Border League
In predicted order of finish:
Coeur d’Alene Vikings
1998-99 records: 21-7 (3rd at state), 14-4 league (co-champs)
Coach: Bill Pratt
Years coaching, record: 3rd, 29-22
Top returners: Shaylia Davis, senior, 6-0, post; Patti Stranger, sr., 5-2, point guard; Brittany Douglas, sr., 5-11, p; Kari Lenz, sr., 5-6, wing; Dani Bielec, junior, 5-5, g; Katie Roetter, sr., 5-5, g; Cassandra Vig, sr., 5-2, g; Whytnie Budvarson, 6-0, sr., p.
Top newcomers: Megan Baracco, sr., 5-8, forward; Erica Hauck, sophomore, 5-9, w.
Bonus shot: Bielec, who’s counted on to be a big contributor, is recovering from knee surgery from an injury suffered during the summer. She may be released to begin practicing after Thanksgiving and could be back as early as the first week in December.
Coach’s comments: “Our biggest problem right now is we’re turning the ball over too much. With the experience we have that shouldn’t be the case. Right now, we’re not the same team as last year. We can be there, but we’re not playing at that level.”
Outlook: Not to worry. The Vikings won the regional title and are favored to repeat. But it will be a battle royal. Moscow, Post Falls and Lake City will give CdA all it can handle.
Moscow Bears
1998-99 records: 22-7 (2nd at state), 14-4 (co-champs)
Coach: Sam Hoogsteen
Years coaching, record: 2nd, 22-7
Top returners: Courtney Goetz, sr., 6-1, p; Kim Hawley, sr., 5-8, f; Brenda Robinson, jr., 5-8, g; Andrea Sorbel, sr., 5-9, f; Britanni Bisbee, jr., 5-6, g; Kaci Thol, soph., 5-6, g; Jennifer LeFors, jr., 5-7, g/w; Jessica Vasquez, jr., 5-6, g.
Top newcomer: Stephanie Thornton, sr., 5-7, g/w.
Bonus shot: Hoogsteen’s players defend opponents so tight (read physical) they can tell the coach the flavor of gum their foes are chewing.
Coach’s comments: “We take a lot of pride in our man-to-man. We have more speed and could be a better defensive team than last year.”
Outlook: If the Bears match or exceed their defensive intensity of last year, opponents will have problems. If Moscow allows more than 40 points it’s deemed a poor defensive effort. The Bears’ second-place finish at state last year was no fluke.
Post Falls Trojans
1998-99 records: 16-7, 13-5
Coach: Chris Johnson
Years coaching, record: 6th, 70-53
Top returners: Desiree Johnson, jr., 6-0, p; Carmi Eberle, sr., 5-3, pg; Shawna Foster, soph., 5-9, w; Jenalee Roberge, jr., 5-10, p; Kristen Olson, sr., 5-11, p; Cindy Holland, sr., 5-9, w.
Top newcomers: Aubree Johnson, freshman, 6-1, g; Callie Stockwell, soph., 5-8, w; Maurissa Young, jr., 5-9, w.
Bonus shot: Last year, Johnson needed a lot of Johnson & Johnson products for a team besieged by injuries. This year, he hopes it’s the Johnson & Johnson Show.
Coach’s comments: “We have incredible speed. The skill level as a team is greatly improved.”
Outlook: The Trojans could finish as high as first or as low as fourth. Much depends on how the experience blends with the youth. The Sisters Johnson could be an entertaining tandem to watch.
Lake City Timberwolves
1998-99 records: 13-9, 12-6
Coach: Darren Taylor
Years coaching, record: 1st
Top returners: Cassie Bro, sr., 5-10, w; Megan Carpenter, sr., 5-5, pg; Kristin Chamberlin, sr., 5-9, w; Erin Colwell, sr., 5-10, p; Amber Hanson, sr., 5-9, g; Brandi Brumley, sr., 5-5, g.
Top newcomers: Carly Smith, sr., 5-5, g; Ashley Cook, jr., 5-10, p; Kaitlin Mitchell, fr., 5-5, g.
Bonus shot: If the Timberwolves mimic their new coach’s personality, they’ll have plenty of floor burns, bruises and assorted scrapes to show for their hustle.
Coach’s comments: “I know we can play with anybody. They’re diving into the stands and all over the court. If we can maintain that - win or lose - you can’t ask for more.”
Outlook: Beyond Bro, the T-Wolves may not have a lot of offensive threats. But a team doesn’t need a set play to turn a steal into a breakaway layup. LC will be all over the court for 32 minutes, and that type of intensity takes teams deep into a season.
West Valley Eagles
1998-99 records: 4-19, 3-17
Coach: Mark Kuipers
Years coaching, record: 7th, 71-69
Top returners: Vanessa Parvey, sr., 5-10, p; Amanda Holstrum, jr., 5-7, w; Becca Cortez, sr., 6-0, p; Shannon Groh, jr., 5-7, w; Chelsea Thomas, jr., 5-9, w; Becky Nowaski, jr., 5-5, pg; Trisha Wieber, sr., 5-7, w; Shannon Erdahl, jr., 5-6, g; Tayler Knapp, jr., 6-0, p; Monica Hilsabeck, jr., 5-4, g.
Top newcomers: None identified.
