Belgrade News - Winter Sports Preview 2023

Wishing all area teams success in the upcoming season!

• ChildCare • Smoothie Bar • PerSonal trainerS • BaSketBall Court • hydromaSSage

A life�me of healthy choices starts with the ones you make today. Bozeman Health Pediatrics partners with families, providing the building blocks they need to ensure bright futures for their children. From birth to adolescence, we offer comprehensive care to form healthy habits at every stage along the way. Here for all student athletes.

Call today to schedule a same-day appointment! Belgrade + Bozeman 406-414-4400

InsI de Th Is specIal secTIon

Belgrade Panthers

• 6-7 ... Boys Basketball

• 8-9 ... Girls Basketball

• 10-11 ... Wrestling

• 12-13 ... Swimming

Manhattan Tigers

• 14-15 ... Boys Basketball

• 16-17 ... Girls Basketball

• 18-19 ... Wrestling

Manhattan Christian Eagles

• 20-21 ... Boys Basketball

• 22-23 ... Girls Basketball

Three Forks Wolves

• 24-25 ... Boys Basketball

• 26-27 ... Girls Basketball

• 28-29 ... Wrestling

Winter Sports Preview

Layout/Design, Stories &

Photos: Dan Chesnet

Advertising: Kraig Rieger

©2023 Adams Publishing Group

LUCK PANTHER

BHS seeking positive steps forward in ‘23-24

Entering his fourth season at the helm of Belgrade’s basketball program, Luke Powers feels this year’s team might be the most wellrounded he’s had to date.

The Panthers return three starters and several others with varsity experience from a team that won just three games a year ago, thus expectations have been raised.

about it. I really think we can be a nice team.

“I do most definitely think that we’re going to improve on those three wins. I would be very disappointed if we were down in that category.”

“I think we’re right there and able to compete with everyone,” said Powers. “The goal was to build this thing from the foundation up and this is the fourth year, and we’re excited

Belgrade graduated four seniors from a year ago, including starters Tre’Vion Randle and Kade Schlauch. Randle led the team with 11.5 points and 2.1 assists per game.

“Two big contributors in Tre and Kade, but at the same time we return just a plethora of

continued on next page

experience,” said Powers. “We’ll have eight seniors this year. I don’t know when the last time Belgrade had eight seniors was. I’m really excited about the group because they were my first group of freshmen when I first got to Belgrade.”

Among the senior class are returning starters Braden Clyde, Daniel Marinko and Rylan McCollim. Powers noted that Clyde, a point guard, has grown 5-inches in the offseason and boasts a high IQ and strong court awareness.

“He is as smart out on the floor as most coaches are on the sideline. He really understands the game,” Powers said. “And then in the post Rylan McCollim and Daniel Marinko, I would venture to guess that they are as good of post players as anyone in the state. They really are both special

athletic players. Daniel’s a little bit more of a brawler, but then he has great touch, he can step out and shoot the three. And Rylan, I’ve been a head basketball coach for 15 years, he has the best touch of any kid that I’ve ever had in 15 years, including another three as an assistant.”

McCollim averaged 6.7 rebounds a year ago, while Markino grabbed 6.3 per game.

Other key returners with varsity experience are seniors Lino Barron, Nick Gawarkiewicz, Wilson Goodhue, and Isaac Stock. Juniors Grady Andrews, Nick Bray, Jacob Morales and Ryder Tolley will contribute on the varsity as well. “All juniors and seniors,” Powers noted. “The program is healthy. This is the first time we can say that.”

Belgrade also picked up a transfer from Butte in Bradley

Adreon.

“I think he’s going to be a contributor for us too at that guard position,” said Powers.

While Powers feels the team will be able to compete with anyone in the Eastern AA, the Panthers open the season with a tough non-conference slate of games in December.

Belgrade hosts defending state champion Missoula Hellgate on Dec. 13 and then has road games at Butte (Dec. 15) and Missoula Sentinel (Dec. 21) in addition to hosting Helena Capital (Dec. 19), which won state in 2022.

