Idaho’s Border League Teams

In predicted order of finish among Idaho’s Border League teams:

Lake City Timberwolves

1996-97 record: 7-1 (co-league champ), 22-4 (second at state)

Coach: Dave Stockwell

Years coaching, record: 3rd, 36-13

Top returners: Lindsay Herbert, 6-foot, senior, guard; Alison Asher, 6-4, sr., post; Laura Dodge, 5-11, junior, wing/p; Kelley McCabe, 5-10, sr., w/p; Katie Hawn, 5-9, sr., w/g; Marni Hayes, 5-9, jr., w.

Newcomers: Kelli Kendrick, 5-9, sr., w; Kellie Stern, 5-10, jr., p; Cassie Bro, 5-9, sophomore, forward.

Bonus shot: LC has no players shorter than 5-9. Most of the T-Wolves will appear to be the same height as seven players range from 5-9 to 5-11. Even with its height, LC plans to press the whole game.

Coach’s comment: “I don’t think we’ve had as many kids with as much inside and outside potential as we have this year. I handcuffed them with all of our set plays. We’re going to be a little more free-lance. When that breaks down we’ll go to a set play.”

Outlook: With the pressure of college recruiting over, Stockwell expects Herbert (Utah) and Asher (Portland) to have big seasons. With transfers in Kendrick (Gonzaga Prep) and Stern (CdA), LC will have deep lineup. LC will go with a two-guard front featuring Herbert and Kendrick. Anything less than a state title would be disappointing for T-Wolves. LC opens Friday at Borah.

Post Falls Trojans

1996-97 record: 4-4, 14-11

Coach: Chris Johnson

Years coaching, record: 4th, 35-37

Top returners: Janelle Ruen, 5-11, jr., w; Jennifer Swanstrom, 5-6, sr., g; Megan Billetz, 5-6, jr., g; Katelynn Brown, 5-6, jr., g; Rachel Edmonds, 5-7, sr., g; Angie Foster, 5-7, jr., f.

Newcomers: Carmi Eberle, 5-2, soph., point guard; Desiree Johnson, 6-0, freshman, p; Cindy Holland, 5-8, soph., f; Shandy Mills, 5-7, sr., w.

Bonus shot: At times, the Trojans could have five guards in the lineup. In fact, nine of the 10 Trojans could have the position “guard” next to their names on the roster.

Coach’s comment: “We have as much room to improve as anybody. The last few years we’ve peaked about (regional) tournament time. That’s the way we’ll approach it this year too. I’ve been looking forward to coaching this group for quite some time.”

Outlook: Expect the Trojans to try to make up for their lack of height with all-court pressure. As of Wednesday, Ruen had yet to practice. She’s still recovering from an ankle sprain that occurred six weeks ago in volleyball. Johnson is optimistic that Ruen will be ready by the season opener Nov. 21 at home against Lakeland. Second is wide open, and the Trojans could end up winning what should be a battle for second place.

Coeur d’Alene Vikings

1996-97 record: 2-6, 7-16

Coach: Bill Pratt

Years coaching, record: first as girls head coach; seven years as boys head coach in California

Top returners: Katie Shirley, 6-0, soph., p; Shaylia Davis, 6-0, soph., p; Patty Stranger, 5-2, soph., pg; Katelyn Tatum, 5-10, sr., f.

Newcomers: Krissi Ruiz, 5-10, jr., w; Melissa Allowatt, 5-10, jr., f; Kari Lenz, 5-5, soph., g; Katie Roetter, 5-5, soph., g.

Bonus shot: Pratt may be a new coach at CdA, but he is familiar with many of the Viks. He coached them as eighth-graders at Canfield Middle School.

Coach’s comment: “We’ve got a long ways to go. The kids are having to learn a new system. We’re having to do a lot of teaching. We’ve got to be patient.”

Outlook: Janee Andre, a starter as a freshman last year, decided not to turn out. The Viks lost another starter when Kellie Stern transferred to LC. But the Viks got talented transfer Ruiz from Priest River. She will have a big impact on young team. The Viks have plenty of athletes and start promising players at every position. If things blend well the Viks will challenge Post Falls. CdA opens Friday at Boise.

Lewiston Bengals

1996-97 record: 7-1 (co-league champ), 18-3

Coach: Pat Zink

Years coaching, record: 5th, 57-29

Top returners: Lorien Albright, 5-9, sr., g; Kim Wegner, 6-0, sr., p; Becky Roberts, 5-4, sr., pg.

Newcomers: Rachel Scharnhorst, 5-5, sr., pg; Michelle Bausch, 5-10, sr., p; Jessica Presnell, 5-8, sr., f.

Bonus shot: Lewiston graduated seven of its top nine players. Five are playing in college. The Bengals, deep at the post last year, will be thin there but deep at guard this season.

Coach’s comment: “It’s going to be fun because the challenge is different than the past two years. I’ve got to develop a completely new team.”

Outlook: Bengals graduated core of team that Zink had for three years. Lewiston was the best team in Idaho not to qualify for state last year. Zink will look to Albright, his lone returning starter, and Wegner, the team’s fourth-leading scorer off the bench last year, for leadership. Lewiston won’t be as young as Post Falls or CdA, but it will make its share of mistakes early. Lewiston opens Nov. 18 at Moscow.

Sandpoint Bulldogs

1996-97 record: 0-8, 2-18

Coach: Duane Ward

Years coaching, record: 12th, 3rd as girls coach, 106-145

Top returners: Natalie Ward, 5-7, sr., wing; Tarrah Allmaras, 5- 4, jr., pg; Bobbi Jo Jensen, 5-8, sr., p; Chrissy Ross, 5-7, jr., g/w; Jill Verby, 5-8, jr., g/w; Jenny Bymaster, 5-7, sr., w; Natasha Cargill, 5-8, sr., p.

Newcomers: Anna Snedden, 5-7, jr., pg; Devon Kaplan, 5-6, jr., g/w; Jennie James, 6-0, soph., p; Katrina Sanders, 5-11, jr., p.

Bonus shot: Ward said his program is getting closer to closing the gap in talent from class to class that was glaring when talent-laden Class of 1996, led by Alli Nieman, graduated. He has promising players on the freshmen and junior varsity teams.

Coach’s comment: “We’ve improved in our ability to run the court and our shooting has improved. Right now we’re probably ahead of where we ended last year. There are a lot of ifs involved, but I like our chances.” Outlook: Sandpoint could jump out of the basement and finish as high as third. Of the seven returning players, three started last year (Ward, Allmaras and Jensen) and two others started part-time (Ross and Verby). How much improved the Bulldogs are over last year remains to be seen. Sandpoint opens Friday at home against Bonners Ferry.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch Lindsay Herbert, 6-foot, senior, guard, Lake City Alison Asher, 6-4, senior, post, Lake City Janelle Ruen, 5-11, junior, wing, Post Falls Krissi Ruiz, 5-10, junior, wing, Coeur d’Alene Natalie Ward, 5-7, senior, wing, Sandpoint Katie Shirley, 6-0, sophomore, post, Coeur d’Alene Laura Dodge, 5-11, junior, wing/post, Lake City