2015 winter sports

16

Upload: addisonindependent

Post on 17-Feb-2016

160 views

Category:

Documents


1 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: 2015 Winter Sports
Page 2: 2015 Winter Sports

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 2Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

2015-2016

Park HighRANGERS

Dec. 5 @ BelgradeDec. 11-12 @ Powell, WYDec. 15 @ ColumbusDec. 18-19 @ C.M. RussellJan. 2 @ ColumbusJan. 5 vs. Columbus, Lone Peak,

WhitehallJan. 8-9 @ BozemanJan. 15-16 @ MIles City

Jan. 23 @ Fergus High SchoolJan. 28 vs. Belgrade, Butte

Central, Fergus High School

Jan. 30 @ HardinFeb. 6 @ Havre, DivisionalsFeb. 12-13 @ Billings, State

WRESTLING

Dec. 12 @ Harlowton (Tri-City) DDec. 13 @ Harlowton LDec. 18 vs. Twin BridgesDec. 19 @ Shield's Valley Jan. 1 vs. WSSJan. 2 @ West YellowstoneJan. 8 vs. Lone PeakJan. 9 @ SheridanJan. 15 vs. M. ChristianJan. 16 vs. EnnisJan. 22 @ Twin BridgesJan. 23 vs. Shield's ValleyJan. 29 @ Lone PeakJan. 30 vs. HarrisonFeb. 6 @ WSSFeb. 7 vs. WhitehallFeb. 13 @ M. ChristianFeb. 14 @ EnnisFeb. 19-21 @ Districts, M. ChristianFeb. 26-28 @ Divisionals, HamiltonMar. 3-5 @ B. State, Great Falls (expo)Mar. 10-12 @ G. State, Missoula

BOYS BASKETBALL GIRLS BASKETBALL BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL

GardinerBRUINS

*Home games listed in bold face

Shields ValleyREBELS

BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALLDec. 10 @ LewistownDec. 12 @ LewistownDec. 18 @ West YellowstoneDec. 19 vs. GardinerDec. 22 vs. Twin BridgesJan. 2 @ Lone PeakJan. 8 @ TownsendJan. 9 @ Manhattan ChristianJan. 14 vs. White Sulphur SpringsJan. 15 @ Harrison/ Willow Cr.Jan. 22 vs. West YellowstoneJan. 23 @ GardinerJan. 28 vs. Lone PeakJan. 30 @ SheridanFeb. 4 vs. TownsendFeb. 5 @ EnnisFeb. 12 @ White Sulphur SpringsFeb. 13 vs. Harrison/ WC (Senior Night)

Feb. 17-20 @ Districts, ManhattanFeb. 24-27 @ Divisionals, HamiltonMar. 3-5 @ B. State, Great Falls (expo)Mar. 10-12 @ G. State, Great Falls (expo)

Livingston1203 Park st.

222-9010

Emigrant307 story rd.

333-9009

CLydE Park205 1st st.686-4204

www.bankoftherockies.com

This page proudly sponsored by

Dec. 5 @ TownsendDec. 11-12 @ Butte Tip-Off TournamentDec. 18 @ HavreDec. 19 @ BrowningDec. 22 vs. Beaverhead CountyJan. 8 vs. BelgradeJan. 9 @ Butte Central High SchoolJan. 15 vs. Fergus High SchoolJan. 16 @ Big TimberJan. 22 vs. HavreJan. 23 vs. BrowningJan. 29 vs. TownsendJan. 30 @ Beaverhead CountyFeb. 4 vs. Butte CentralFeb. 5 @ BelgradeFeb. 13 vs. Big TimberFeb. 18 @ Fergus High SchoolFeb. 24-27 Billings, DivisionalsMar. 3-5 Missoula, State

Dec. 5 @ TownsendDec. 11-12 @ Butte Tip-Off TournamentDec. 18 @ HavreDec. 19 @ BrowningDec. 22 vs. Beaverhead CountyJan. 8 vs. BelgradeJan. 9 @ Butte Central High SchoolJan. 15 vs. Fergus High SchoolJan. 16 @ Big TimberJan. 22 vs. HavreJan. 23 vs. BrowningJan. 29 vs. TownsendJan. 30 @ Beaverhead CountyFeb. 4 @ Butte CentralFeb. 5 @ BelgradeFeb. 13 vs. Big TimberFeb. 18 @ Fergus High SchoolFeb. 24-27 @ Billings, DivisionalsMar. 10-12 @ Belgrade, State

Get into the spirit of winter sports and cheer on the area teams!