“We have four really competitive non-conference games and we’re kind of excited to see where we stand,” Powers said. “And then after Christmas we kick off with the Great Falls schools, and I really think we’re right there with everyone.”

Nugent hired to take helm of Belgrade girls

Editor’s note: Belgrade head coach Rob Nugent did not respond for this winter sports preview section prior to the Belgrade News’ deadline. Below is a condensed story that was printed when he was hired in May.

Pending school board approval at the May 15 meeting, Rob Nugent has been selected at the new head girls’ basketball coach at Belgrade High.

district.

Nugent will be tasked with trying to turnaround a program that has struggled mightily since moving up to Class AA in 201920.

Belgrade Activities Director Toby Robinson noted that Nugent has a “vast amount of experience” as a head coach in the college ranks and was a “dark horse” already within the school

“Really excited for the change to get the kids going,” said Robinson. “That’s the big thing, I just want the kids to be excited about feeling positive about turning this around. I think we can turn it around.”

Nugent replaces Erin Nolte, who resigned after four seasons at the helm in March. Nolte had

continued on next page

Belgrade Basketball

the difficult task of guiding the Panthers into AA and the program was just 8-67 under her direction, including a 2-17 record this past season.

Nugent hopes to create a renewed culture of hard work and commitment to excellence within the program as well as provide an environment where players feel valued.

“I’m certainly ready, there’s no doubt about it,” he said of turning around the program. “But if you focus on your win and loss record to start that’s not really in your complete control. You have some control over that, there’s no question, but not complete control. So, you want to build a culture that focuses on what you can control and ultimately if you do that, then winning becomes a byproduct of that.”

Nugent is an ex-Marine and

currently teaches eighth grade history at Belgrade Middle School. Robinson noted he’s well respected among fellow teachers and students, and is a perfect fit for the program.

“He’s a very engaged ex-Marine, so he’s got some discipline behind him. So that helps too,” Robinson said. “Just the fact that we have a teacher in district, and a successful teacher, respected teacher, is very impressive.”

Nugent hasn’t coached since leaving Washington College in 2015 but decided to throw his name in the hat for the head coaching job after being approached by a handful of eighth graders. The students made a Google slide presentation asking for him to coach their eighth grade team.

“Eighth grade didn’t need anymore coaches,” Nugent said.

“And then I had a few of those girls come back when the high school job opened and said, ‘We would really like you to apply.’”

With their encouragement, Nugent submitted his application.

“It’s very flattering for sure,” he said. “I’m in this, I’ve always been in this even when I was in the college level, for people. I teach for people more than anything else … Without sports I would have a totally different life and I wanted to give that back, and they wanted me. So that and my love for basketball, it’s not the only reason I applied, but it certainly was a big factor in making the final decision when I was looking at it.”

In the coming days Nugent plans to meet with returning players and last year’s assistant coaches.

“I’m excited, I look forward to it,” he said. “I’m fired up.”

BHS wrestling reloads; ready for ‘23-24 season

More than a dozen wrestlers graduated from Belgrade’s wrestling teams last year, including a state champion. But head coach Bryce Weatherston likes the mix of veterans and new athletes this winter.

There were more than 35 grapplers — 26 boys and 10 girls — participating in preseason practices and expectations remain high.

“Obviously, we’re one of the smaller double A schools. I feel like we can always do better, but it’s accepting to have that coach to athlete-ratio, it’s always nice as well.”

On the boys side, the Panthers lost several key varsity wrestlers, including two-time state champion Carter Schmidt, who won the 138-pound title last year. He’s now wrestling at the University of Oklahoma.

“Not a massive team, but I think that first year I came in we had 18 and that’s including the girls,” said Weatherston.

Belgrade also lost state qualifiers Wallace Baldwin and

continued on next page

Logan Linn, among other veterans. They helped the team post an 18-4 dual record and place seventh at state.

“Essentially, we’re losing what our starting dual lineup was last year,” said Weatherston. “So even though some of those guys didn’t qualify for state, a lot of those guys helped us win duals last year.”

