Intermountain League

In predicted order of finish:

Bonners Ferry Badgers

2004-05 records: 13-11, 6-2

Coach: Travis Hinthorn

Years coaching, record: 3rd, 25-23

Returning starters, lettermen: 4, 7

Key players: Becky Lowther, junior, 5-foot-9, wing; Katie Poston, jr., 5-9, post; Jennifer Youngwirth, senior, 5-7, guard; Camille Robertson, sophomore, 5-9, w.

Coach’s comments: “We’re the most athletic since I’ve been here. We should be pretty deep. We’re more skilled than we’ve been in the past.”

Outlook: Hinthorn has the ingredients to make a serious run at a state trophy. He has the top two vote-getters back from the all-league team in Lowther and Poston. A difficult non-league schedule will prepare the Badgers for postseason.

Priest River Spartans

2004-05 records: 14-11, 7-1 league champ

Coach: Jamie Pancho

Years coaching, record: 9th overall; 8th at PR, first in second stint at PR, 116-74

Returning starters, lettermen: 2, 6

Key players: Lacy Hopkins, soph., 5-7, wing; Tabitha Clark, soph., 5-7, pg; Hailey Yount, sr., 5-9, p; Brittany Smith, sr., 5-5, g.

Coach’s comments: “It’s been neat to see how much these kids have matured. We’re athletic, we have some speed and we have some postseason experience.”

Outlook: In other words, Pancho has the blend of players to make a run at not only a state berth, but a state trophy. Pancho returns after coaching one year at West Valley where the Knights were 2-19. Pancho is teaching at Newport High School.

Kellogg Wildcats

2004-05 records: 12-11, 4-4

Coach: Steve Bourgard

Years coaching, record: 1st

Returning starters, lettermen: 1, 5

Key players: Marisa Bush, soph., 5-8, w; Alyssa Weingart, sr., 5-8, p; Kaela Calabretta, soph., 5-5, pg; Jordan Budd, sr., 5-9, g; Sue James, sr., 5-11, p.

Coach’s comments: “I think we’re going to be better than people think. I like the group of kids we have. They’ve put in the work.”

Outlook: Bourgard, an 11-year assistant for the Kellogg boys varsity, gets his first shot as a head coach. He will do well in time. The Wildcats graduated four starters including league player of the year Cami Wendt. But Bourgard reports that the cupboard isn’t bare. Kellogg will battle St. Maries for third.

St. Maries Lumberjacks

2004-05 records: 8-14, 3-5

Coach: Bryan Chase

Years coaching, record: 8th, 77-82

Returning starters, lettermen: 3, 7

Key players: Mallory Lehman, jr., 5-11, p; Sam Siron, jr., 5-7, g; Darbie Shelden, soph., 5-8, p; Amanda Ratcliffe, soph., 5-6, g; Elsa Krier, soph., 6-0, p.

Coach’s comments: “We’re still young, but we have some experience. Seven of our 10 girls had a taste of what it was like to be on varsity last year.”

Outlook: The Lumberjacks need another year of seasoning, though, before challenging the established programs. Wins will come in time, but St. Maries must pay a few more dues.

Timberlake Tigers

2004-05 records: 4-16, 0-8

Coach: Matt Miller

Years coaching: 1st

Returning starters, lettermen: 4, 9

Key players: Lynsie Powers, sr., 5-7, g; Alisha Puckett, sr., 5-6, g; Lauren Bronco, sr., 5-9, p; Diana LeBlanc, sr., 5-8, g; Kerry Costigan-Galdes, sr., 5-9, p; Kelly Kincella, sr., 5-9, g.

Coach’s comments: “They’re catching on to the defensive concepts pretty quick. We need a lot of work on fundamental things.”

Outlook: Miller is the third coach in three years and fifth in eight years the school’s been open. The program needs continuity and Miller says he plans on staying around. Progress must be counted with baby steps. The Tigers are 4-64 in league since the school opened in 1998.