Dec. 5 @ ColumbusDec 11-12 @ Imery's TournamentDec. 14 vs. BozemanDec. 17 vs. Three ForksDec. 18 @ TownsendJan. 2 vs. WhitehallJan. 7 vs. JolietJan. 9 @ Jefferson

Jan. 15 @ ManhattanJan. 16 vs. LivingstonJan. 21 @ Three ForksJan. 22 vs. TownsendJan. 25 @ BozemanJan. 28 vs. ColumbusJan. 29 @ WhitehallFeb. 4 @ JolietFeb. 5 vs. JeffersonFeb. 12 vs. ManhattanFeb. 13 @ LivingstonFeb. 18-20 District Tournament, BelgradeMar. 3-5 Divisional Tournament, BillingsMar. 10-12 State Tournament, Butte

BOYS & GIRLS BASKETBALL

Big TimberHERDERS

Page 3: 2015 Winter Sports

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 3Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

12-5 at Townsend

12-11,12 at Butte Tip-Off Tourney

12-18 at Havre

12-19 at Browning

12-22 Dillon

1-8 Belgrade

1-9 Butte Central

1-15 Fergus

1-16 at Big Timber

1-22 Havre

1-23 Browning

1-29 Townsend

1-30 at Dillon

2-4 at Butte Central

2-5 at Belgrade

2-13 Big Timber (Senior Night)

2-18 at Fergus

2/24-27 at Division Tournament (Billings)

3/3-5 at State Tournament (Missoula)(Home games in bold)

2015-16 Schedule

Park High Ranger Sterling Lay drives through the lane during a game against Browning last season.

Enterprise photo by Hunter D’Antuono

Veteran Rangers return three starters for 15-16

By Thomas E. Watson Enterprise Staff Writer

The Park High Ranger boys basketball team has three starters back from last year’s team, but the experienced players of the Rangers will be breaking in a new head coach in Lane Glaus.

Before arriving at Park High, Glaus played and coached at Mon-tana Western in Dillon. He also coached in the youth program in Billings while in graduate school.

Glaus is also the head athletic trainer at Park High, and already knowing the players has helped a great deal in his transition. Glaus also worked with the team in a coaching capacity last season.

“Being around the kids and building up that trust was impor-tant,” he said. “(I was able to) get to know them and how they respond to different situations or different coaching strategies. That has really helped.”

Park loses starters Joey Over-street and Connor Amsk, but Ster-ling Lay, Ladan Ricketts and Jordan Lehrer are all back for the Rangers.

Ricketts, who normally com-petes in the fall, took this fall off to prepare for basketball, and the work is paying dividends.

“He’s put in a lot of time getting shots up and working on his game throughout his high school career, but this fall he focused on getting in the weight room and doing some sport-specific style training that is going to help him moving forward.”

Last year, the Rangers were an up-tempo team. They plan to use their athleticism again this sea-son, but they are emphasizing using that athleticism on defense as well.

“I think we are going to get a lot of our points off turnovers and the fast break,” Glaus said. “We’re definitely going to push the tempo when we have it, but once we push the break and a team is back, we want to set it up and run our offense to make the team play defense.”

This summer, the Rangers worked on limiting their turn-overs on offense, and improving their defensive positioning.

Page 4: 2015 Winter Sports

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 4Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

GOOD LUCK TO ALL AREA ATHLETES

• Brakes • Struts • Shocks • Exhaust • Alignments• Oil Changes• Farm Service

618 East Park 222-0994

ALL SERVICE TIRE & Alignment, Inc.

Don’t let tire troubles keep

you fromyour favorite

sports.

123 W. Lewis St.Livingston

Office: 406-222-0944Fax: 406-222-0946

•••••100 McLeod St.

Big TimberOffice: 406-932-4014Locally owned

& operated

Julie SchmidtPat LearyAlice SenterDanna Lawellin

Good Insuranceis Key!

See us for all your car insurance needs.

Livingston Office Big Timber Office

When you're ready to send Christmas packages to loved ones and friends be sure to use our

Economical UPS Shipping Service

If you're aiming for savings and selection, come to

Gateway Office Supplywhen you want to score on holiday shopping

You won't have to waste time looking for the item you want - one of our friendly clerks will be at your service soon after you enter our door.

