Young team shows promise
Vikings coach believes his inexperienced team could make it to state
Most years, high school basketball coaches would call the season the Coeur d’Alene boys team is facing a rebuilding year.
The Vikings, who finished as the 5A state runners-up last year, return no starters and just two lettermen. And Coeur d’Alene doesn’t have a senior on this year’s team.
Coeur d’Alene coach Kent Leiss isn’t going anywhere close to using the term rebuilding, though.
“I don’t think people are going to think we’re going to be very good,” Leiss said. “We graduated eight seniors and all the starters. We have no seniors. On the face of that people will think we’ll be in a rebuilding year. But I don’t think it’s a rebuilding year at all.”
Technically the cupboards aren’t bare for the Vikings (22-3 overall last year, 12-0 in Inland Empire League). Junior guard Devon Austin (6-foot) was CdA’s sixth man last year and played starter-like minutes. He was on the floor when it mattered most and scored 18 points in a game at state last year.
Another junior, forward Connor Williams (6-5), is the Vikings’ other returner. He didn’t log as many minutes as Austin, but varsity certainly won’t be new to him.
After that, though, the experience drops off dramatically. Five juniors, one sophomore and two freshmen round out the roster.
The other juniors are point guard Connor White (5-11), guard Steven Casley (6-0), forward Curtis Reno (6-3), forward Brian Klatt (6-0) and forward Kody Stevens (6-4). Sophomore guard Andrew Baracco (6-0) and freshmen Deon Watson (6-3) and Chad Chalich (6-0) will see lots of time. In fact, the freshmen started CdA’s season opener because Leiss sent a message to some of his players regarding their grades.
Watson could see the most time of all the reserves, if not start. He is the son of former University of Idaho player Deon Watson.
Perhaps the biggest shoes Leiss must fill were worn by his shortest players last year – guards Nate Clinton and Andrew Prohaska. They brought an intensity to the court that was unmatched by their peers.
Leiss is known for his ability to get his players to play hard. That shouldn’t be a problem with this group even if the core is young.
“I’ve been riding them. I keep asking them ‘Are you tough enough?’ ” Leiss said. “We’ve improved a lot since last spring.”
Leiss believes this team possesses better shooters than last year’s team.
“This team has way more ability to score than last year’s team,” Leiss said. “We have five to six scorers.”
One question that looms is how well the Viks play defense. That was certainly CdA’s strength the past two years as Region I champs.
“If they can become as good a defensive team as last year, we should be pretty good,” Leiss said.
CdA has a difficult early schedule. The Viks go to southern California for three games before returning for three games at the Coeur d’Alene Holiday Inn Express tournament at North Idaho College. Sandwiched in between is the Fight for the Fish game at Lake City.
“We have a very tough schedule,” Leiss said. “But I think we’ll come through it.”
Lewiston is heavily favored to capture the league title. Lake City and Post Falls could challenge. As for CdA, who knows.
Still, Leiss believes his team will fare well.
“I think we can go to state,” he said. “I think we can beat Lake City and Post Falls. We just have to go out and do it.”
Leiss has seen some promising things in practice.
“I don’t think we’re going to have any problems scoring,” he said. “Right now, I’m trying to develop the defensive mindset.”
Sandpoint: The Bulldogs had a rough season last year, finishing last in the IEL (1-11) and 6-16 overall.
They’re determined to turn things around. Five lettermen, including two starters, return. Senior Tanner French (5-9) returns at point guard and senior wing/post Spencer Swerin (6-3), a first team all-league pick last year, returns. The other lettermen are senior wing Bryce Olin (6-2), senior guard Talis Siegel (5-10) and senior post Tony Locasio (6-4).
Junior guard Stefan Buratto (6-3) transferred from Central Valley and could challenge for a starting job. Others in the mix for playing time are senior guard Jonas Cafferty (6-0), junior wing/post Brandon Lawrence (6-1) and junior wing/post Mike Hubbard (6-3).
Tyler Haynes returns for a third stint as head coach after taking a year off. He’s thankful to have another opportunity with a group of players he’s familiar with.
“I missed coaching,” Haynes said. “I’m glad to be back. I coached the eighth-grade boys last year and had a blast. I like this group because they have some unique characteristics.”
Most of them are multiple-sport athletes. French and Swerin were key contributers on a soccer team that won a state title and Lawrence, Cafferty and Hubbard were on the state playoff-qualifying football team.
“I like how hard they play,” Haynes said. “It starts in practice. We have yet to have a bad practice. The effort has been tremendous. It’s the hardest working group I’ve had.”
In Haynes’ second tour as head coach, he took two teams to the state tournament. He sees similar qualities in this year’s team.
“We’re pretty darn athletic,” Haynes said.
The Bulldogs are favored among the 4A teams in the region. But they expect a tug of war with Lakeland and Moscow.