North Star League
In predicted order of finish
Post Falls Christian Eagles
2004-2005 records: 17-9 overall, 8-4 league
Coach: Tim Mitchell
Years coaching, record: 3rd, 22-20
Returning lettermen, starters: 8, 4
Key players: Matt Rouse, senior, 6-0, point guard/post; David Park, sr., 5-9, g; Tim Laux, sr., 5-9, g; Daniel Anderson, junior, 6-4, p; Brandon Messier, sr., 6-0, forward; John Hutchins, sr., 6-5, p.
Coach’s comments: “My boys are excited. They think we can take (league). As long as they believe, I’m all good.”
Outlook: The Eagles finished second in league last year so this is the natural next step in their progression. PFC got to state and won its opener. That was huge in their development for this season. Playing in a balanced league will prepare them to make a run at a state trophy.
Mullan Tigers
2004-2005 records: 11-12, 7-5
Coach: Bruce Bailey
Years coaching, record: 4th, 35-30
Returning lettermen, starters: 5, 4
Key players: Jesse James, sr., 6-2, p; Cory Pehan, sr., 6-3, p; Matt Murray, sr., 6-0, w; Joe Ploharz, sr., 5-9, g.
Coach’s comments: “We’re fairly experienced. We’ll be tough inside as long as we stay out of foul trouble. I like our team unity. We play well as a team.”
Outlook: The biggest hurdle facing Mullan is depth. Foul trouble and injuries could mean the Tigers tumble a spot or two. They have plenty of talent in their starting lineup – enough so to challenge PFC. But a key injury could mean an uphill struggle.
Wallace Miners
2004-2005 records: 9-14, 6-6
Coach: Josh Hemphill
Years coaching, record: 5th, 25-64
Returning lettermen, starters: 7, 2
Key players: Nick Arthun, freshman, 5-10, pg; D.J. Norman, jr., 6-6, p; Tommy Norris, sophomore, 5-11, p; Justin Keener, sr., 5-10, g.
Coach’s comments: “I like it all. The biggest thing that we have this year is depth. We’ve never had depth in the past.”
Outlook: The Miners could climb the highest. If either PFC or Mullan struggles, Wallace could leapfrog as high as first. But this is the logical pick, with the Miners challenging for one of the two state berths.
Clark Fork Wampus Cats
2004-2005 records: 6-12, 5-7
Coach: Brian Powell
Years coaching, record: 5th, first year in third stint, 64-31
Returning lettermen, starters: 4, 4
Key players: Mike Martin, soph., 6-0, pg; Brian Young, sr., 5-10, wing; Bill Clayton, sr., 5-10, w; Kyle Ruen, sr., 6-1, post; Tyler Broggi, sr., 6-3, p; Hunter Chance, jr., 6-3, p/w; Ben Maddrey, sr., 6-5, p.
Coach’s comments: “It’ll be interesting for us. We’ll be pretty raw at first. We’ll be blending and coming together as we go.”
Outlook: The running joke is Powell wouldn’t return unless there’s talent in the cupboard. There is, enough that the Wampus Cats will challenge for a state berth. But it may take a while before Clark Fork jells.
Kootenai Warriors
2004-2005 records: 4-17, 4-8
Coach: Mike LaFountaine
Years coaching, record: 8th, 59-90
Returning lettermen, starters: 5, 3
Key players: Frank Donohoe, soph., 5-8, pg; Justin Thomas, soph., 6-3, p; Cody Kraack, jr., 5-10, g; Jeff Ness, jr., 5-10, g; Anthony Cranford, jr., 5-11, g/p; Brandon Barnes, sr., 6-0, p; Kellen Gustin, jr., 5-6, g.
Coach’s comments: “They understand what we’re trying to do. It’s going to be fun to coach them. We’re quick and we’ve got to use that quickness to win us some ballgames.”
Outlook: If the Warriors have a say, this could be one of the deepest league races in years. Kootenai believes it can challenge for an upper-division finish. They’ll have to do so by making teams play their style. The Warriors will press, press and press some more.
Lakeside Knights
2004-2005 records: 23-3, 12-0 league champ
Coach: Stacey Sonder
Years coaching, record: 4th, 45-25
Returning lettermen, starters: 1, 0
Key players: Robert Bearstail, soph., 6-0, g; Jeremiah Brunelle, soph., 6-0, g; Alex Campbell, fr., 5-7, g.
Coach’s comments: “They’re really coachable. I’m really happy with them. We’ll take a few lumps during the season, but I think we’ll be there at the end.”
Outlook: During the summer, Sonder really thought he had the nucleus to challenge for another trip to state. But all of a sudden kids dropped out of school and made poor choices. So he will have the youngest team bar none. That will mean some serious growing pains at times.
Coeur d’Alene Charter Panthers
2004-2005 records: 0-13, 0-11
Coach: Brian Childs
Years coaching: 1st
Returning lettermen, starters: 4, 2
Key players: Josiah Menzies, jr., 6-0, w; David Baker, jr., 6-2, p/w; Chris Shaw, jr., 5-9, pg.
Coach’s comments: “We’re making some progress. Hopefully, we can turn this into a bit more of a competitive program this year.”
Outlook: Childs, a varsity assistant boys coach the last six years at Lake City, is the third coach in the program’s third year. He wants to stop the revolving coaching door. The Panthers should be much improved, but it may not show up in the win column.