We have a lot of great gift ideas and loads of stocking stuffers.

When you're ready to send Christmas packages to loved ones and friends, be sure to use our

Economical UPS Shipping Service

209 So. 2nd222-0075

Good Luck

to All Our

Athletes!1106 W. Park St., Livingston 406-222-0202

Page 5: 2015 Winter Sports

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 5Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

12-5 at Townsend

12-11,12 at Butte Tip-Off Tourney

12-18 at Havre

12-19 at Browning

12-22 Dillon

1-8 Belgrade

1-9 Butte Central

1-15 Fergus

1-16 at Big Timber

1-22 Havre

1-23 Browning

1-29 Townsend

1-30 at Dillon

2-4 at Butte Central

2-5 at Belgrade

2-13 Big Timber (Senior Night)

2-18 at Fergus

2/24-27 at Division Tournament (Billings)

3/10-12 at State Tournament (Belgrade)(Home games in bold)

2015-16 Schedule

Park High Ranger Meghan Gibson crosses over teammate Ella McKenzie dur-ing last season’s Purple & Gold Game.

Enterprise photo by Hunter D’Antuono

Rangers planning to speed past the competition

By Thomas E. Watson Enterprise Staff Writer

Second-year head coach Scott Coleman has only two players back this season with varsity experience, but the players he does have are very fast and athletic — two tools the Rangers plan to use to their advantage throughout the season.

The Park High Rangers enter the 2015-16 season with Meghan Gibson and Sierra Higgs as leaders of this year’s squad, with Holly Davis, Kin-sey Whiting, Rachael Robbins and Ella McKenzie stepping into bigger roles this year.

“Holly is a tall shot blocker,” said Coleman. “Kinsey sat out a year last year but is in great form, and I am very glad to have her. Rachael Rob-bins can block shots, pull boards, score and run the court. She’s a tall post type, but she is extremely ath-letic. We also have Ella, and Ella can run circles around the competition. She releases and gets a ton of layups in a game because she is a whole lot quicker than who we are playing, so she is going to be awfully fun to watch.”

Along with Gibson, Robbins and McKenzie enter the winter season after playing soccer in the fall, and Coleman hopes to use their endur-ance to the team’s advantage.

“We have a team that is in pretty decent shape,” he said. “They’re going to be in a whole lot better shape in a couple of weeks. I think they are very capable of running, running, running the entire game. The mark of that will be if we can run somebody into the ground late in the fourth quarter. That is certainly the goal.”

In Coleman’s first year at the helm last season, the Rangers got better running their offense as the season progressed. They began to pick up on the concepts Coleman was teach-ing and grew more comfortable in the system, and that growth has car-ried over to this year.

“I think we have a group of play-ers with a tremendous amount of ball skills,” said Coleman. “This crew has a lot of potential. The big-gest challenge to this group is going to be how hard they are willing to work on defense through an entire game.”

Page 6: 2015 Winter Sports

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 6Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

12-5 at Belgrade Tournament

12-11,12 at Powell, WY Tournament

12-15 at Columbus Mixer

12-18,19 at CMR Tournament (Great Falls)

1-2 at Columbus Tournament

1-5 Home Mixer vs. Columbus/Whitehall/Lone Peak

1-8,9 at Bozeman Tournament

1-15,16 at Miles City Tournament

1-23 at Fergus/Belgrade/Butte Central (Lewistown)

1-28 Home Mixer vs. Fergus/Belgrade/Butte

1-30 Hardin Tournament

2-6 Divisional Tournament (Havre)

2-12,13 State Tournament (Billings)(Home meets in bold)

2015-16 Schedule

By Thomas E. Watson Enterprise Staff Writer

With 12 wrestlers on this year’s team, the Park High Rangers don’t have the biggest team, but they may have one of their most talented teams in recent memory when they hit the mat for the first time on Saturday, Dec. 5 in Belgrade.

Of their 12 wrestlers, three of them are returning state-tournament quali-fying wrestlers. Quinton Dirette, Deon Gillen and Victor Howieson are the Rangers’ returning state qualifi-ers. Overall, only four wrestlers return from last year, but that doesn’t mean the team is inexperienced.

