Lake City wants to erase State woes

As predicted a year ago, the Lake City boys basketball team captured the 5A Inland Empire League championship and the Region I title.

And when the Timberwolves advanced to state, they expected to fare well. Two humbling losses later and Lake City was on the charter bus for Coeur d’Alene.

The Timberwolves want to redeem themselves – at least the season-ending part of their season a year ago. With three starters back, they’ve been picked to repeat as league champs.

As far as redeeming themselves, LC coach Jim Winger said there’s business to take care of well before such an opportunity presents itself.

“We were proud of getting to state. We were not proud of what they did at state,” Winger said. “I didn’t recognize my team there. We’re not harping on it. Our goals are to win league, win district and go to state. We can’t change what happened at state last year. If we play well all year we can get a chance to rectify it. But we’ve got to get there first.”

LC’s returning starters are seniors Kyle Guice, Justin Pratt and coach’s son, JJ Winger. He also has five other seniors with experience.

Seniors Chuckie Adams, Jacob Dahl and Tucker Louie-McGee are battling for starting jobs.

With that many seniors, Winger expects his team to show more maturity this year after the T-Wolves were 17-7 last season.

“We have to be more consistent,” Winger said. “We’re all back. I want us to be much more consistent through the season.”

The 6-foot-6 Guice, who led LC in scoring last season, will be roaming the perimeter more this year, Winger said.

Winger expects one of his team’s strengths to be defense.