Thompson Falls boys basketball team has high hopes
Thompson Falls boys basketball coach Jake Mickelson (gray shirt) demonstrates technique with Plains transfer Kade Pardee (blue jersey). (Chuck Bandel/Valley Press)
Optimism is aplenty in the Thompson Falls Blue Hawks boys basketball program heading into the delayed start of a new season.
They are tall and talented, with a solid core of experienced seniors and two key rivals fueling the optimistic outlook.
“Our guards are tall and athletic and we should rebound much better than we have in the past,” said head coach Jake Mickelson. “We have good, experienced upperclassmen who are hungry for success leading the charge.”
The height begins with senior post Cody Burke, a standout football offensive linemen who brings his 6-foot-5-inch, 270-pound frame to the basketball court. Last year Burke earned second team all-conference honors for his work in the paint and is expected to be a dominant force again this year.
“We have the big fella back in the middle,” coach Mickelson beamed. “And we have some new players who will help out.”
Among those newcomers are two transfers from Sanders County rival Plains. Joining the Blue Hawks this season are lanky guards Kade Pardee and Tristan Subatch. The pair had outstanding seasons last year in a successful campaign with the Horsemen.
Another newcomer is out-of-state transfer Donte Micheli, a senior guard who, along with Pardee and Subatch create a tall and talented trio of guards who can all handle the ball and possess outstanding leaping abilities.
Also in the mix is senior guard Roman Sparks, who recently guided the Blue Hawks football team to the second round of the state playoffs as quarterback.
The backcourt will average well over six feet per player.
“I like our athleticism and team speed,” Mickelson said during a break in practice last week. “We have a chance to be pretty good.”
The Blue Hawks up and down year during the 2019-20 campaign produced a 10-15 overall record. Despite that, they were able to advance to the Western B Divisional tournament where they placed fourth. They were 3-3 in the 7B conference last season.
Coach Mickelson is confident this season will be different.
“This is a team looking to improve on our fourth place finish at divisionals last year,” he said. “We are extremely grateful to be having the opportunity to play this season during the pandemic and are not taking anything for granted.
“Each game will be a blessing.”