Border League Basketball

In predicted order of finish

Cheney Blackhawks

1996-97 record: 19-9

Coach: Denny Humphrey

Years coaching, record: 29th, 17th at Cheney, 480-228

Top returners: Paul Malisani, 6-4, senior, forward; Pat Stiffler, 5-8, sr., guard; Tim Donnelly, 6-3, sr., f.

Newcomers: James Kiger, 6-3, sr., w/f; Chris Bond, 6-4, sophomore, f; Joe Goetz, 6-0, sr., g; Darian Ervin, 6-2, sr., g; Brian Eggart, 5-6, sr., g; Mike Caskey, 6-2, sr., f; Chris Oyolokor, 6-1, sr., g; Charley Berryhill, 6-3, soph., f.

Bonus shot: Humphrey’s teams have gone 268-146 and won eight Frontier League titles. Cheney finished second in the Washington AA state tournament last year.

Coach’s comment: “We have some rangy kids to play defense and have some depth on the bench. We could have a fine year if we get our mixture of kids to come together.”

Outlook: Based on past successes, the return of all-stater Malisani and Stiffler from the state runners-up and addition of Kiger from State B runner-up Reardan, the Blackhawks look tough. Open tonight at Shadle Park.

Coeur d’Alene Vikings

1996-97 record: 15-10

Coach: Larry Bieber

Years coaching, record: 4th, 26-41

Top returners: Lukas O’Dowd, 6-6, sr., wing/post; Casey Hoorelbeke, 6-6, sr., p; Jim Rupp, 5-9, sr., point guard; David Wood, 6-2, sr., w; Kurt Sigler, 6-4, sr., p.

Newcomers: Buddy Fetzer, 5-10, sr., g; David Mellick, 6-1, sr., w/p; Kevin DeArmond, 6-5, sr., p.

Bonus shot: Former CdA standout Kurt Lundblad has joined Bieber’s staff as junior varsity coach. CdA has best chance to qualify for state for first time since 1993-94.

Coach’s comment: “I think we’ll have pretty good depth, but it’s still untested. The potential is there. Our biggest strength (size) can also be our weakness because teams are going to pressure us. Our goal is to get to state. We missed it by three points last year.”

Outlook: The Viks could have the top starting five in the league, but after that the proven talent drops off drastically. The bench must develop quickly or Viks will have difficult time earning top seed and host rights to the state-qualifying tournament. The Viks will be vulnerable to full-court pressure. CdA opens at home Friday against Boise-area favorite Boise.

West Valley Eagles

1996-97 record: 15-9

Coach: Joe Feist

Years coaching, record: 11, 203-73

Top returners: Brad Groh, 6-3, jr., f; Eric Deno, 5-10, jr., g.

Newcomers: Ryan Spivey, 6-2, jr., f; Chris Sorensen, 6-3, jr., f; Kevin Lybarger, 6-3, jr., f; Sergio Allen, 6-2, jr., g; Kris Sly, 5-9, soph., g; Tony Kopp, 5-9, jr., g.

Bonus shot: Last year was the first in seven seasons that the Eagles didn’t win the Frontier League championship, but they were a free throw away from qualifying for state in a league that produced two AA semifinalists.

Coach’s comment: “I think we’re long on enthusiasm and short on experience. We’re fairly skilled and have depth. It’s a solid group of players, just young.”

Outlook: The Eagles don’t have a senior in their lineup, but with eight league championships during Feist’s 11-year tenure, don’t count them out. West Valley opens Friday at Shadle Park.

Lake City Timberwolves

1996-97 record: 11-13

Coach: Jim Winger

Years coaching, record: 6th, 77-47

Top returners: Gabe Hern, 6-2, sr., w; Chad Cheeley, 6-0, sr., guard; J.J. Barlow, 6-2, jr., w; Justin Nipp, 6-4, jr., p; Sam Stroh, 6-2, jr., w.

Newcomers: Jacob Lenz, 5-8, sophomore, pg; Petra Thiringer, 6- 4, sr., p; Dave Everson, 6-1, sr., w.

Bonus shot: LC has funky new home-and-away uniforms, with stripes representing speed or movement. That’s appropriate considering the T-Wolves will constantly be on the move. They will try to create tempo to their liking with full-court pressure.

Coach’s comment: “The thing about this team is the five most obviously talented players won’t be on the floor all the time. We’ll throw a lot of different combinations out there. We have to be improved defensively if we want to do things. Eleven wins was good last year with this team, but it won’t be good enough this year.”

Outlook: LC returns the most balance top to bottom of all Idaho teams. Nipp should be one of most improved players in the league. Hern and Cheeley finished as second- and third-leading scorers in the league last year. If LC can get about 22 points out of other starters and modest contributions from the bench LC will light up scoreboard. If CdA stumbles it could challenge. T-Wolves open Friday at home against Nampa.

Sandpoint Bulldogs

1996-97 record: 7-14

Coach: Tyler Haynes

Years coaching, record: 1st

Top returners: Caleb Bowman, 6-2, sr., g; Stefon Kleinert, 6-6, sr., p; Paul Nieman, 6-2, jr., w; John Gehring, 6-4, sr., f.

Newcomers: Scott Evans, 6-0, soph., pg; David Rust, 6-2, sr., p; Adrian Menard, 6-4, jr., f; Jevon Watson, 6-4, jr., g.

Bonus shot: It’s been 20 years since a Sandpoint team went to state. Haynes wants to end the drought this year. Every other team in the league has been to state at least two times and a couple several times in same span.