Some of the those other guys included Blake Eatman, Christian Lingenfelter and Hunter Rowan.

The good news is that the team returns two-time state champion Mason Gutenberger, who won the 126-pound title, and first-time champion KyLee Lindsley for the girls. Lindsley won the 165-pound crown a year ago.

In addition, state placers Nolan Brown, Ben Rodgers and Cody Westlake return. Brown was the state runner up at 113, while Rodgers and Westlake placed third

at 205 and 103, respectively.

“Those guys obviously, returning state placers are huge, whether they’re winning state titles or not,” said Weatherston.

While the girls lost Norah Larson and Chi Gushi to graduation, the other six members of last year’s team are back, said Weatherston. That includes seniors Allie Murphy and Destiny Taylor and junior Dekota Carter-Ochoa.

“Those girls are tough,” said Weatherston. “Any of those girls that are on that team right now could make a run at state and make the podium.”

Program-wide, Weatherston has been impressed with the team’s work ethic thus far, and added there is plenty of potential for success.

“I think what it comes down to is if we get kids that want to listen and want to get better, we have

every opportunity to get better as the season progresses. Even though we’re young, I do think we’re going to be able to compete,” he said. “Some of those top three finishes at state and all-class tournaments might be a little bit out of range at this moment, but you bet, we’re going to put our best foot forward with a young team and we’re going to be scrappy.”

Weatherston praised his coaching staff for getting the team prepared for the season.

“I truly believe that the coaching staff we’ve put together, hats off to them,” he said. “Everyone has something to add and I take a lot of pride in the people that I constantly bug to be on this coaching staff. I trust them with my coaching job entirely.”

Belgrade opens the season with duals at Missoula Big Sky and Missoula Hellgate on Dec. 2.

dual Schedule

s Belgrade’s swim program begins just its third season, there is a new head coach at the helm. A former prep and collegiate swimmer, Kat Hall brings a wealth of experience to the team and she’ll have just over a dozen athletes to work with this winter.

Ten of them are returners and overall there are eight girls and five boys.

who stepped down in mid-June after two seasons at the helm to pursue another opportunity out of state. Flikkema’s daughter, Brianne, also departed the program after competing at the state meet a year ago.

“I’d always love more to come out, but I’m pretty happy my first season that we’ve carried over what we had last year plus a few. I think that’s great,” Hall said.

Hall replaces Caty Flikkema,

Brianne Flikkema and Troy Kendall, who graduated, became the team’s first-ever state placers, and the team set nine program records at the season finale last year.

While those two are gone, the swimmers who are back have been working hard, said Hall.

continued on next page

“I’m just so impressed with the work ethic on my team,” she said. “Being a new coach that was something I really wanted to see without me pushing it. Everyone single one of them has been working incredibly hard.”

Among the key returners are senior Kody Jensen for the boys and sophomore AJ Lilyquist for the girls.

“I think that AJ Lilyquist is looking really strong in all of her races,” said Hall. “And one of my seniors, Kody Jensen, is going to be a strong lead for the boys.”

Mario Vanni is the only other senior for the boys, and the squad is rounded out by junior Robert McNeill, and sophomores Carter Lorash and Carl Schuneman.

The senior class for the girls includes Jaidan Dressler and Annette Cevasco, an out-of-state transfer.

“She’s also flying through the water too,” Hall said of Cevasco. “So I’m expecting good performances out of them.”

The girls team is rounded out by junior Sumin Kwon, sophomore Nicole Berger and freshmen Morgan Hardy and Eva Marcial.

“We have a solid team of sophomores and freshmen who are coming in that I think are going to make a really strong team now and in the future,” said Hall. “Our seniors, I think it’s going to be a strong performance from them too.”

Hall noted she’s continuing an aspect that coach Flikkema had begun last year, specific weight training for each athlete.

“We’re doing a lot of specialized lifting to a swimmer’s particular races,” she said. “So if you’re a butterflier, I have you lifting certain type of exercises and weights that will match your

particular stroke. And I think that will play out later into the season as we build those muscles.”

