over for longtime coach Jim Asher, who was fired last year.

Coach’s comment: “I don’t really think I’m picking up the pieces. I think we can keep going on with what Jim (Asher) built. We’ll be OK.”

Outlook: The departure of Asher also meant the departure of his twin tower daughters, Missy and Alison. “We lost about 12 feet of height there. We’re not going to be very big, but we’ll try to do some pressure things.” St. Maries opens Nov. 17 at Post Falls.

PRIEST RIVER SPARTANS

1994-95 record: 0-10, 5-16

Coach: Ron Hopkins

Years coaching: 3

Career record: 7-35

Top returners: Abbie Stensland, 5-7, sr., f; Sara Suchocki, 5-4, sr., g; April Rasmussen, 5-11, sr., p; Katy Duley, 5-3, jr., pg.

Newcomers: Missy Ennis, 5-9, jr., w; Krissi Ruiz, 5-9, freshman, p.

Bonus shot: It was a breakthrough year for the Spartans volleyball team (second in league), and Hopkins hopes for the same in basketball.

Coach’s comment: “We’ll be better than last year. I think we can contend for second.”

Outlook: Second in league might be too high for the Spartans, but they will be much improved. Hopkins will start to reap the fruit of his hard work in trying to build a program. Spartans open Nov. 17 at Clark Fork.

LAKELAND HAWKS

1994-95 record: 3-7, 3-15

Coach: Steve Seymour

Years coaching: First

Career record: None

Top returners: Amber Jamison, 5-10, jr., w-p; Nikki Schaffer, 5-9, jr., w; Sam Boone, 5-9, jr., w.

Newcomers: Alyssa Douglas, 5-7, soph., g; Lindsey Meyer, 5-6, sr., g.

Bonus shot: The coaching carousel continues at Lakeland, which has had five head coaches since 1990.

Coach’s comment: “I’m still trying to get acquainted with the players and get everything in. They work hard in practice and seemed focus on improvement.”

Outlook: Beyond that, Seymour doesn’t know much about his team. It’s difficult to gauge the potential of the Hawks, he said. “We’re optimistic in what we expect from them, but everything is unproven so far.” Lakeland opens Tuesday at home against Post Falls.

KELLOGG WILDCATS

1994-95 record: 6-4, 14-10

Coach: Mark Holzer

Years coaching: First

Career record: None

Top returners: Amy Lemon, 5-6, jr., pg; Melissa Hei, 5-8, jr., w.

Newcomers: Pauline Costa, 5-8, jr., f; Joey Luchini, 5-9, jr., p.

Bonus shot: Holzer served as JV coach to former boys coach David Roberts. He took the girls job because he wanted to start his own program.

Coach’s comment: “We’re really young so that’s definitely a concern. But we’ve got a good group of multiple-sport athletes. They play hard.”

Outlook: Holzer has a solid group of underclassmen to build around, but the Wildcats will take some lumps this year. Holzer is hopeful that the athletes who experienced some success in volleyball will help develop a foundation in basketball. Kellogg opens Monday in the Silver Valley Tournament.

, DataTimes MEMO: See related story under the headline: Stockwell hopes stock will hold

This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYERS TO WATCH 1. Angie Sorbel, 5-foot-10, senior, post, Moscow 2. Denelle Ripatti, 5-8, sophomore, forward, Bonners Ferry 3. Sara Suchocki, 5-4, senior, guard, Priest River 4. Amanda Tams, 5-10, senior, post, St. Maries 5. Amy Lemm, 5-7, senior, guard, Moscow