Iml Basketball
In predicted order of finish:
Lakeland Hawks
1999-00 records: 10-0 (league), 20-3 (overall)
Coach: Steve Seymour Years coaching, record: 6th, 59-49
Key players: Micki DesMarais, jr., 5-9, wing/post; Ashley Jamison, jr., 5-7, w; Stacey Douglas, jr., 5-5, point guard; Sarah Hansen, jr., 5-10, p; Jessica Austad, jr., 5-7, w; Lindsay Von Behren, jr., 5-8, w/p; Kara Kiefer, soph., 5-9, p/w; Kristen Harwood, jr., 6-0, p.
Bonus shot: The Hawks graduated just two players and return nine off a team that came close to capturing third place at state.
Coach’s comments: “I like the fact that they’re working harder this year than last year. They’re not satisfied with last year. They’re ready to go after this season and establish some new goals.”
Outlook: The Hawks should run away with the league and district titles. They’ll contend for a state crown and should not be content with anything less than third.
Priest River Spartans
1999-00 records: 7-3, 16-7
Coach: Jamie Poncho
Years coaching, record: 4th, 44-27
Key players: Angie Turner, sr., 6-0, p; Tiffany Troudt, sr., 5-4, pg; Emily Oscarson, sr., 5-6, g; Nikki Yount, sr., 5-11, p.
Bonus shot: The key players listed are four of the best seniors in the league. Turner was voted the league’s most valuable player last year.
Coach’s comments: “Our morale wasn’t there (at district). It was disappointing for the kids. The morale should be much better.”
Outlook: On paper, the Spartans have the second-best talent. They did last year before stumbling at district. If Poncho can bridge established players with new players, the Spartans will be difficult to knock out of second.
Bonners Ferry Badgers
1999-00 records: 4-6, 10-13
Coach: Kelly Hinthorn
Years coaching, record: 1st
Key players: Taylor Cady, sr., 5-10, p; Julie Bateman, sr., 5-10, w/p; Jasmine Robertson, sr., 5-4, pg; Lynsey Rice, sr., 5-8, w.
Bonus shot: Hinthorn was known as Kelly Meeker when she started for four years at point guard for the Badgers and played for her dad (Dan Meeker).
Coach’s comments: “This group has played together for a long time. We have height and we’re also fairly quick. But we’re not the best shooters. We’re working on that a lot.”
Outlook: If the Badgers can find some perimeter shooting, they’ll be difficult to defend. Otherwise, most teams will pack it inside and make life difficult in the block. If the Hawks or Spartans stumble, the Badgers could earn a state berth.
St. Maries Lumberjacks
1999-00 records: 5-5, 19-8
Coach: Bryan Chase
Years coaching, record: 3rd, 28-20
Key players: Karin Grieser, sr., 5-6, pg; Alaina Hammons, sr., 5-6, g; Maria Hammons, sr., 5-6, g; Shena Charles, jr., 5-9, p; Stephanie Krebs, soph., 5-6, g.
Bonus shot: The Lumberjacks could be the shortest team in the league. Their tallest player is 5-9 and most of the Lumberjacks are 5-6.
Coach’s comments: “We’re young and a little inexperienced. But once we get on the same page we’ll be OK. We want to peak around district.”
Outlook: The Lumberjacks upset Priest River at district to earn their first state berth since 1990. St. Maries won’t go that long between state trips again. The Lumberjacks must overcome huge hurdles to earn a second straight trip.
Kellogg Wildcats
1999-00 records: 3-7, 10-11
Coach: Lisa Cheney
Years coaching, record: 1st
Key players: Kaci Martello, sr., 5-10, p; Jennifer Mercado, jr., 5-6, pg; Jennifer Absec, jr., 5-10, w/p.
Bonus shot: Cheney is the second firstyear coach in the league to come home. As Lisa Schram, she was a three-year starter at Kellogg before graduating in 1992. She played on three state-qualifying teams.
Coach’s comments: “We have a lot of work to do. But I see us in the mix (for second). The girls have been frustrated switching from coach to coach in recent years. I hope to provide them with some stability.”
Outlook: Cheney wants to build Kellogg into a perennial contender for a state berth. There’s much work ahead, though.
Timberlake Tigers
1999-00 records: 1-9, 8-11
Coach: Brian Kluss
Years coaching, record: 1st
Key players: Billie Mueller, sr., 5-4, g; Brittany Fulwiler, sr., 5-6, g; Jessaca Keith, jr., 5-4, pg; Lindsey Corbit, soph., 5-9, p; Aimee Sacksteder, soph., 5-9, p; Melissa Dallenbach, jr., 5-2, g.
Bonus shot: This is Kluss’ first head girls basketball job. But he’s not new to head coaching. He was head football coach at Preston for four years.
Coach’s comments: “We’re just young and inexperienced. It’s going to take a whole year to season up. We’re still kind of getting to know each other.”
Outlook: Graduation took a toll. Kluss kept four freshmen on varsity. Just two of 10 players are seniors. It could be a long year. If the youth survives, it could be good seasoning for years to come.
This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch
Micki DesMarais, junior, 5-7, forward, Lakeland
Angie Turner, senior, 6-0, post, Priest River
Julie Bateman, senior, 5-10, wing/post, Bonners Ferry
Ashley Jamison, junior, 5-7, wing, Lakeland
Tiffany Troudt, senior, 5-4, point guard, Priest River
Stacey Douglas, junior, 5-5, point guard, Lakeland
Karin Grieser, senior, 5-6, point guard, St. Maries
Kaci Martello, senior, 5-10, post, Kellogg
Emily Oscarson, senior, 5-6, guard, Priest River
Sarah Hansen, junior, 5-10, post, Lakeland