“The majority of these kids are club kids,” head coach Jeremy Shields said. “It’s exciting this year because we have a lot of experience coming in. They’ve had a fair amount of success.”

The Rangers welcome back two seniors who are former club wres-tlers in Cade McOmber and Cole Jes-son.

“Both probably right away have the potential to place at the state tourna-ment,” said Shields.

Shane Gibson and Adam Bankert are also new to this year’s team.

“In all honesty, I think he has six or seven national placements,” Shields said of Gibson. “He’s coming in at an upper weight. It’ll be a tough year for him, but technical skills he is abso-lutely fantastic. Adam Bankert is another kid with multiple national placements, but he is coming in at a lower weight. He should have a pret-ty good season.”

Also on the team is Tyler Laverty,

who wrestled at West High last sea-son.

“The numbers aren’t large, but we have some good experience,” said Shields. “We have some really hard nose kids. They work really hard and practice twice a day.”

The team also has the added bonus

of two new coaches in Greg Bankert and Rick Gibson.

“That allows a lot of personal atten-tion, so it should be a really good year. I’m excited,” said Shields. “All in all, this is probably the most physi-cally talented group of kids we’ve had up here for a long time.”

Turning that talent into state tour-nament appearances is the key, how-ever.

“This year we have kids who have put time in on the mat,” Shields said. “We’re going to struggle initially, but in general we are starting off (much further along than we have).”

Ranger wrestlers look to make state

Enterprise photo by Hunter D’Antuono

Park High’s Victor Howieson wrestles at the Class A State Tournament last season.

Page 7: 2015 Winter Sports

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 7Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

Graybeal's

All Service Heating & Cooling, INC.222-7852

www.allservicehvac.net FRIENDLY, KNOWLEDGEABLE SERVICE FOR OVER 25 YEARS

Phone 222-7852

and say

Hey Dave!

Proud to support Park Co. and Sweet Grass Co. athletes!

Bruins Rebels Sheepherders Rangers

Dependable serviceis our only business.

• Residential • Commercial • Furnaces• Boilers • AC Systems

- Free Computerized Design -- 24 Hour Emergency Service on All Brands -

Dave Graybeal & crew service all types of heating and cooling systems.

NOW IS THE TIME TOSCHEDULE FALL SERVICE

Page 8: 2015 Winter Sports

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 8Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

When should you visit UrgentCare?

Livingston HealthCare’s UrgentCare exists to help you with a minor illness or injury that can’t wait until the next day—or for your primary care doctor to see you.

Acute FracturesAllergiesAsthmaBladder InfectionsBroken BonesBurnsColds/Flu

Ear Aches/ProblemsEye Infections/InjuriesFinger/Toenail InjuriesLacerationsPhysicalsRashesSprains/Strains

For example, UrgentCare can help with:

For major attention to your minor emergencies, visit the talented providers at UrgentCare!

104 Centennial Drive | Livingston, Montana406-222-0030 | LivingstonHealthCare.org

Open M-F, 11AM-10PM | Sat & Sun, 9AM-5PM

Page 9: 2015 Winter Sports

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 9Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

statefarm.com®

1001059 State Farm, Bloomington, IL

Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

Dean Hendrickson, Agent224 W Lewis

Livingston, MT 59047Bus: 406-222-2250

[email protected]

Sarah Skofield, Agent125 E Callender StreetLivingston, MT 59047

Bus: [email protected]

Make this fall sports season your best ever.

Good LuckPark andSweetGrassAthletes

Go for it!

Ask us how these State Farm® health products can protect you if you become ill, or get injured and are unable to work: • disability insurance • supplemental insurance • hospital income insurance • long-term care insuranceLike a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

CONTACT AN AGENT TODAY.

Plan for the unexpected when you’re healthy.

1101400.1 State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company • Bloomington, IL

Dean Hendrickson, Agent224 W Lewis

Livingston, MT 59047Bus: 406-222-2250

[email protected]

Sarah Skofield, Agent125 E Callender StreetLivingston, MT 59047Bus: 406-222-1000

www.sarahskofield.com

Ask us how these State Farm® health products can protect you if you become ill, or get injured and are unable to work: • disability insurance • supplemental insurance • hospital income insurance • long-term care insuranceLike a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®

CONTACT AN AGENT TODAY.

Plan for the unexpected when you’re healthy.

