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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

North Star

In predicted order of finish:

LAKESIDE KNIGHTS

1994-95 record: 3-5 NSL, 12-10 overall

Coach: Greg Stutzman

Years coaching: 4

Career record: 14-49

Top returners: Dan Montague, 6-foot-4, senior, forward-center; James Twoteeth, 5-8, junior, guard; Lyle Meshell, 6-2, sr., c; Brendon Nelson, 6-2, jr., f; Glen Lambert, 5-10, jr., g.

Newcomers: Buck Allen, 5-9, sophomore, g; Sam Matheson, 5-11, soph., f; Jason Johnson, 5-9, soph., g; Ken Pluff, 6-0, soph., f; Evertt Wolfe, 6-2, sr., p.

Bonus shot: The Knights return virtually intact, with eight players from a group of 35 battling for the starting five positions.

Coach’s comment: “We have some real skilled players coming back. They’re a strong bunch of kids - good feet, good speed. They move the ball up the court real well, and they shoot the ball real well. I think we’re way ahead of last year with our progress.”

Outlook: Mullan could be the NSL spoiler, Stutzman figures. “We should be knocking at the door when tournament time comes around.” The Knights, plagued by flu and bronchitis, open the season Friday at Rosalia, Wash. “We are positive; there’s no question the kids feel confident. We’ve got to go out and play, and earn the wins. One thing we’ve stressed big-time is don’t be looking past some teams.”

MULLAN TIGERS

1994-95 record: 4-4, 9-12

Coach: John Drager

Years coaching: 27 (second since 1987)

Career record: Not available

Top returners: David Reed, 6-0, sr., f; Alex Lindstrom, 6-2, sr., f; Dan Fritz, 6-1, jr., g.

Newcomers: Chris Angle, 6-3, jr., f-p; Al Sisk, 6-2, jr., f; Steve Greenfield, 6-0, soph., g; Rowdy Bush, 5-9, sr., g; Aaron Murphy, 5-11, sr., g; Eugene Chavez, 6-7, jr., g; Brad Ban, 5-10, jr., g.

Bonus shot: The Tigers, who struggled with injuries and illness last year, haven’t had a winning season since 1987.

Coach’s comment: “The thing is when you just finish up football, we’re probably a week or so behind the rest. I think this team is going to be all right.”

Outlook: Enrollment is down at Mullan (80 for grades 9-12). Drager is working with just 16 players. Reed, the NSL’s Most Valuable Player as a sophomore, averaged 15 points per game last year. Lakeside is the NSL team to beat, Drager said. “It’s going to be tough, we split with (the Knights) last year. They beat us by four.” Mullan opens the season Friday against Wallace in the Silver Valley Tournament at Kellogg.

CLARK FORK WAMPUS CATS

1994-95 record: 7-1, 15-9, first NSL and District I, third at state

Coach: Bird Nietmann

Years coaching: 9

Record: 100-72

Top returners: Jason Stevens, 6-5, jr., c; Matt Lamburth, 5-8, sr., g.

Newcomers: Ian Reuter, 5-11, jr., f; Brent Stevens, 5-7, soph., g; Jeremy Powell, 6-2, jr., p; Nick Higgins, 5-9, sr., p; Nate Stutzke, 6-0, freshman, p.

Bonus shot: Nietmann picked up his 100th career victory at the State A-4 tournament last season, as the Wampus Cats defeated Dietrich 60-57 for third place.

Coach’s comment: “We want to win the league and district and go back to state. It’s not going to be easy.”

Outlook: Clark Fork, the four-time defending NSL champs, graduated 37 points per game with Mike Gow and Jeremy Lizotte last spring. “We’ve lost 10 starters in the last two years. It’s really tough at this level. We’ll be young.” Teamwork will be the key for the Wampus Cats who should have a balanced inside-outside game. Clark Fork opens the season Tuesday against the Lake City junior varsity.

FALLS CHRISTIAN EAGLES

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

Coach: Wes Davis

Years coaching: 3

Career record: 17-23

Top returners: Jared Horton, 6-6, sr., c; Brandon Mullen, 5-8, sr., g; Matt Backs, 5-9, sr., g.

Newcomers: Ben Larson, 6-2, jr., f; Frode Lefevre, 6-0, jr., f; Ryan Smith, 6-1, sr., f; Jared Bligh, 5-11, frosh., g; Ben Berg, 5-9, jr., g; Aaron Burns, 5-10, soph., g.

Bonus shot: Lefevre is one of three exchange students on the team. The Norway native might be the best all-around athlete on the team, Davis said. Lefevre is a handball specialist in his country. “He can dunk it. He can make shots that no one else on the team can. By midseason I see him being a factor.”

Coach’s comment: “Our strength this year is inside, which is a lot different than in years past. I like it. We’ll be a good rebounding team, a good defensive team. We’re going to need some guys to step up at guard.”

Outlook: Falls graduated the NSL’s scoring leader last season in Josh Erk (22.6 ppg), but Horton comes off a 14.2 ppg season. “He’s improved a ton from last year. He’s going to scare some people. He’s twice the player he was last season.” The Eagles open the season this weekend at the Northport (Wash.) Tournament. Don’t overlook Clark Fork in the NSL, cautions Davis. “I think until somebody knocks Clark Fork off, I don’t know how you wouldn’t pick them as a favorite.”

KOOTENAI WARRIORS

1994-95 record: 2-6, 8-11

Coach: Russ Baker

Years coaching: First at Kootenai

Career record: Not available

Top returners: Joe Lamb, 6-0, jr., g.

Newcomers: Paul Dionne, 6-1, sr., g; Dallas Passow, 6-6, soph., c; Scot Johns, 5-10, fr., g; John Sturgill, 6-0, sr., f; Randy Reinhofer, 6-6, soph., c.

Bonus shot: The starting five positions are all up for grabs after the graduation of standout Dan Usdrowski (11.9 ppg) and transfer of 6-3 forward Jon Chatfield (21.4 ppg) to Lake City.

Coach’s comment: “We’re pretty young, but they’re hard workers with pretty good quickness. We’ll probably go nine deep, all about the same ability. We’re looking to get better as the year progresses.”

Outlook: Lamb is the lone returner among 25 players. The Warriors open the season on Dec. 7 at Wallace. “I’d like to have another month. We have a lot of new things.” Baker hasn’t had a chance learn much about the NSL. “I’ll find out as the season goes on.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch 1. David Reed, 6-foot, senior, forward, Mullan 2. Jared Horton, 6-6, senior, center, Falls Christian 3. Jason Stevens, 6-5, junior, center, Clark Fork 4. Dan Montague, 6-4, senior, forward-center, Lakeside 5. Alex Lindstrom, 6-2, senior, forward, Mullan 6. James Twoteeth, 5-8, junior, guard, Lakeside

This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch 1. David Reed, 6-foot, senior, forward, Mullan 2. Jared Horton, 6-6, senior, center, Falls Christian 3. Jason Stevens, 6-5, junior, center, Clark Fork 4. Dan Montague, 6-4, senior, forward-center, Lakeside 5. Alex Lindstrom, 6-2, senior, forward, Mullan 6. James Twoteeth, 5-8, junior, guard, Lakeside