North Star League

In predicted order of finish: LAKESIDE KNIGHTS

1994-95 record: 7-1 NSL, 12-12 overall, district champion

Coach: Ron Miller

Years coaching: 6

Career record: 91-62

Top returners: Margaret SiJohn, 5-7, junior, forward; Ruth Brand, 5-1, jr., guard; Jennifer Niebuhr, 5-7, sr., f; Harmony Hammond, 5-10, sophomore, center.

Newcomers: Alecia Hoffman, 5-7, jr., f; Amethyst Holton, 5-11, freshman, p; Angela Flint, 5-5, soph., g; Mindy Middleton, 5-6, soph., g-f; Shawna Campbell, 5-3, sr., g.

Bonus shot: Lakeside returns three starters, plus Hammond who started the latter portion of last season. The addition of Holton and Hoffman solidify the post position, which moves SiJohn away from the basket.

Coach’s comment:”I hope (SiJohn) realizes early what her role is. She’s definitely our best offensive player, and offensively she has to be there all the time.”

Outlook:Clark Fork should push Lakeside for the NSL title, Miller predicts. Falls Christian will be in the race simply because of veterans Sarah Peterson and Audrey Wallace. Lakeside opens the season Tuesday at home against North Idaho Christian.

CLARK FORK WAMPUS CATS

1994-95 record: 6-2, 11-11

Coach: Mark Stevens

Years coaching: 2

Career record: 11-11

Top returners: Hailey Scofield, 5-7, sr., f; Sasha Storaasli, 5-8, sr., f; Amy Longstreet, 5-4, sr., g.

Newcomers: Heidi Hager, 5-10, soph., c-f; Carla Haller, 5-8, jr., p; Erin Manderscheid, 5-6, soph., g.

Bonus shot: Slowing Scofield and Longstreet down might pose not only a challenge for opponents, but Stevens, as well. “Hailey is so aggressive, it’s somewhat of a problem for our younger kids. In the long run, it’s kinda good for them. Hailey is very helpful to them.”

Coach’s comment: “We’ve got a real tough schedule this year. It’s going to be tough to win a lot of those games, but it’s going to be good to get us ready for league.”

Outlook: Clark Fork resurrected its junior varsity program last season after a four-year lapse, and that extra playing time greatly benefited Haller, Hager and Manderscheid. Haller just finished the NSL football season and should be a rebounding force, Stevens said. The Wampus Cats open the season Monday against Kellogg in the Silver Valley Tournament at Mullan.

FALLS CHRISTIAN EAGLES

1994-95 record: 3-5, 6-13

Coach: Phyllis Tuttle

Years coaching: First at FCA

Career record: Not available

Top returners: Sarah Peterson, 5-8, sr., g; Audrey Wallace, 5-6, sr., f; Latisha Taylor, 5-foot, jr., g; Anna Pang, 5-7, jr., g.

Newcomers: Meghann Jenkins, 5-9, soph., c; Leisl Runkle, jr., g; April Coy, 5-10, soph., f.

Bonus shot: Tuttle returns to varsity coaching after a 15-year hiatus. “It’s fun, but it’s kinda scary. It’s not like starting all over again because the experience is there. You do feel like you have to prove yourself. The game has changed somewhat.”

Coach’s comment: One of those changes is the 3-point shot. The Eagles have a more-than-adept demonstrator in Peterson. “She’s coming back as strong as she ever was.”

Outlook: Quickness is an Eagles strength, although a transition offense may come later in the season. Tuttle has introduced two new offenses and a defense. “They’re picking it up very well. There’s a lot of freshmen. It’s a lot of teaching. Where I feel I’m at a disadvantage is I don’t know the opponents.” Falls Christian opens the season Nov. 16 in Moscow against Logos.

KOOTENAI WARRIORS

1994-95 record: 2-6, 6-11

Coach: Scott Shafer

Years coaching: First

Career record: None

Top returners: Jayme Flint, 5-8, sr., c; Heather Anderson, 5-6, sr., g; April Ausman, 5-6, sr., g; Danyel Hunter, 6-foot, jr., c; Lindsey Kraack, 5-7, jr., g; Nat Damiano, 5-5, soph., g.

Newcomers: Jamie Bornitz, 6-0, soph., p; Annie Goodson, 5-6, soph., f.

Bonus shot: Shafer shifts gears from football, and moves up from two years of coaching junior varsity girls basketball at Kootenai.

Coach’s comment: “You need a package; you need a team. We aren’t going to have one person that’s going to stick out. This is a team. We’re going to win as a team. One person can easily be shut down, but when you got five it’s tough.”

Outlook: The Warriors will have a new look, building around defense, rebounding and an up-tempo offense. Lakeside is the NSL team to beat, Shafer said. “(Knights coach Ron Miller’s) got a couple girls back that are very good athletes.” Kootenai opens the season Tuesday with Deary.

MULLAN TIGERS

1994-95 record: 2-6, 4-14

Coach: Sherry Leitz

Years coaching: 3

Career record: 5-32

Top returners: Kristina Elwood, 5-4, sr., g; Shasta Renteria, 5-4, sr., g; Katie Elwood, 5-7, soph., f; Trudi Flood, 5-5, jr., g.

Newcomers: Yvette Matt, 5-7, sr., g-f; Meredith Noordam, sr., 5-10, p; Cecily Pemble, 4-11, jr., g.

Bonus shot: Leitz’s system is no longer new, and neither are the players. Five varsity players return among a group of 15. “I told them a couple days ago, comparable to last year we’re ahead of where we were.”

Coach’s comment: “We have incredible teamwork and the attitudes are just great. That’s going to be a big factor for us - working as a team. We have speed. We don’t have a lot of height.”

Outlook: Mullan opens the season with rival Wallace at its own Silver Valley tournament on Monday. Look for the Tigers to pick up the pace after the holidays. “The league itself will be very competitive. Lakeside is going to be tough. Sarah Peterson from Falls Christian is a real tough one by herself. She’s an incredible ballplayer. She’ll be a person to watch.”

, DataTimes MEMO: See related story under the headline: Stockwell hopes stock will hold

This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYERS TO WATCH 1. Sarah Peterson, 5-foot-8, senior, guard, Falls Christian. 2. Hailey Scofield, 5-7, senior, forward, Clark Fork. 3. Margaret SiJohn, 5-7, junior, forward, Lakeside. 4. Amy Longstreet, 5-4, senior, guard, Clark Fork. 5. Jennifer Niebuhr, 5-7, senior, forward, Lakeside.