Three of four Sanders County girls basketball teams are led by new coaches

Hot Springs team eyeing state berth

The historic state-qualifying performance of Hot Springs volleyball this fall - the school's first state berth in any sport in two decades - has raised the bar for the Savage Heat girls basketball team, and the three remaining Sanders County hoops programs are preparing for the upcoming season under the leadership of new head coaches.

Hot Springs head coach Mike Benson is hoping to translate momentum from an unprecedented state volleyball run into a banner year for his girls basketball squad.

"They're hands-down the hardest working kids I've had as a coach," said Benson, beginning his fourth year as the head coach of the Savage Heat. "This is a special group."

Benson said 21 athletes turned out for basketball, and his varsity players were all part of Hot Springs' standout volleyball program. The team lost just two seniors last year, and Benson said his young squad is quick and plays "bigger than we look."

Benson said realigned districts means his team's schedule this year is weaker; however, he is keeping his athletes focused on the ultimate goal of earning a state berth.

A stinging defeat at the hands of Charlo - a team that went on to take second place at state - and a loss to Victor ended Hot Springs' season prematurely at districts last year, but Benson believes he can build on the school's first taste of state success.

When the Savage Heat punched a ticket to state in November, it was the volleyball program's state debut and the first time Hot Springs had sent a team to state in 20 years.

Hot Springs' first test of the season is scheduled for Dec.. 7-8 at the Granite Tournament. The squad then takes on Plains Dec. 13 and Arlee Dec. 14.

Plains

Walt Hermiston, kicking off his first year as head coach of the Trotters girls basketball team, is working with a group of 17 girls. His lineup includes four seniors - Brittany Mount, Ashton Vulles, Bethany Catalanello and Kelsey Anderson and a few returning players with hoop experience. Mount, Vulles and sophomore Heather Earhart all earned All Conference distinction last year.

Catalanello and newcomer Emma Ehret, a junior, are two of the most aggressive players on the team, said Hermiston. The team, which will be divided into one varsity and one junior varsity squad, includes three freshmen.

"They're a little bit foul prone, but we'll work that out as the season goes on," said Hermiston, who was the Horsemen head coach during the 1990s.

The Trotters play in the Plains Tournament Dec. 13. Matchups with Darby and Superior are next on Plains' calendar, with away games scheduled for Dec. 15 and Dec. 20.

Thompson Falls

Jason Reimer said his first task as the Lady Hawks' head coach is to find the "heart and soul" of his fledgling team.

Reimer, a long-time boys and girls varsity basketball coach at Lustre Christian High School, is beginning his head coaching career at Thompson Falls with a squad of 23 players, and plenty of new faces. The Lady Hawks lost four starters to graduation, and 6-foot Katie Petteys is the only returning senior from last year's core team, said Reimer.

Reimer said, with the exception of Petteys, his team is somewhat small. Strengths of his athletes include quickness, good shooting and a strong work ethic, Reimer said, noting that he is targeting rebounding, new offensive sets, defense and fast breaks.

The Lady Hawks' schedule is challenging, and includes a pair of non-conference showdowns with both Charlo and Florence. Matchups with Plains, Eureka and Whitefish also stand in Thompson Falls' way this season.

"We've got a tough schedule," said Reimer. "We'll have no nights off, that's for sure."

The team split up for the traditional white and blue intra-squad scrimmage Thursday evening, and game ended in a 45-45 tie.

The Lady Hawks travel to the Mission Tournament Dec. 7-8 and face Troy Dec. 13.

Noxon

Ted Miller is kicking off his high school coaching tenure at Noxon with a small but spirited squad. Miller, who has coached basketball for six years and led the Noxon boys junior team squad after moving to town three years ago, is now at the helm of the Noxon High School girls basketball team.

A group of 16 players turned out for basketball this year, and will be divided into varsity and junior varsity teams, said Miller. The group, which began practicing last Monday, is quick but "a little on the short side," he said.

Miller is also leading a young team, comprising only three seniors and two juniors.

"We're young but we have a few veterans that can lead us," Miller said.

The team's toughest district competition this year may be Charlo and Hot Springs, predicted Miller. Noxon's schedule includes some class B schools, but Miller said he looks at the matchups as an opportunity to prepare for conference play.

Miller said he is focusing on turning defense into offense and taking advantage of his squad's agility with different movements on offense to get open.

Noxon kicks off the season at the Chamber Classic Tournament in Plains Thursday and Friday. The team then takes on Two Eagle Friday and Charlo Saturday.