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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

North Idaho boys basketball previews


New Lake City basketball coach Jim Thacker works with his team, including Jeff Marfice, right, during practice.
 (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
The Spokesman-Review

Inland Empire League

In predicted order of finish

Lewiston Bengals

2004-2005 records: 13-10 overall, 7-5 league

Coach: Dave Cornelia

Years coaching, record: 5th, 63-34

Returning lettermen, starters: 8, 2

Key players: Bo Gregg, senior, 6-foot-4, wing; Beau Blewett, sr., 6-7, post; Andrew Packwood, junior, 6-8, p; Shane Moser, jr., 6-0, point guard; Jordan Gregg, sr., 6-4, w; Chris Butler, sr., 6-0, g.

Coach’s comments: “I don’t think we’ll be as good offensively as we were a couple of years ago, but we’re better defensively – we’re better athletes and we have more team speed.”

Outlook: This could be Cornelia’s best team – better than the one that was a basket or so away from playing in the state title game two years ago. No team in the league will be able to match the Bengals’ size. Lewiston won’t start a player shorter than 6 feet.

Moscow Bears

2004-2005 records: 16-7, 7-5

Coach: Lance Hansen

Years coaching, record: 11th, 3rd at Moscow, 131-117

Returning lettermen, starters: 6, 3

Key players: Paul Wimer, jr., 6-3, p; Brad Herrenbruck, sr., 6-4, p; Cody Line, sr., 6-2, g.

Coach’s comments: “The expectations are very clear. The strength of our crew is their ability to work together as a unit. It’s a very hard-working team and they work very well together.”

Outlook: The Bears don’t have one player that will strike fear in opponents, but it’s the sum of the parts that will be difficult for opponents. Playing at Moscow is not a delight. Moscow is a much different team away from home, too. This could be Hansen’s best team in his three years at Moscow. The Bears will challenge Post Falls for the 4A regional title.

Post Falls Trojans

2004-2005 records: 18-9, 9-3 league champ

Coach: Dave Stockwell

Years coaching, record: 6th, 128-75

Returning lettermen, starters: 10, 3

Key players: Brandon Haas, jr., 6-4, w; Kyle Turpin, sr., 6-5, p; Dan Hamilton, sr., 5-9, g; Zack Deines, sr., 5-10, g.

Coach’s comments: “This group has tremendous potential. If they can learn to play together and get a little confidence, I really like our chances. They run well and rebound well.”

Outlook: The Trojans placed fourth at state last year, bringing home a trophy. Stockwell thinks this team could be as good as last season. He doesn’t have a player who can take a team on his shoulders as his son, Scott, did many times last year. But he has plenty of players who can share the scoring load. Post Falls will challenge Moscow for the 4A regional title.

Coeur d’Alene Vikings

2004-2005 records: 9-15, 4-8

Coach: Kent Leiss

Years coaching, record: 17th, 3rd at CdA, 215-165

Returning lettermen, starters: 5, 3

Key players: Matt Palmer, sr., 6-0, g; Nate Bligh, jr., 6-3, w/g; Leon Duplessis, jr., 6-0, g; Cody Smith, sr., 6-3, p; Austin Heleker, jr., 6-3, pg/w.

Coach’s comments: “We’re going to have to play all over the court. They’re fun to watch in practice. It’s the shortest team I’ve ever had. My sophomores are going to cause a lot of problems for teams.”

Outlook: For a while during preseason, it seemed the only news Leiss had was bad news. Then last week Austin Heleker, his returning starting point guard who initially didn’t turn out, asked if he could have a second chance. Leiss will play four sophomores quite a bit with his talented juniors. This should be his best team in his three years. CdA and Lake City are playing for the play-in game for a state berth. Lewiston is a lock for the 5A regional title.

Lake City Timberwolves

2004-2005 records: 11-10, 5-7

Coach: Jim Thacker

Years coaching, record: 34th, 1st at LC, 493-304

Returning lettermen, starters: 6, 4

Key players: Ty Stoddard, jr., 5-11, g; Jarom Taylor, sr., 6-5, center; Brad Bemis, sr., 6-2, forward; Brett Bemis, sr., 6-3, f; Cory Kreighbaum, sr., 5-11, g.

Coach’s comments: “I’ve been pleasantly surprised at how they’ve picked up things. We’re behind a little defensively than where I’d like to be. I’m real conservative defensively. I just want them to be in the right places. We’re not going to gamble a lot. I’m a lot like (Washington State University coach) Dick Bennett that way. I believe you stay home and do your job. Hopefully, we’re going to be pretty good defensively.”

Outlook: The question here is: How fast will the Timberwolves adapt to Thacker’s principles of sound defense and structured offense? If things fall into place early, LC could challenge for a higher finish in league. Otherwise, they’ll point to peaking by season’s end when they should be difficult to play. Thacker will get the program back to where former coach Jim Winger had it.

Lakeland Hawks

2004-2005 records: 8-14, 3-9

Coach: Trent Derrick

Years coaching, record: 10th, 101-108

Returning lettermen, starters: 4, 3

Key players: Ryan Gallia, sr., 5-9, pg; Phillip Viebrock, sr., 6-3, f; Bubba Bartlett, jr., 6-1, f; Andrew Bear, sr., 5-11, g.

Coach’s comments: “What I like about this team is we have some versatility. I think they’re pretty disciplined and they’re extremely coachable kids.”

Outlook: Lakeland will be in many games based on Gallia’s shooting. If the Hawks develop a bench, they could give Moscow and Post Falls a run for the 4A regional title.

Sandpoint Bulldogs

2004-2005 records: 14-10, 7-5

Coach: Tyler Haynes

Years coaching, record: 4th, 30-36

Returning lettermen, starters: 4, 2

Key players: Michael Brewer, sr., 6-6, p; Chase Lowther, sr., 6-0, pg; Brian Shultz, sr., 6-4, w; Andrew Meaux, sr., 6-2, p.

Coach’s comments: “I think we’ll be pleased with the overall season. We’re going to be a very competitive team. This is the third year of the program (fourth overall) and we’re ahead of the learning curve.”

Outlook: Based on experience, this is where the Bulldogs shake out on paper. But Haynes will be disappointed if they finish in the basement. He sees his team more in the middle of the pack.