North Star League
In predicted order of finish
Lakeside Knights
1995-96 record: 8-0 NSL, 21-5 overall, state runner-up
Coach: Greg Stutzman
Years coaching, record: 5, 35-54
Top returners: Brendon Nelson, 6-foot-2, senior, forward; Glen Lambert, 5-10, sr., guard; James Twoteeth, 5-9, sr., g.
Newcomers: Andrew Twiss, 6-5, junior, post; Buck Allen, 5-10, jr., g; Sam Lozeau, 5-11, jr., f; Ken Pluff, 6-0, jr., g.
Bonus shot: Twiss came to Lakeside from Vancouver, Wash., when his parents were located in Plummer to do ministry work. He should provide an inside force that could make the Knights the team to beat in the state.
Coach’s comment: “I think we’re a better team than at any point last year, but we’ll have to play hard every game to beat teams.”
Outlook: State champs? This was the team to beat in the NSL before Twiss transferred, and now they are the team to beat in all of A-4. Last year, the Knights were able to play up-tempo and shoot with anyone. With an inside presence, they have a chance of running all opponents off the court. The Knights open Friday at home against Troy.
Mullan Tigers
1995-96 record: 6-2, 15-6
Coach: John Drager
Years coaching, record: 28, 419-183
Top returners: Dan Fritz, 6-1, sr., g; Al Sisk, 6-3, sr., p; Chris Angle, 6-4, sr., p.
Newcomers: Steve Greenfield, 6-1, jr., g; Eugene Chavez, 5-7, sr., g; Larry Hammerberg, 6-0, sr., g.
Bonus shot: This is Drager’s final year in basketball as well as football. His players would no doubt like to send him to state as almost all the same players were on the football team that was kept out of state by Lakeside.
Coach’s comment: “With two teams going to state this year, it should give the whole league a new attitude. I know this town (Mullan) is excited, and when a small school like us goes to state, they roll up the sidewalks and the whole town goes.”
Outlook: Clear sailing. The Tigers will be tough because of the three returning starters. Last year, they had one victory over essentially the same Lakeside team, but getting the second playoff berth is a more realistic goal than winning the NSL. The biggest question for Mullan is the lack of depth that comes with being the smallest school in the league. Mullan opens Friday against Priest River in the Silver Valley Tournament.
Clark Fork Wampus Cats
1995-96 record: 3-5, 9-11
Coach: Terry Marsh
Years coaching, record: 1st
Top returners: Jason Stevens, 6-4, sr., p; Brent Stevens, 5-9, jr., g; Ian Reuter, 6-0, sr., f.
Newcomers: Derrick Higgins, 6-1, sophomore, f; George Klontz, 5-10, soph. g, Adam Beers, 6-0, jr., g. Bonus shot: Marsh is going to have his team run a motion offense that is modeled after Bob Knight’s offense at Indiana University.
Coach’s comment: “We need to work on our fundamentals and learn to use screens effectively to get the new offense running well.”
Outlook: With a new coach, this is a team that should come on at the end of the season behind the leadership of Jason and Brent Stevens. The Wampus Cats have returning talent and a good mixture of quick players. Clark Fork opens Friday against the Lake City sophomore team.
Falls Christian Eagles
1995-96 record: 3-5, 9-11
Coach: Wes Davis
Years coaching, record: 4, 26-34
Top returners: Ben Larson, 6-1, sr., p/w; Drew Baker, 5-10, soph., g; Jared Bligh, 6-1, soph., f; Aaron Burns, 5-10, jr., g; Jeramy Gilbreath, 6-0, sr., w.
Newcomers: Aaron Mitson, 6-0, jr., p; Abe Staggs, 6-0, soph., g.
Bonus shot: The Eagles are the league’s sleeper team and have a legitimate shot at the second playoff berth with four players returning with starting experience.
Coach’s comment: “We’re trying to win the league and we need to be ready to beat Lakeside to do it. Even if we’re going to get the second playoff berth, we have to play at their level.”
Outlook: Promising. This is a young team that has some experience and will continue to improve throughout the next few years. The Eagles are small and will have to keep out of half-court games. Davis is positive about his team’s chances and Larson will have to provide leadership to prove his coach right. FCA opens Friday at Springdale, Wash.
Kootenai Warriors
1995-96 record: 0-8, 1-16
Coach: Mike Howland
Years coaching, record: 1st
Top returners: Randy Reinhofer, 6-5, jr., f; Dallas Possow, 6-7, jr., p; Joe Lamb, 6-0, sr., g; Tim Asman, 6-3, jr., f. Newcomers: Scott Johns, 5-8, soph., g; Chad Peterson, 6-4, sr., f; Jeremy Prickett, 6-1, jr., g; Jason Timpkin, 6-0, sr., g.
Bonus shot: This team is enormous and the combination of Reinhofer and Possow will cause problems for any team that allows Kootenai to slow the game.
Coach’s comment: “I like our size and aggressiveness, but we sometimes play out of control. We’ll continue to improve throughout the year, so if we win early, the league better look out.”
Outlook: Last but not least? It’s tough to put a team with this much size in last, but it goes to show that the NSL is very deep this season. If the fundamentals Howland is trying to put into place come quickly, the Warriors will be tough to beat. Kootenai opens Friday at Deary.
, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYERS TO WATCH Andrew Twiss, 6-foot-5, junior, post, Lakeside James Twoteeth, 5-9, senior, guard, Lakeside Glen Lambert, 5-10, senior, guard, Lakeside Jason Stevens, 6-4, senior, post, Clark Fork Chris Angle, 6-4, senior, post, Mullan Ben Larson, 6-1, senior, wing, Falls Christian Randy Reinhofer, 6-5, junior, forward, Kootenai