1101400.1 State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company • Bloomington, IL

Dean Hendrickson, Agent224 W Lewis

Livingston, MT 59047Bus: 406-222-2250

[email protected]

Sarah Skofield, Agent125 E Callender StreetLivingston, MT 59047Bus: 406-222-1000

www.sarahskofield.com

Best of luck this Winter Sports Season

Stanley P. Cornell, CPA, PCFirst Interstate Bank Building•207 W. Callender St.

2nd Floor, Suite 201222-2668

8-5 Monday-Thursday8-4 Friday

Office open by Appointment Only on Saturdays

30 Years Serving Park County

GOOD LUCK TO ALL OUR LOCAL ATHLETES

Athletes are some of ourfavorite people!

We wish all Park County athletesmuch success this fall.

We hope you accomplish all your goalsduring the season.

THEATRES

From all of us at

Page 10: 2015 Winter Sports

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 10Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

“Gardiner’s finest dining”• Steaks • Seafood • Spirits

BREAKFAST • DINNER

RUSTY RAIL LOUNGEPoker and Keno Machines

OUTLAW’SPizza and Casino

• Pizza• Pasta• Other House Specials• Salad Bar

Located at Best Western MotelPhone: 848-7336

Open 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. everydayTAKE OUT AVAILABLE

Winter Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Afterthegame...

• Steak • Seafood • SpiritsBREAKFAST • DINNER

RUSTY RAIL LOUNGE Poker and Keno Machines

Located at Best Western Phone: 848-7336

“Gardiner’s finest dining”• Steaks • Seafood • Spirits

BREAKFAST • DINNER

RUSTY RAIL LOUNGEPoker and Keno Machines

OUTLAW’SPizza and Casino

• Pizza• Pasta• Other House Specials• Salad Bar

Located at Best Western MotelPhone: 848-7336

Open 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. everydayTAKE OUT AVAILABLE

Winter Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.(406) 848-7733 • Gardiner

Afterthegame...

“Gardiner’s finest dining”• Steaks • Seafood • Spirits

BREAKFAST • DINNER

RUSTY RAIL LOUNGEPoker and Keno Machines

OUTLAW’SPizza and Casino

• Pizza• Pasta• Other House Specials• Salad Bar

Located at Best Western MotelPhone: 848-7336

Open 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. everydayTAKE OUT AVAILABLE

Winter Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.(406) 848-7733 • Gardiner

Afterthegame...

• Pizza •Pasta • Other House Specials •Salad Bar

Open 11:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. everydayTAKE OUT AVAILABLE

Winter Hours : 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.(406)-848-7733 • Gardiner

GOOD LUCK BRUINS!

ConvenienceStores

Your hometownone-stop shopping

• fuel • milk • bread • ice cream• soda • chips • lottery tickets

• internet access • candy • gifts • ATM • plus more!

Let us helpyou TACKLEyour before &after game munchies.

GO BRUINS!

You'll find just what you need to satisfy your post-game munchies and quench your thirst at Kremers.

848-7742

Stop in for a Subway sandwich or check outour wide variety of snack foods.

QUESENBERRY INSURANCE AGENCYMike Quesenberry

222-6931 • 1-800-784-6931www.quesenberryagency.com

We are proud to support Park County Athletics!

Wishing you all aspectacular season!

GOOD LUCKFrom-

Dr. David Thiry,Thiry Chiropractic

RANGERS

Page 11: 2015 Winter Sports

By Thomas E. Watson Enterprise Staff Writer

The Gardiner Bruin girls basket-ball team is coming off of the first state championship in team history, but rather than focusing on defend-ing their championship, the Bruins are focused on getting to know each other.

The Bruins’ top two players from last season — Hannah Dean and Tess Thomas — are gone, as is their coach. In to replace Ben Johnson is Shane Bartschi, who previously coached at Opheim High in northeast Montana.

“The first couple of weeks have actually gone really well,” said Bartschi. “We have a really good group out. We do have a small group. We have eight girls out right now. There is quite a bit of change with different personnel, but we are

working through it. We are getting everything set up as far as offense and defense goes. We are working on communication and trying to get ready for the first game (Dec. 4).”

Only four of the eight girls on this team played on last season’s state-title winning team, and while the Bruins want to honor that accom-plishment, this group of girls know they have a lot of work to do.

“It’s something that we’ve talked about,” Bartschi said. “Not in a bad way, but we are taking ourselves away from that. This is a new year. This is a new season with a big group of new girls. Not that we don’t expect to live up to that standard, but we are a different team with dif-ferent personnel and a different coach.”

