Tigers return deep roster for new season

It would possibly be impossible to better the 19-5 overall record the St. Regis Tigers boys basketball team posted last season.

After all, they had on their roster a player head coach Jesse Allan described as “one of the best players to ever wear a St. Regis Jersey”. 

That player is John Pruitt, who graduated this past spring and headed to Rocky Mountain College in Billings after a stellar career in St. Regis, including the 2023-24 season when he led the Tigers in scoring and rebounding en route to the sparkling record that included a District 14C tournament title. 

So it was double-take time at a recent St. Regis pre-season practice when the kid out on the floor was draining threes from every angle with a silky-smooth shot that seemed familiar. 

It was Mr. Pruitt, who was on Thanksgiving break and came to help his alma mater at practice. 

And while they, or anyone else for that matter, could use Pruitt, weep no tears for the Tigers, who are loaded for the upcoming season. 

Led by sophomore guard Conner Lulis, a 6-0 guard/forward with a Pruitt-like shot, the Tigers are poised to make another run at berth in the state finals later this year. 

There will be a whole lot of basketball played between now and the March state Class C championships, but this Tigers team seems built for just such a run. 

Joining Lulis in the lineup are four talented seniors and a smooth junior forward, all of whom are backed up by some outstanding depth the likes of which St. Regis has not always had. 

In fact, finding the right combinations during preseason practice has been the main goal of Allan and assistant coach Brandon Iverson. 

“We have a solid group of 10 guys who have all played meaningful varsity minutes over the past few years,” Allan said. “We pride ourselves on playing fast and unselfish, this team should be fun to watch”. 

Among those expected to see considerable playing time this season are senior Ayden Rael, a high-energy guard, Kaleb Park, a guard/forward with a penchant for lighting up opponents with high arcing threes, 5-8 shooting guard Hunter Stolla, who also has a deadly eye from outside, and Kaden Sanders, a solid 6-2 power forward who gives the Tigers scoring and rebounding punch inside. 

Rebounding, Allan said, will be a point of emphasis as the season begins and progresses. 

“We are always undersized, so rebounding is critical for us to have success and limit other teams’ opportunities”, Allan said. 

And under their coach’s insistent guidance, the emphasis will also be on the smothering, high-energy defense St. Regis has been known for. 

This year’s challenge will be even more daunting now that the 14C and 13C districts have combined into the “mega 13C”. 

“We hope to continue playing well and sitting toward the top of the 13C”, Allan added. “With 12 teams, playing in some new gyms, and only seeing teams once before districts, the season will be a little different than years past”. 

Allan said both Hot Springs and Noxon will be formidable due to their size and athleticism.  He also noted Lincoln, which returns all its players from last year’s 18-4 record in the 13C will all be tough opponents, as will Valley Christian, Drummond and Philipsburg. 

“Overall, I think combining the districts should lead to a really competitive season for everyone one,” Allan said. “It’s going to be crucial to come ready to play each night for sure”. 

St. Regis opens its season this Friday with a one-day appearance (as a fill-in team) at the Hamilton Tip-off tournament.  They will then take part in the Cascade tournament Dec 13-14 before opening their home schedule December 17 against the Frenchtown freshman team. 

    St. Regis players line up for running drills during an early morning practice this past week. The Tigers open the season at the Hamilton Tip-off tourney this Friday. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)