Horsemen name Mitch Thompson as MVP

Junior selected as All-State, All-Conference

With the same calm, stern face he exhibits on the court, Mitch Thompson rose and accepted his certificate honoring him as one of the best players in the state of Montana in front of the 58 people attending the annual season-ending banquet for the Plains Horsemen basketball team at the Plains school cafeteria last Tuesday evening.

After shaking the coaches' hands, however, he cracked a quick, signature grin before returning to the table of congratulatory teammates.

The 6-foot-1-inch junior is the third Horseman in three years to hold the honor, along with cousin Matt Baker receiving it last year and brother Brandon Thompson the year before.

Thompson, also chosen as a first-team All-Conference player, was voted one of the top two players in the district by the four opposing coaches in the conference, which designates him as an All-State athlete. Although he played the last few weeks of the season with an injured ankle, “He always stepped up,” said John Revier, head coach for the Plains Horsemen. He was also voted the team's Most Valuable Player by his teammates and was one of the seven players to receive a varsity letter.

Senior Paul Green also received awards based on his teammates' votes, taking home Best Offense, Best Defense and Most Improved honors, as well as being chosen as an honorable mention All-Conference player. He shared the Most Improved award with junior Jessie Warren and Best Defense with senior Ian Stokes and sophomore Trent Thompson.

The 6-foot-7-inch “little” brother of Mitch Thompson earned a second-team All-Conference award. This was Trent's first full year of varsity play, but he was expected to play at a high level. “He's a big kid and we put a lot of pressure on him,” said Revier.

Tanner Colombo, a senior and three-year starter, also achieved an honorable mention for All-Conference. Colombo played the entire season with a broken foot, but played hard. “We relied heavily on him,” Revier said.

Sophomore Brian Green and junior Conor Ballantyne lettered, along with Colombo, Paul Green, Stokes, both Thompson brothers, and the three managers: J.C. Arnold, Gabby Reynolds, and Kara Bates, all seniors. Arnold excelled at his job, according to Revier, doing a great job cleaning uniforms and taking statistics. “It's not a glamorous job, but he did a great job,” said Revier.

Although the seniors will be missed, Revier said he is confident in the team for next year. “They've got a good core of players coming back, and I think next year Plains is the team to beat in the conference.”

The freshman and junior varsity squads also ended their season at the banquet. Freshman coach Cory Ovitt thanked his players for a great first year of coaching, and encouraged his team to keep practicing during the off-season.

JV coach Les Carpenter also gave his season-ending speech, saying it's fun in JV because you “never have the same starting line-up and you never know who your opponent has.” He also thanked his players for a successful season, and encouraged them to attend open gym Tuesdays and Thursdays.