Intermountain League
In predicted order of finish
Bonners Ferry Badgers
1995-96 record: 6-4 IML, 10-10 overall
Coach: Ken Robertson
Years coaching, record: 3, 2nd at BF, 11-31
Top returners: Adam Hiatt, 6-0, senior, point guard/wing; Brian Meeker, 6-3, sr., forward; Allen Ashby, 6-6, sr., post; Levi Robertson, 5-10, sr., guard; Ben Staples, 6-3, sr., f; Jesse Ross, 6-2, sr., f.
Newcomers: Leo Zimmerman, 6-2, junior, f.
Bonus shot: The Badgers can continue a dominant year for Bonners Ferry athletics by capturing a league title. The boys and girls cross country teams won district titles and the football team knocked off the preseason favorites to capture the league championship. The girls basketball team also is favored to win the league title.
Coach’s comment: “I like the fact that with as many returners as we have, they realize from last year what it’s going to take to compete. We’re not going to surprise people.”
Outlook: State-bound. The Badgers will get up and down the floor and score points in bunches. The key is whether they play defense. If the Badgers don’t get caught standing at midcourt, they could be a runaway league winner. Hiatt, a 3-point shooting ace, led the league in scoring last year (19.2 points per game). The Badgers could have toughest offensive package to defend: solid perimeter attack with size underneath. They open tonight at home against St. George’s of Spokane.
Kellogg Wildcats
1995-96 record: 8-2, co-league champ, 21-5
Coach: Tony Kerfoot
Years coaching, record: 8, 2nd at Kellogg, 79-83
Top returners: Mike Mercado, 6-1, sr., g; Nathan Corkill, 6-1, sr., g; Brian Carlson, 6-0, jr., g/f; Seth Rice, 6-5, sr., p.
Newcomers: Casey Marek, 6-2, jr., w; Chris Lewis, 6-0, sr., p; Heath Marek, 6-7, jr., p; Cory Lewis, 5-9, jr., g.
Bonus shot: The Wildcats have had at least one standout each season in recent years. As many as seven or eight players could score in double figures this year.
Coach’s comment: “We graduated a lot of experience, but I like the heart and soul of this team. We’ve got a lot of work to do and need a lot of polish. We know we’re going to have to get it done on defense.”
Outlook: Promising. The trademark of Kerfoot teams is defense. No IML team will play harder than Kellogg. The Wildcats’ offense will come from their defense. Kellogg may not start the year with a guaranteed all-league selection, but no matter. The success the Wildcats enjoy will be classified under the term “team.” Kellogg opens Friday against rival Wallace in the Silver Valley Tournament at Mullan.
Moscow Bears
1995-96 record: 8-1, co-league champ, 20-4, state runner-up
Coach: Don Dudley
Years coaching, record: 3, 30-17
Top returners: Adam Miller, 5-11, sr., pg; Drew Owen, 6-7, sr., p; Scott Strobel, 6-2, sr., w; Gus Johnson, 6-5, sr., p/w; Chad Curtis, 6-1, sr., w.
Newcomers: Tony Rinaldi, 5-8, jr., pg/ g; Evan Stewart, 6-3, sr., p.
Bonus shot: The Bears had a talented starting lineup last season, but it was their bench that carried them to a runner-up finish at state. One of Dudley’s top priorities is developing a bench.
Coach’s comment: “It’s going to take us a while to come together. We may surprise some people.”
Outlook: Potential. Much of the Bears’ success will revolve around the play of Miller, who is recovering from shoulder surgery (football injury). He likely won’t be at full strength until after Christmas. The Bears may have lost some key players, but they still have a pool of athletes to build around. Moscow opens Friday at Orofino.
Lakeland Hawks
1995-96 record: 2-8, 2-17
Coach: Trent Derrick
Years coaching, record: 1st
Top returners: Paul Kowalczyk, 6-5, sr., p; Scott Rothrock, 5-10, sr., g; Jared Mudge, 6-2, sophomore, f; Ryan Banks, 6-2, sr., w; Casey Dotts, 6-1, sr., w; Brian Holtz, 5-10, sr., g.
Newcomers: Kurt Reese, 6-3, jr., p; Harrison Bertsch, 6-2, soph., g.
Bonus shot: Dark horse is a term a few coaches used to describe the Hawks. If new coach and players end up on same page, Hawks could surprise by district tourney.
Coach’s comment: “Nobody is expecting us to be in the front seat, so it takes some pressure off of us. We have expectations, but it will take some time.”
Outlook: Cinderella? One of the biggest obstacles Derrick faces is changing a well-aged perception that Lakeland isn’t a basketball school. That will take time. “We’ve got some good kids; if any group can do it maybe this group can,” Derrick said. Derrick and Hawks will get a quick initiation. They play Bonners Ferry the second game of the season - at Bonners Ferry. The Hawks open Tuesday at Sandpoint.
St. Maries Lumberjacks
1995-96 record: 3-6, 9-11
Coach: Todd Bitterman
Years coaching, record: 2, 9-11
Top returners: Chris Weinmann, 6-5, sr., p; Ty Konkright, 6-0, sr., w; D.J. Eberlin, 6-1, jr., w; Jeremy Craner, 5-10, sr., g; Mark Raebel, 6-1, jr., p.
Newcomers: Chris Lanning, 6-2, sr., w; Bill Brebner, 5-10, sr., g; Dan Boyd, 5-9, sr., g.
Bonus shot: The Lumberjacks played in the runner-up-to-state district game last season. It will take a monumental effort for St. Maries to advance as far this season.
Coach’s comment: “I’m concerned about our overall speed. And our athleticism is average. We’ll have to play flawless ball to compete with the top teams.”
Outlook: Overachievers. The Lumberjacks have some players, don’t be fooled. But they don’t have the depth to get into full-court games. St. Maries will have to do some gimmick things and play intense defense to keep from getting caught in up-tempo games. St. Maries opens Friday at home against Potlatch.
Priest River Spartans
1995-96 record: 2-8, 5-17
Coach: Matt Perry
Years coaching, record: 1st
Top returners: Dane Ackley, 5-11, soph., g.
Newcomers: Brett Storro, 6-2, jr., f; Jeff Griesemer, 6-2, jr., f/c; Larry Johnson, 5-9, sr., pg; Justin Coleman, 6-1, sr., g/f.
Bonus shot: A 1990 Priest River graduate, Perry started his senior season. He’s witnessed the best and worst of times of Spartans basketball. He hopes to return the Spartans to the best of times.
Coach’s comment: “I’m very excited about the opportunity. I plan to be here for a while. We’ll be competitive, I’m very confident of that.”
Outlook: Dismal. There’s no kind way to say it. Priest River is in for a long year. The Spartans return one starter and everybody else is new to varsity. And their tallest player is 6-3. The Spartans open Friday against Mullan in the Silver Valley Tournament.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYERS TO WATCH Adam Hiatt, 6-0, senior, point guard/wing, Bonners Ferry Adam Miller, 5-11, senior, point guard, Moscow Brian Meeker, 6-3, senior, forward, Bonners Ferry Chris Weinmann, 6-5, senior, post, St. Maries Drew Owen, 6-7, senior, post, Moscow Paul Kowalczyk, 6-5, senior, post, Lakeland Ty Konkright, 6-0, senior, wing, St. Maries Allen Ashby, 6-6, senior, post, Bonners Ferry