Kellogg’s Tradition Still Alive Wildcat Coach Says His Team Shouldn’t Be Underestimated In State A-2 Tournament

Your team graduates four starters, including the player of the year, off a team that placed third and fourth the past two years at the State A-2 boys basketball tournament.

You return three players who shared a starting job last season.

Your expectations? Return to state.

Kellogg has developed a tradition. It will be making its third straight trip to state and fourth in five years.

When Tony Kerfoot took over as head coach last year, he did so hoping to do one thing: Continue the winning ways.

Last year he was voted The Spokesman-Review’s All-North Idaho Coach of the Year for taking over a talent-rich team and returning it to state.

He should be a strong candidate for the honor again for taking a team that few gave a chance to qualify for state.

Kerfoot is quick to deflect praise.

“If you want a reason why we’re going to state, it’s because I’ve got great kids,” Kerfoot said. “I never scored a point and I never pulled down a rebound. They may not be flashy, they may not be super-talented, but they’re super, super kids.”

The Wildcats (15-8) open play today against District IV champ Jerome (14-8) in the nightcap at Meridian High School.

In other matchups, Moscow (17-3) takes on Preston (18-6), Sugar-Salem (15-7) meets top-ranked Bishop Kelly (21-1) and Snake River (20-2) squares off against Emmett (14-10).

Kellogg had a better opportunity to challenge for a state title last year. What about this week?

There may be just one person not counting out the Wildcats.

Their coach.

“We definitely have to be a longshot underdog, but don’t count us out,” Kerfoot said.

The three players who shared a starting job last season have started this year: Nathan Corkill, Mike Mercado and Brian Carlson.

Corkill leads a balanced scoring effort with 12.6 points per game. Combined, the trio averages 30 per game.

Kellogg has averaged 15 points fewer per game this season compared with last year. Defense, especially late in the season, has carried the Wildcats.

“Nobody is going to give us 20 a night, but it could be any of six that pop off on a night,” Kerfoot said.

Kellogg will be looking at itself in a mirror when it meets Jerome.

“They’re not an overpowering team. They have to hustle and scrap like we do,” Kerfoot said. “It should be a heckuva ballgame because we’re pretty similar.”

Jerome coach Brent Clark scouted Kellogg’s final two district games.

That doesn’t concern Kerfoot, who coached against Clark while at Mountain Home.

“Both teams know what to prepare for, and I like opening against a familiar opponent,” Kerfoot said.

The strength of Jerome’s schedule is questionable. The Tigers lost by 14 points at Bishop Kelly in a season opener and redeemed themselves in an 11-point victory at home. It was BK’s lone loss of the season.

In its district, though, Jerome hasn’t exactly been pushed. Jerome had to beat Buhl (8-12) and Wood River (0-20) to advance to state.

Moscow, Bishop Kelly and Snake River are the teams considered to have the best chances of capturing state titles.

Moscow lost to Bear Lake in the state final last year. The Bears are led by senior Adam Miller, who has to be one of the best point guards in the state.

Moscow’s strength, though, is defense. If the Bears go home with a state championship it’ll be because of defense.

Kerfoot said the other teams shouldn’t be overlooked.

“Last year Bishop Kelly came in undefeated and went home 0-2,” Kerfoot said. “We believe we can win our first-round game. Anything can happen.”

, DataTimes