With their new coach and a number of new players, the Bruins want to be aggressive in everything they do.

“We like to play an aggressive, fast-paced offense,” said Bartschi. “We do the same thing on defense. We play in-your-face defense. We try to get the other team to make mis-takes and make more mistakes than we do, so we can put more points on the board than they do.”

Bartschi coming from a small town like Gardiner helped prepared him for being the Bruins coach.

“It’s been really great,” he said of the transition to his new team. “I’ve been here all summer, so we did some open gyms. Where I came from was a small, close-knit town as well, so the transition for me has been pretty easy. The people in Gardiner are really nice and friendly. The stu-dents are good to work with. They work hard, so the transition has been really nice.”

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 11Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

12-12 at Harlowton Tourney

12-13 at Harlowton Tourney

12-18 Twin Bridges

12-19 at Shields Valley

1-1 White Sulphur Springs

1-2 at West Yellowstone

1-8 Lone Peak

1-9 at Sheridan

1-15 Manhattan Christian

1-16 Ennis

1-22 at Twin Bridges

1-23 Shields Valley

1-29 at Lone Peak

1-30 Harrison

2-6 at White Sulphur Spring

2-7 Whitehall

2-13 at Manhattan Christian

2-14 at Ennis

2/19-21 District Tournament (Manhattan Christian)

2/26-28 Division Tournament (Hamilton)

3/10-12 State Tournament (Missoula)(Home games in bold)

2015-16 Schedule

LARRY’S FOREIGN CAR REPAIR1317 E. Callender • Ph. 222-6855

DON’T GETLEFT BEHIND!

Make sure your vehicle is in top shape so you can follow your favorite teams to all the exciting sports action this winter.

COLD WEATHERis just around the corner. Have us check for parts that need replacing now before the cold causes a

breakdown later.

Enterprise photo by Hunter D’Antuono

Gardiner Bruin P.J. Thomas drives toward the lane during a game against Shields Valley last season.

Lady Bruins ready to defend state championship with new coach

Page 12: 2015 Winter Sports

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 12Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

12-12 at Harlowton Tourney

12-13 at Harlowton Tourney

12-18 Twin Bridges

12-19 at Shields Valley

1-1 White Sulphur Springs

1-2 at West Yellowstone

1-8 Lone Peak

1-9 at Sheridan

1-15 Manhattan Christian

1-16 Ennis

1-22 at Twin Bridges

1-23 Shields Valley

1-29 at Lone Peak

1-30 Harrison

2-6 at White Sulphur Spring

2-7 Whitehall

2-13 at Manhattan Christian

2-14 at Ennis

2/19-21 District Tournament (Manhattan Christian)

2/26-28 Division Tournament (Hamilton)

3/3-5 State Tournament (Great Falls)(Home games in bold)

2015-16 Schedule

By Thomas E. Watson Enterprise Staff Writer

Gardiner’s boys basketball team starts the season the weekend of Dec. 12-13 at a tournament in Harlowton, but the way practices have been going, the Bruins are ready to start the season now.

“It’s been great,” said head coach Wendy Thomas. “Our first week of practice was unreal good. We have 18 kids out, which is a gym full. That is exciting. We are doing a lot of new stuff, but they are picking up on it quick. They’re just a pretty savvy bunch of kids.”

Jordan Darr, Wyatt Wilkerson and Mason Schram graduated and are gone from last year’s team. But the Bruins were dealt a big blow just before the start of the season when they found out they would be without senior Eddie Rodarte, who injured his knee in the final regular-season foot-ball game.

With Rodarte’s injury and three seniors from last year’s team depart-ed, Gardiner has a lot of production to replace.

“The kids put in a good summer,” said Thomas. “Every open gym they were at the gym. We’re super young still. We have Jerry Hurst and Ethan Powell as our seniors. We have a junior who has transferred in from Shields Valley, Wyatt Phillips, who will look to contribute. Everyone else are mostly sophomores and freshmen.”

Last season, the Bruins were a good shooting team; however, they would rely on that shot and not go through their offense the way Thomas would have liked. This year, Gardiner is learning to be more patient.

