Memorable Season Hands Lc’s Russell Top Player Honor

The recently completed boys basketball season in the Panhandle was easily one of the most enjoyable to chronicle in the past decade.

No area team won a state title, but there were a handful of teams that contended for championships.

So here are my season-ending awards, league by league, as coaches put basketballs and uniforms away until mid-November.

I can hardly wait for next year.

Inland Empire

The most valuable player, to me, was an easy pick. All candidates for the honor had up-and-down moments during the season, but Lake City senior post Brian Russell had more ups than the others.

It was quite a year for Russell, really. He fought through an ugly and unnecessary battle for eligibility last fall, had to shake off a lower-back injury in football at the start of the basketball season, and just when he was starting to play well, he spent Christmas vacation in New York with relatives he hadn’t seen in years.

Upon returning, Russell started to play exceptionally well again - just before he broke two bones in his left hand.

He played his best ball with a broken hand.

Most improved player honor goes to Post Falls senior wing Mike McLean. Affectionately nicknamed “Mr. Garbage,” McLean was always around the basket and somehow found a way to score at 6-foot-1 despite playing against taller and wider players.

Rookie of the year goes to Lake City junior Scott Hoover. He may very well have been the best player in the league at season’s end. He has a bright future.

Coach of the year goes to Post Falls’ Scott Moore, with Lake City coach Jim Winger a close second. Moore carried a weighty burden all season, and that was lifted when the Trojans qualified for state. How weighty was the pressure? It says here Moore might have been out had the Trojans not gone to state. He did a fine job throughout a difficult year.

Therefore, Post Falls earns team of the year honor. It captured the league title in a game at Lewiston - a huge feat by Post Falls.

Intermountain

Kellogg and Bonners Ferry gave A-2 fans many lasting memories this year.

MVP goes to Kellogg senior point guard Travis Fulton. Sure, Kyle York carried Priest River on his shoulders, but Fulton carried an even heavier load - and that was to get the Wildcats back to state after a disappointing district collapse last year.

MIP goes to Kellogg junior post Casey Fisher, who showed at state that he can do anything - shoot the 3-pointer, drive and post up with uncanny athleticism for player with a 6-6 frame.

Rookie of the year is an award usually given to an underclassman with promising potential. But there were three seniors whose contributions couldn’t go unnoticed. We divide the honor among Bonners Ferry’s Gavin Glindeman (transfer from East Valley) and Brian Stewart, and Kellogg’s Derek Jennings.

Coach of the year is split between Kellogg’s David Roberts and Priest River rookie and former Coeur d’Alene guard Kelly Reed.

Team of the year is Kellogg, based on its three wins over Bonners Ferry.

North Star League

MVP here is an easy pick. Put Falls Christian senior guard Josh Erk on any team, and he carries said team. Erk turned rough sophomore and junior years around to have a great final prep season - but, more importantly, he became a better citizen.

MIP goes to Clark Fork senior Mike Gow. Rookie of the year is Falls Christian junior Jared Horton, who improved leaps and bounds after a shaky start. The good news for FCA is the 6-6 (and still growing) post will be back.

Team of the year goes to Clark Fork. Under coach Bird Nietmann, the Wampus Cats clawed to a respectable third-place showing at state. Nietmann is coach of the year.