Realignment Helps Freeman; Vc Should Contend

If ever there were a year for Freeman and Valley Christian to qualify for their respective state tournaments, this is it.

The Scotties, who compete in the Northeast A League, will profit from the new state classification.

“Overall the reclassification was the only move to make,” said Scotties coach Mike Thacker. “It’s ridiculous to compete against someone twice your size. We’re now playing teams somewhat equivalent.”

Valley Christian has the talent to contend for a Bi-County League championship.

“We better be a contender,” said second-year Panthers coach Steve Altmeyer. “We are a better team than last year. We know that.”

Combined, the two teams have a 9-2 early season record. Valley Christian’s lone loss was 56-53 to Freeman.

“In my mind it was a shooting-type thing,” said Thacker. “They shot poorly at the freethrow line and it allowed us to win.”

Similarly, Freeman’s loss to St. John-Endicott was the product of 29 percent shooting by a team that was averaging better than 44 percent going in.

“When you don’t shoot very well, coupled with playing in a foreign environment, that’s what you end up with,” said Thacker.

Freeman will play a double-round robin NEA schedule with Colfax, Kettle Falls and Reardan and double-elimination district playoff to qualify for state.

Valley Christian began Bi-County play last week with the first of a dozen league contests, winning 82-54 over Sprague-Harrington.

Freeman has size experience

The Scotties have all the ingredients to make a run at a Northeast A League title.

Five seniors return from last year, four of whom played substantially. The team has size, three players standing 6-foot-5. And, said Thacker, guard play is strong.

“This is the best team, probably, since I’ve been here,” he said. “We have all the pieces.”

Veterans Matt Miller, Steve Simmons, D.J. Goldsmith and Josh White gained the most playing time. Fifth senior is Jared Freeman.

His younger kids, however, will challenge.

Ryan Snyder, his cousin Simeon Snyder and Jared Pope provide the size. Three guards are Jordan Shkuratoff (pronounced Scrat-off), Chris Miller and Ryan Love. The team will test itself with five non-league games against 2A Great Northern League schools before opening play in January.

Nearly everyone back for Panthers

Bi-County foes will receive no surprises when they see Valley Christian’s lineup.

Most of last year’s team is back, including seniors Brian Sears, Michael Spuler, Derek Sandin and Chad Meyer.

Sophomores Jared Evans, Jeremy Decker and Eric Smith also played varsity.

“We’re depending upon senior leadership,” said Altmeyer. “There are some good players there.”

Joining the team is a freshman, Brent Decker.

“He will surprise people,” Altmeyer said. “He can shoot.”

Indeed, the ninth grader led scoring with 20 against Sprague-Harrington.

Last year Valley Christian was a basket away from its first-ever state appearance.

“Our district finished first, second, fourth and sixth at state,” said Altmeyer. “Maybe we belonged there, too.”

The Panthers and Reardan were to be this year’s favorites, but Reardan was reclassified A leaving Valley Christian to bear the burden alone.

“Being favored on paper doesn’t mean anything,” said Altmeyer. “But the kids have a vision of being there and if they stay focused it will take care of itself.”

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