“I don’t see any of the come-down-and-shoot-the-ball that we had last year,” said Thomas. “We haven’t seen a game yet, so that’ll tell the tale when nerves get out there. We’re looking to push the ball, for sure, but hopefully making good decisions and moving the ball a couple of times before a shot goes up unless it is a layup.”

The other big change for the Bruins this season is the incorporating ele-ments of the Icebox Athlete.

“It’s focused on composure, concen-tration, confidence and commitment,” Thomas said of the program. “We’ve done a lot with that, and we’re going to continue it on as long as I stay here. I think you’ll see some growth in kids mentally. Especially being so young, we need to be mentally focused and keep ourselves in the game. There is a lot of pressure on a lot of young kids to play varsity. They are going to have to because there just aren’t other kids there. We’re really focusing on play-ing in the moment, not focusing on the end result, the outcome or the goal. We’re just staying right where we’re at and focusing there. I think I have a bunch of kids who are buying in and want to do it. They are super focused kids, and I’m excited about it.”

Bruins prepared to replace lost production with youth

Enterprise photo by Hunter D’Antuono

Gardiner Bruin Eddie Rodarte goes for a layup during a game against Shields Valley last season. Rodarte will miss the upcoming season with a knee injury.

Page 13: 2015 Winter Sports

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 13Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

12-11, 12 at Class C Showcase (Lewistown

12-18 at West Yellowstone

12-19 Gardiner

12-22 Twin Bridges

1-2 at Lone Peak

1-8 at Townsend

1-9 at Manhattan Christian

1-14 White Sulphur Springs

1-15 at Harrison/Willow Creek

1-22 West Yellowstone

1-23 at Gardiner

1-28 Lone Peak

1-30 at Sheridan

2-4 Townsend

2-5 at Ennis

2-12 White Sulphur Springs

2-13 Harrison/Willow Creek (Senior Night)

2/17-20 District Tournament (Manhattan Christian)

2/24-27 Division Tournament (Hamilton)

3/3-5 State Tournament (Great Falls)

(Home games in bold)

2015-16 Schedule

Shields Valley Rebel Daniel Rivera shoots over a Gardiner defender during a game last season. Rivera is one of just two seniors on this year’s team along with Tristen Jenkins.

Enterprise photo by Hunter D’Antuono

Up-tempo Rebels hoping to play into the postseason

By Thomas E. Watson Enterprise Staff Writer

The Shields Valley Rebels have an experienced coach and an experi-enced team, and they hope that com-bination leads to successful results as the Rebels prepare for the 2015-16 basketball season.

The Rebels lost five seniors off of last year’s team, including starters Ryley Waddell, Clay Scidmore and Thad Ferguson. However, there is still a strong core at Shields Valley.

“Preseason practices are going really well, especially the top five guys that returned,” said head coach J.B. Boyd. “They’re looking really good with Brock Peterson and Tristen Jenkins. Daniel Rivera got a lot of time last year, and Colton Jones got quite a bit of time off of the bench. Those four are the keys. The rest of the team, I’m up in arms still. I got a lot of young players that are coming on strong, and thank goodness I still have two weeks of practices left to make a decision.”

The Rebels are a fast paced team, and they want to continue to play with that tempo.

“I think we’ll actually be better at it than we were last year,” Boyd said of playing with pace. “We’re just a lot quicker, as far as the top five I have playing now. They are really quick and really athletic. They flat get up and down the court. I had an eight-minute running-clock scrimmage last night between my top five against my second five, and they scored 43 points in eight minutes.”

The Rebels don’t just play fast for no reason. They have a plan for play-ing fast, and they have a minimum number of shots they try to reach in each game.

“The way I see it, the more shots we put up, the more shots we can miss and still win,” Boyd said. “If we put up a lot of shots and only make 35-percent of 60 or 65 shots, that is still putting a lot of points up. Points are what win. Outscoring the oppo-nent is the number one key, then going into a pressure-man defense and flying up the court.”

While most teams are getting their start this weekend, the Rebels won’t play their first game until Dec. 12 when they attend the Class C Show-case in Lewistown.

Page 14: 2015 Winter Sports

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 14Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

The Old P.O. Liquor StoreState Liquor Store

• Fine Wines • Local Artwork • Lending Library

106 E. Clark St. • Wilsall • 578-2094

• Tires, batteries and oil changes available.

• Fencing supplies.• Big Valley gates and wire

panels.

