Inland Empire

In predicted order of finish:

LAKE CITY TIMBERWOLVES

1994-95 record: 5-3 IEL, 14-10 overall, Region I champion

Coach: Jim Winger

Years coaching: 4, 2nd at LC

Career record: 47-28

Top returners: Scott Hoover, 6-5, senior, wing; Mike Thompson, 5-9, sr., point guard; Chad Beadell, 6-3, sr., post; Jerid Keefer, 5-10, sr., g.

Newcomers: Jon Chatfield, 6-3, sr., w; Mike Asper, 6-1, sr., w.

Bonus shot: In three years as a head coach, Winger’s teams have all gone to state. He should make reservations for a fourth trip.

Coach’s comment: “The character of this team is a team from heaven. Win, lose or draw it’s going to be a real fun year just because of how great the kids are. I hope this team gets to state because of the kids. I’ve probably never been more excited about a team than this year.”

Outlook: The Timberwolves are picked by the league’s coaches as the team to beat. They should be, too. Winger has a solid nucleus to work with, led by the top point guard in the league, Thompson. Hoover and Chatfield will dazzle and should garner much attention from college recruiters. Winger has the makings of his best team ever. LC, which has the toughest non-league schedule of all IEL teams, opens Friday at West Valley.

POST FALLS TROJANS

1994-95 record: 7-1 IEL champ, 21-6

Coach: Scott Moore

Years coaching: 4

Career record: 39-32

Top returners: Brett Hollenbeck, 6-0, sr., g; Austin Lee, 6-5, sr., p.

Newcomers: Brason Alexander, 5-9, jr., pg; Chad Quesnell, 5-7, sophomore, pg; Travis O’Briant, 5-11, sr., w; Jeremy McLean, 5-10, jr., w; Darryl Bechel, 5-10, sr., g.

Bonus shot: Like last year, the Trojans bench players shouldn’t get too comfortable. In fact, they might as well take their warmups off before the game because Moore will go to his bench early and often.

Coach’s comment: “We’ll be a little inexperienced and it will show during the early going. We’ll take some lumps early. Halfway through the season we should be a pretty solid ballclub. I think with Lake City’s new recruit (Jon Chatfield) they should be the team to beat.”

Outlook: The Trojans lost much to graduation, but promote the nucleus of a junior varsity team that posted a 20-1 record. It will take some time for this team to meld. If that occurs the Trojans could be the team to give Lake City its stiffest challenge. Post Falls opens Friday at home against East Valley.

LEWISTON BENGALS

1994-95 record: 5-3, 14-9

Coach: Dick Richel

Years coaching: 15, 8th at Lewiston

Career record: 109-55

Top returners: Ben Feider, 6-8, sr., p; Jim Farris, 6-0, sr., g; Jeremy Frei, 5-10, sr., g.

Newcomers: Clayton Steele, 5-10, sr., g; Kevin Lorentz, 6-5, sr., p; Nick Williams, 6-2, sr., w-p.

Bonus shot: The Bengals return a half starter in Feider (he started 11 games). It’s the first time in Richel’s career that he hasn’t returned at least one marquee-type player.

Coach’s comment: “It’s a pretty good year to make the Bengals,” Richel quipped. “We’re just taking it one day at a time; we’re not thinking about the future. It’s Basketball 101, we’re basically starting from scratch. This is as inexperienced of a team as I’ve had in my career.”

Outlook: Would you expect anything less from Richel, known affectionately as one of the top sandbaggers in the coaching profession? Feider will have to carry a big load for the Bengals, and he returns in the best shape ever. The Bengals’ success in football meant a late start for Richel. Lewiston will struggle, particularly on offense during the early season. The good news here is Lewiston is the site of the regional tournament. But the Bengals must get to the tourney to enjoy homecourt advantage. Lewiston opens Friday when it meets Bonners Ferry in the annual Bengal Shootout.

COEUR D’ALENE VIKINGS

1994-95 record: 2-6, 3-18

Coach: Larry Bieber

Years coaching: 2

Career record: 3-18

Top returners: Jesse Hoorelbeke, 6-3, sr., w-p; Luke (Adamen) O’Dowd, 6-6, soph., p; Eric Hermstad, 6-3, sr., p; Josh Davis, 6-0, sr., pg; Ryan Corbeill, 5-10, sr., g.

Newcomers: Ben Davis, 6-1, jr., f; Sam Milionis, 5-11, jr., g; Luke Lee, 6-3, sr., p.

Bonus shot: The Viks are hungry to wipe away the embarrassment of the worst season in school history.

Coach’s comment: “The nice thing about this year is we have some experience. I feel like we’ve got good depth. We’ll try to open the court and use the whole 90 feet. My only concern is whether the returning players pick it up a notch from where they were last year.”

Outlook: Seriously, the Viks should be much improved over last season. Whether that’s enough for CdA to make a serious run at a league title remains to be seen. If O’Dowd develops into the premier player that he can be and Josh Davis plays under control at the point the Viks could give LC and Post Falls trouble. CdA opens Friday at Lakeland.

SANDPOINT BULLDOGS

1994-95 record: 2-6, 7-16

Coach: Jack Dyck

Years coaching: 16, 4th at Sandpoint

Career record: 202-141 overall, 28-39 at Sandpoint

Top returners: Dean Buckmaster, 6-2, sr., forward; Jared Herrington, 5-9, jr., g; Carson Jeffres, 6-2, jr., f.

Newcomers: Brandon Eller, 6-0, soph., pg; Caleb Bowman, 6-0, soph., g.

Bonus shot: Now this is a true bonus. Sandpoint had some scheduling problems, but managed to add two final games last minute when Lewiston invited the Bulldogs to the Bengal Shootout this weekend.

Coach’s comment: “We have ability, but we’re pretty young. I’m tickled about the future and if it comes this year it’s even better. We’ll be one of those teams that keep getting better and better, and as a coach that’s what you try to do.”

Outlook: Dyck has much reason to be hopeful. He finally has a spread of talent through all levels of his program. Though the potential may not be realized this season it won’t be for a lack of effort. This team will give Dyck everything it has for four quarters. Sandpoint opens Friday against Pendleton (Ore.) at Bengal Shootout in Lewiston.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch 1. Scott Hoover, 6-foot-5, senior, wing, Lake City 2. Brett Hollenbeck, 5-11, senior, guard, Post Falls 3. Jon Chatfield, 6-3, senior, guard, Lake City 4. Jesse Hoorelbeke, 6-1, senior, wing, Coeur d’Alene 5. Jared Herrington, 5-9, junior, guard, Sandpoint 6. Ben Feider, 6-8, senior, post, Lewiston