Bonus shot: Kuipers didn’t graduate anybody. Hence no names next to the top newcomers category. The best of his returning lot are the juniors.
Coach’s comments: “Physically we’re not the biggest or most athletic, but we’re a close-knit group.”
Outlook: Kuipers is excited about the potential - especially after his team finished the season strong last year. The Eagles aren’t ready to knock off the big girls on the block, but don’t have to duck through alleys to avoid them, either.
Cheney Blackhawks
1998-99 records: 19-11 (7th at state), 11-7
Coach: Marty Jessett
Years coaching, record: 9th, 154-57
Top returners: Meghan Conrath, sr., 5-8, w; KDee Anderson, sr., 5-6, pg; Charisse Oyolokor, sr., 5-11, p; Julie Marsh, soph., 5-11, p; Lani McLauchlin, sr., 5-8, w; Melissa Schade, sr., 5-11, p; Brittney Van Matre, soph., 5-8, w.
Top newcomer: Jaden Callahan, sr., 5-11, p.
Bonus shot: The Blackhawks don’t have a perimeter shooter like an Anna Getz or Kara Weitman, but they’re not significantly weak at any position, either.
Coach’s comments: “We don’t have anybody who stands out head-and-shoulders above anybody else. We have good balance.”
Outlook: Cheney and West Valley will battle for top honors among Frontier teams. Playing in the Border will season the Blackhawks for district action.
Lewiston Bengals
1998-99 records: 10-14, 8-10
Coach: Pat Zink
Years coaching, record: 8th, 77-56
Top returners: Camas Weaver, sr., 5-8, w; Mary Beth Spencer, sr., 5-11, p; Jessie Mattoon, jr., 6-0, p; Jenelle Andrews, sr., 5-6, pg.
Top newcomers: Heidi Schacher, soph., 5-2, pg; Cami Kalbfleisch, soph., 5-11, g; Heidi Oakes, soph., 5-8, g; Danielle Rainville, 5-10, jr., p.
Bonus shot: Zink has four sophomores, and he didn’t keep them to sit on the bench.
Coach’s comments: “We’re going to play hard and be competitive. But I have no clue in terms of wins and losses. We’re not going to fool anybody.”
Outlook: The Bengals are a year away. Middle-of-the-pack finish realistic.
Sandpoint Bulldogs
1998-99 records: 6-17, 4-14
Coach: Margaret Williams
Years coaching, record: 2nd, 6-17
Top returners: Lindsay Larson, sr., 5-9, w/g; Jennifer Pratt, jr., 5-9, p.
Top newcomers: Katie Brown, fresh., 5-7, pg/w; Beth Lane, fresh., 5-8, w/f; Stacy Rinaldi, jr., 5-10, p; Julie Jacobson, sr., 5-8, g; Tonia Kritzeck, sr., 5-8, g/w; Abby Vanhorn, sr., 5-6, g.
Bonus shot: The basketball program lost another player to club volleyball when returning starting post Jennie James didn’t turn out.
Coach’s comments: “We don’t have a lot of experience and size so we’ll have matchup problems down low, but they’re picking up stuff real quickly and they’re real aggressive.”
Outlook: The Bulldogs return just one starter (Larson) and one part-time player (Pratt), but the future looks bright among the freshmen and junior high classes. Sandpoint must endure another difficult season though.
Colville Indians
1998-99 record: 11-15
Coach: John Foulkes
Years coaching, record: 7th, 1st at Colville, 98-26
Top returners: Ellen Shaw, sr., 5-5, pg; Katie Fondell, sr., 5-9, f; Stacey McConnell, sr., 5-9, f; Lacee Sinn, sr., 5-3, g; Katie Kroiss, sr., 5-4, g.
Top newcomer: Shannon McGrane, jr., 5-9, g.
Bonus shot: Foulkes has an impressive resume. He’s two wins from the 100 milestone, and he was the head coach at Ritzville when it won the State B title in 1997.
Coach’s comments: “We’re going to be fairly inexperienced for 15 games. We might struggle mightily against the Idaho schools, but I think we’ll compete.”
Outlook: The transition from the 2A ranks to 3A for the Indians may be difficult initially, but by season’s end Colville may be poised to push Cheney and West Valley.
Clarkston Bantams
1998-99 records: 2-20, 2-16
Coach: Len Kelly
Years coaching: 12th
Top returners: Ellen Smith, jr., 5-8, g; Hailey Jones, sr., 5-8, g; Layne Pavey, jr., 5-8, f; Rikki King, jr., 5-4, g.
Top newcomer: Chelsie Atkinson, fresh., 6-0, p.
Bonus shot: Clarkston enjoyed its best turnout in recent years.
Coach’s comments: “Our talent level is better. I see things getting better for us.”
Outlook: The Bantams don’t have a lock on the cellar. They could finish as many as two spots higher. But they have much room for improvement.
Players to watch Shaylia Davis, senior, 6-foot, post, Coeur d’Alene Cassie Bro, senior, 5-10, wing, Lake City Desiree Johnson, junior, 6-0, post, Post Falls Courtney Goetz, senior, 6-1, post, Moscow Amanda Hulstrom, junior, 5-7, wing, West Valley Carmi Eberle, senior, 5-3, point guard, Post Falls Patti Stranger, senior, 5-2, point guard, Coeur d’Alene Meghan Conrath, senior, 5-8, wing, Cheney