In addition, conditioning has been a focal point during preseason workouts.

“I told my team and I’d tell this to anyone who asked, I don’t want to lose because we’re tired,” said Hall. “So we are hardcore working on our cardio to ensure that we don’t lose because we’re tired. So we’re doing a lot to build up our cardio.”

Hall added that she’s wants her athletes to be better people at the end of the season than they were at the start. That character building will hopefully pay off at meets.

“I’m not sure who’s really going to top out yet, but we’ll kind of see what happens as the season goes,” Hall said. “I’m looking forward to the first meet to see where we kind of have a base line.”

We’re proud to be a member of the Manhattan community... Friendly

• Safe

• A ordable Where friendships are built to last!

Tigers’ boys seeking to build on recent success

With the entire starting lineup back from a year ago, expectations are high for Manhattan heading into the 2023-24 season.

The majority of the varsity were also members of the football team, which reached the State B championship game this past fall. The deep postseason run has put the Tigers a little behind schedule, which second-year head coach Mike Deming was expecting.

“It’s a different type of conditioning. They gave their entire heart and focus and determination to the staff of the

football team and that’s all they focused on this last fall,” he said.

“I think their hard work was evident by getting to the state championship game and having an unbelievable game where I think they outplayed the other team. So it’s going to take us a little bit of time just to mentally get converted over to basketball.” Manhattan lost to FlorenceCarlton 21-14 in overtime, and Deming noted it was a physical contest to cap a 13-game slate. Thus, he added, it’s going to take

continued on next page

• 24 hr St

• Studio, 1 BR & 2 BR

• Independent Cottage Rentals

• Respite Stay Available

• Emergency Response Team

• Scheduled Transportation M

406.282.7488

100

a little bit of time to get into “basketball mode”.

“They’re definitely not there right now. So it’s going to take some time,” said Deming. “Everybody else has been doing open gyms and conditioning, but the football guys, and even the cross country guys, it’s going to take a little time for them to adjust to basketball now.”

Once they do settle in, Manhattan boasts a talented squad led by seniors Jace Deming and Callin Fenno, juniors Michael Stewart and Chance Fenno; and sophomore Sam Stewart, who’s coming off knee surgery in early October.

“He’s good to go,” said coach Deming. “We just have to gradually work him up to conditioning and take care of his body. We don’t need to ramp it up right now, we just need to gradually get him up to speed.”

Callin Fenno earned All-State and first team allconference honors in District 5B a year ago. Michael Stewart and Jace Deming received first team and second team honors, respectively.

Callin Fenno led the team in scoring with 14.7 points per game and was second in rebounds with 5.6. He also led the team in assists, steals and free throw percentage.

Michael Stewart averaged 14.5 points and 4.2 rebounds per game. In addition, he broke the school record for 3-pointers in a season with 74.

Jace Deming, a point guard, ranked second on the team with 3.2 assists and was third in rebounds with 3.1 per game.

Led by those three, the Tigers posted a 13-8 record and reached the divisional tournament.

“We bring back a lot of guys from last year that will know the system in year two, and that’s exciting for us,” said coach

Game Schedule

Deming. “We had freshmen and sophomores that were critical to our success last year and they’re back.”

With a fairly veteran crew returning, coach Deming noted their success rides on cutting down on mistakes, making good decisions, and displaying their growth.

“I know we have pretty good offensive firepower on this team. We have a lot of guys that can shoot the outside shot and that’s a bonus,” he said. “But what I think we need to do better is just show that we’re more experienced, just a year experienced more.

“Last year we didn’t have any seniors and now we have two seniors. Last year we were playing juniors and sophomores, so hopefully this year, and older team, hopefully our maturity and experience is going to show a little bit better.”

In his first two years at the helm, Manhattan’s girls have made positive strides, and reached the divisional tournament a year ago.

Thus, Brad Ballantyne likes direction his team is headed entering the 2023-24 season with an experienced crew, including four returning starters. But there is still work to be done.

well in conference and district tournament.”

