Ready For Return Clark Fork Back At State A-4 Tourney Older, Wiser And Looking For Trophy

A little ignorance can go a long way.

The Clark Fork High girls basketball team returns to the State A-4 tournament a little smarter, a little older and a lot more experienced than it was last year, when it surprised everyone by qualifying for state.

“I have a young team,” Clark Fork coach Mark Stevens said. “A young, talented team. I started two freshmen last year (Shana Worcester and Courtenay Kiebert) and they played without any intimidation. I don’t know if it was because they were so young that they didn’t realize the pressure or because they were having so much fun. Regardless, I feel very fortunate to be their coach.”

Joining North Star League and District I champ Clark Fork (14-8) is runner-up Kootenai, which enters play today with the worst record of all qualifiers in the four tournaments at 6-15.

“The records don’t mean a lot in a tournament,” Kootenai coach Doug Napierala said. “A team can get on a roll, and anything can happen.”

The first two days, the tournament will be held at two sites.

Kootenai takes on District V runner-up Sho-Ban of Fort Hall (19-4) at 2:15 p.m. PST at Kuna High School, while Clark Fork meets District III runner-up Midvale (18-3) at 5:30 at Skyview in Nampa, Idaho.

Defending state champ Dietrich (16-7) is in Clark Fork’s bracket.

Clark Fork vs. Midvale

Last year, Clark Fork’s Wampus Cats went 1-2 at state and left slightly awed.

The last thing they want is a repeat performance.

“I’m optimistic about how we are going to do, but I don’t want to talk about it,” Stevens said. “Let’s just say I feel confident enough to feel we are going to play for a trophy. Which one it’s going to be is up to us.”

Clark Fork tore through the NSL before winning both district games in convincing form, 66-18 over Falls Christian and 50-32 against Kootenai.

The Wampus Cats beat Kootenai in the district final without Kiebert, who stayed home with strep throat.

“Missing the game was worse than the strep,” Stevens said. “Kootenai has been our strongest opponent this season, but I knew my team could handle it.”

Worcester, who scored a career-high 31 points, did most of the handling.

“We were behind a little and I knew someone had to pick it up,” Worcester said. “(Coach) told me to start getting inside and driving and that is what I did. My team was great about getting me the ball and giving me a lot of looks.”

With the majority of last season’s league champion team returning, Stevens’ confidence in his team was well-founded. His confidence grew with the added leadership and competitiveness of senior Jennifer Derr.

Derr, an outstanding setter in volleyball, rejoined the Wampus Cats after a two-year absence.

“I was worried at the start of the season that I wasn’t going to be playing that much,” Derr said. “But, it came back to me naturally.”

Her parents, schoolmates and coach hounded her about joining the team until she relented.

“I’m glad I did,” she said. “It has me thinking that maybe I can play both sports in college.”

Derr signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at Northern Montana State University.

Her leadership on the court is immeasurable, and so is her defense. But if you ask her, it’s only because she is making up for her shortcomings.

“I have to be good on defense to make up for all the shots I miss,” she said with a laugh.

“Jennifer is always there to pump you up if you feel down,” Worcester said. “She is a positive influence.”

Heather McDaniel is the other senior. She was a starter at the beginning of the year, but the play of Izzy Rounsville forced her to share time on the court.

Stevens thinks it’s improved McDaniel’s play.

“Heather is more confident with her shots and scoring more coming off the bench,” Stevens said. “With her intelligence, she picks things up real quick and does it when she gets on the court.”

The junior class is also a talented lot. Ashley Ruen and Charlotte Scofield have two years of varsity experience.

“They are still young with a ton of experience,” Stevens said. “All those things put together are the ingredients of a good mix. The girls are very confident. They know what to expect now. Offensively, we are a better team than we were last year.”

Said Kiebert: “This will be my second year (at state). I may get a little nervous, but once the game gets going, it’ll go away.”

Kootenai vs. Sho-Ban

The Warriors have been led by juniors Janelle Scheffelmaier and Cara Schlepp and sophomore Sarah Anderson.

Kootenai has struggled offensively at times. If that happens at state, the Warriors’ visit could be brief.

The Warriors will take on a team that can put up points in a hurry.

Senior guard T. Rae Hutchinson, Sho-Ban’s career scoring leader, averages 27 points, five rebounds, six steals and five assists per game. The up-tempo Chiefs beat a team earlier in the season 106-15.