North Star Basketball

In predicted order of finish:

Clark Fork Wampus Cats

1999-00 records: 6-0 (league), 14-10 (overall)

Coach: Mark Stevens

Years coaching, record: 7th, 66-66

Key players: Courtenay Kiebert, jr., 5-8, point guard; Shana Worcester, jr., 5-10, post; Charlotte Scofield, sr., 5-7, wing; Ashley Ruen, sr., 5-7, w; Sierra McDaniel, jr., 5-3, w; Izzy Rounsville, jr., 6-1, p.

Bonus shot: The Wampus Cats didn’t lose a league contest last year. Their closest game against a league foe was in the district championship game, which they won by 18 points.

Coach’s comments: “I have eight returners but I feel I have 10 of the best players in the league.”

Outlook: Winning tradition and confidence make the Wampus Cats a state trophy contender. Several of the players were key figures in Clark Fork’s state runner-up finish in volleyball.

Kootenai Warriors

1999-00: 4-2, 6-17

Coach: Doug Napierala

Years coaching, record: 3rd, 8-32

Key players: Cara Schlepp, sr., 5-6, forward/w; Janelle Scheffelmaier, sr., 5-11, p; Sarah Andersen, jr., 5-4, pg.

Bonus shot: The Warriors were the surprise team last year by taking second in the league with a strong finish.

Coach’s comments: “I am returning a lot of players and a lot of experience. We should be a team to beat.”

Outlook: The Warriors are going to be very successful and have what it takes to knock off the top teams.

Mullan Tigers

1999-00 records: 2-4, 3-17

Coach: Wayne Koski

Years coaching, record: 3rd, 3-17

Key players: Adina Winstead sr., 5-10, p; Sheena Lane, soph., 5-11, p; Lyndsey Hegbloom, sr., 5-8, w; Lisa Sala, soph., 5-3, pg.

Bonus shot: Koski took his team to a summer camp in St. Regis, Mont., conducted by Montana State University assistant coach Brian Orr.

Coach’s comments: “We can play ball with any team in our league. We are handling the ball better and playing with more confidence.”

Outlook: A lot quicker and confident Tigers may make Mullan a contender for one of the league’s two state berths.

Falls Christian Eagles

1999-00 records: 0-6, 0-20

Coach: Tracy Baker

Years coaching, record: 2nd, 0-20

Key players: Jackie Poole, sr., 5-8, pg; Whitney Adams, soph., 5-11, p; Tara Martinson, fresh., 5-9, p; Desiree Anderson, soph., 5-8, p/w.

Bonus shot: Baker is still looking for her first win as the varsity coach.

Coach’s comments: “We are going to look to speed things up and try to catch teams off guard. We are still young and learning.”

Outlook: FCA lost some key players who decided not to return or transferred to other schools. The Eagles are going to have their work cut out for them.

This sidebar appeared with the story: Players to watch

Shana Worcester, junior, 5-10, post, Clark Fork

Adina Winstead, senior, 5-11, post, Mullan

Courtenay Kiebert, junior, 5-8, guard, Clark Fork

Janelle Scheffelmaier, senior, 5-11, post, Kootenai

Jackie Poole, senior, 5-8, point guard, Falls Christian