GOOD LUCK REBELSPark Farmer’s Co-opWilsall 578-2543

BEST OF LUCK DURING THE

2015-2016 SEASON CLYDE PARK TAVERNClyde Park, MT

It’s Worth the Drive

Glenn’s shoPPinG CenTer686-4421

The Berendts Family

Dale’s FuelClyde Park • 686-4681

Best of luck to the

reBels

"GRACIE"

Proud of the Rebels!Cindy & Jerry Good

P.O. Box 18Clyde Park, Montana 59018

406.686.4471

SHIELDS VALLEYHardware & Framing Inc.

We hope the round ball

warriors have the best

year ever!

Complete service for Your Car

or Truck

Football, Volleyball, & Basketball Too

Logan Auction Service,

Inc is sold on

You!Good luck Rebels!

From JimBo, Chris & KaceyAnn

Before or after the game, nothing satisfies an appetite

like the

Rebel BurgerOpen

late on Game Days

Go Rebels Go! From Western Drug, Too

Downtown Clyde Park 686-4270

The Shields Valley businesses listed here are proud to root for the Shields

Valley athletes.

Page 15: 2015 Winter Sports

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 15Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

12-11, 12 at Class C Showcase (Lewistown

12-18 at West Yellowstone

12-19 Gardiner

12-22 Twin Bridges

1-2 at Lone Peak

1-8 at Townsend

1-9 at Manhattan Christian

1-14 White Sulphur Springs

1-15 at Harrison/Willow Creek

1-22 West Yellowstone

1-23 at Gardiner

1-28 Lone Peak

1-30 at Sheridan

2-4 Townsend

2-5 at Ennis

2-12 White Sulphur Springs

2-13 Harrison/Willow Creek (Senior Night)

2/17-20 District Tournament (Manhattan Christian)

2/24-27 Division Tournament (Hamilton)

3/10-12 State Tournament (Great Falls)

(Home games in bold)

2015-16 Schedule

Shields Valley Rebel Kylie Kerkaert drives to the basket during a game last season. Kerkaert is one of two returning starters along with Kayla Gagen.

Enterprise photo by Hunter D’Antuono

Lady Rebels welcome new head coach this season

By Thomas E. Watson Enterprise Staff Writer

The Shields Valley girls basketball team is under new leadership this year as Kenzie Scofield takes over for Kristi Swandal. Scofield was the junior varsity coach for the Park High Rangers last season and previ-ously played at Park High as well.

A three-time All-Conference player, two-time All-State player and Central A Conference MVP, Scofield brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Rebels.

That experience and knowledge should go a long way with a young team with only two returning starters from last year’s team. Kayla Gagen and Kylie Kerkaert are Shields Val-ley’s returning starters.

“We’re kind of young, so we’re all getting used to a new system,” Sco-field said. “We’re getting (our young-er players) ready for varsity basket-ball. They’re a great group of girls. They are really buying into every-thing we are teaching them. They get along really well and celebrate each other’s successes. I think it’s going to be a really good season.”

Gagen was a second-team All-Con-ference member, while Kerkaert was first-team All-Conference and also made the All-State team.

“They are seniors this year, so they will be leaders,” said Scofield. “They’ve played a couple of years of varsity ball, so they know what it is about and what the competition is like. I’m expecting them to set the tone, and I know they can do it. So far they’ve been doing a good job with it.”

With three new starters this year, Logan Stafford — a senior — will move into the post while Jen Fairch-ild and Brooke Russell will take over in the backcourt. Gagen has played point guard in the past, but will also spend time as a forward and shooting guard this season.

Scofield wants this team to be hard working and known for its grit.

“I think our girls have the talent and motivation and everything they need to compete for a conference championship,” she said.

Under their new coach, the Rebels hope to use their speed to press on defense and run the fast-break on offense.

Page 16: 2015 Winter Sports

Thursday, December 3, 2015 • e e e e 16Winter sports previeWe e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e e

1415 W. Park St • LivingSton, Montana • 222-8600

PARK HIGHRANGERS

GARDINERBRUINS

SHIELDS VALLEYREBELS

BIG tImBERHERDERS

Lowest upfront priced dealer

in the U.S., Guaranteed!

1500 - 2500 - 3500

B L o c k B U S t e r SaLeS event

Year end

we work on aLL makeS and modeLS

FactorY traIned mecHanIcS

ramCommercial Truck

Season