Coach’s comment: “I like our diversity. We can play a number of different styles. We can take it inside and we have a strong perimeter team. We’re pretty well-rounded and athletic.”

Outlook: Much potential and very athletic. The Bulldogs will push CdA and LC. Consider them a dark horse. Haynes steps into a good situation with several experienced players. The success of state championship football team could rub off on the basketball players. Bowman decided to turn out five days into practice. Teams would be wise not to overlook Sandpoint. Bulldogs opened Tuesday with 64-51 win over Bonners Ferry.

Lewiston Bengals

1996-97: 9-13

Coach: Dick Richel

Years coaching, record: 17th, 125-83

Top returners: Carson Egland, 6-8, sr., p; Steve Johnson, 6-4, sr., w; Sennett Pierce, 6-1, sr., w; Jason Eck, 6-3, jr., w.

Newcomers: Jack Maurer, 5-8, sr., g; Chris Reineke, 6-2, sr., p; Carl Holmes, 6-0, jr., g; Ryan Klamper, 6-3, soph., w.

Bonus shot: The past two years have tried Richel’s patience and he wants to get team back to where it’s competitive for a state berth. The Bengals will be much more uptempo than Richel’s usually methodical teams.

Coach’s comment: “I don’t know if we’ll have enough to compete for a championship, but we’ll be very competitive. We’ll have some success. We have a balanced team. I like this group a lot.”

Outlook: This will be Lewiston’s best team since 1993, the last time a Lewiston team qualified for state. How good, though, remains to be seen. Egland will be a force. Lewiston opened with 65-50 win at Moscow on Tuesday.

Clarkston Bantams

1996-97 record: 16-7

Coach: Tim Winter

Years coaching, record: 1st

Top returners: Nick Olson, 6-3, sr., f; Sam Nielson, 6-0, sr., g.

Newcomers: D.J. Norland, 6-3, sr., f; Will Smith, 6-0, sr., g; Zach Blankinship, 5-10, sr., g; Brian Tucker, 6-0, sr., g; Josh Fuchs, 5-10, sr., f; Rodney Harrington, 6-4, jr., f; Nathan Cummings, 6-1, jr., g; Brandon Cridlebaugh, 6-2, jr., f.

Bonus shot: Winter becomes Clarkston’s head coach after assisting previously at Olympia High School. He’s a 1990 graduate of Eastern Washington University.

Coach’s comment: “It will be an exciting year with a league full of quality teams. We hope to be right in the mix.”

Outlook: Virtually the entire Bantam team this year comes from their junior varsity. Joined by a new coach this is probably the league’s mystery team. Clarkston opens at home Friday against Pullman.

Post Falls Trojans

1996-97 record: 22-4 (fourth at state)

Coach: Wade Quesnell

Years coaching, record: 2nd, first year back in second stint, 7-15

Top returners: Chad Quesnell, 5-9, sr., pg; Adam Fehling, 6-1, sr., w.

Newcomers: Cameron Christiansen, 5-9, sr., g; Nick Meeks, 5-9, sr., g; Ryan Therrian, 6-1, sr., w; Josh Miller, 6-0, sr., w; Scott McArthur, 6-3, sr., p.

Bonus shot: Quesnell is glad to be back in charge, but he’s facing a season similar to his first. Trojans won’t go down without a fight.

Coach’s comment: “I’m sure we’re starting at the bottom looking up. We have to stay out of a half-court game. If the ball crosses midcourt we’re going to be in trouble. Hopefully by midseason we can be competitive. They will get better through the season.”

Outlook: Quesnell should get much mileage out of the predicted order of finish. That’ll last for a game or two before reality sets in. The Trojans must make up for some glaring deficiencies. One thing is for certain: The Trojans won’t roll over for any team. That reflects the personality of their coach. Trojans open at home tonight against University.

East Valley Knights

1996-97 record: 2-18

Coach: Rich King

Years coaching, record: 10, 4 at EV; 87-125

Top returners: Mitch Johnson, 5-9, sr., g; John Shogren, 6-1, sr., f.

Newcomers: Andrew Burgess, 6-2, soph., w/p; Blake Horgan, 6-0, soph., p; Mike Sterling, 6-1, sr., g; Adam Sitton, 6-0, jr., g; Steve Henderson, 5-9, jr., g; Jesse Quirk, 6-3, jr., p; Dan Pooley, 6-3, jr., p; Jeff Storey, 6-3, jr., p.

Bonus shot: King coached an uptempo style with success in California, but it didn’t work in three years at EV. This year look for a control game by the young Knights.

Coach’s comment: “I think we’ll be competitive. The kids have high aspirations. They will fight and play hard and hopefully things will go our way this year.”

Outlook: The Knights have little basketball tradition, having gone 8-42 the last three years. But with a turnout of 91 players in four grades, King is hoping to turn things around. East Valley opens at Rogers.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: Cut in Spokane edition

This sidebar appeared with the story: PLAYERS TO WATCH Lukas O’Dowd, 6-6, senior, wing/post, Coeur d’Alene Gabe Hern, 6-2, senior, wing, Lake City Chad Quesnell, 5-9, senior, point guard, Post Falls Paul Malisani, 6-4, senior, forward, Cheney Brad Groh, 6-3, junior, forward, West Valley Chad Cheeley, 6-0, senior, guard, Lake City Stefon Kleinert, 6-6, senior, post, Sandpoint Carson Egland, 6-8, senior, post, Lewiston