“I think we’re still at the point where we look at the program internally and try to build from there,” Ballantyne said. “Sure, I have goals, talked the girls a little bit about it to try and do

The Tigers took a big step last year, reaching the championship game of the District 5B Tournament and winning a game at the Southern B Divisional during a 15-8 campaign. The team lost one starter (Miah Fenno), two seniors, and a junior who transferred, from last year’s team. With twodozen athletes out this winter, Ballantyne likes the mix of leadership and youth.

Among the returning veterans

continued on next page

We would like to extend our appreciation to our Gallatin Valley adverTisers & readers We appreciate you and ask our readers to continue to support these fine businesses.

are seniors Paige Ballantyne, Esther Halverson, Haley Halvorsen and Gracie Millimen.

Millimen, who recently signed to play college ball at Carroll College, averaged 16 points and 10 rebounds per game a year ago as a post player en route to earning All-State and first team all-conference honors.

“Gracie’s a great kid and as far as work ethic and being motivated,” said coach Ballantyne. “She’s what you want … she will just flat work her butt off, and she has.”

Fenno was the only other player to receive postseason accolades as a second team selection at guard. The team’s other varsity returners are juniors Camdyn

Ballantyne. “Paige, my daughter, she saw a little bit of minutes towards the end of the season. We were a little banged up, but nonetheless, she got some good varsity minutes at the end of the season, district tournament and then divisionals.”

With a veteran crew leading the way, coach Ballantyne acknowledged that the potential for success is high.

“I look internally and to get this team to buy into what we’re doing,” he said. “Defensively, I think they have bought in and we can play pretty good defense. We have to improve on the offensive end and when we do that we’re unselfish and share the ball.

“I think we could experience

While a final schedule had yet to be announced prior to the Belgrade News’ deadline, Manhattan is once again hosting its annual two-day tournament on Dec. 8-9 to tipoff the season. Coach Ballantyne said he’d like to see a few things from his team on opening weekend.

“I’d like to see them play good defense and I’d like to see them play as a team offensively,” he said. “Share the ball, work together and if we can do that, then I think we set ourselves up because if you look at the next three games it’s Big Timber, Jefferson and Ennis. So we move right into the conference and those are three tough ones before Christmas. I think it could be a real good indicator of where we’re headed.”

The Tigers play at Jefferson and Big Timber Dec. 15 and 21 and host Ennis on Dec. 19.

Student athletes compete with pride eir hometown and state. We e the same pride, because our omise is simple: only local, only Montana. Discover the difference of Montana’s Brand of Banking

Numbers up as Tigers head into ‘23-24 season

There’s an uptick of participation this winter for Manhattan’s wrestling teams, much to the delight of head coach Patrick Hutchins.

With more than a dozen athletes out for the program, including a handful of newcomers, the Tigers are hoping to field a competitive team. And, Hutchins is hopeful more will join the program.

season we only had four wrestlers at the first practice and then we picked up another four at various points throughout the season, so we’re starting this year with quite a bit more than we started with last year.”

“As always, I hold out hope that this will grow,” he said. “Right now on the boys team I have nine and I have four for the girls. At the beginning of last

Among the returners for the boys are juniors Cooper Smith and Calvin Stanley, and sophomores Kyler Bailey and Grant Holen. Smith advanced to state as a freshman, but failed to make it out of the divisional tournament a year ago.

continued on next page

“He made it his freshman year and then last year I think maybe just put a little bit too much pressure on himself to perform and ended up not having the divisional tournament that he wanted to have,” said Hutchins. “But I think he’s motivated and ready to get back at it this year.”

A newcomer who is expected to make an immediate impact is George Stenberg. The junior was a two-way starter for the football team this past fall and was a member of the basketball team last year.

“It’s my hope that we can still convince a couple other football players that aren’t already doing basketball to come in and work out with the wrestling team,” said Hutchins.

Other members of the team are senior Fernando Rascon; sophomore Grant Holen; and

Manhattan Wrestling

freshmen Taysen Meech, Liam Ortman and Tyson Pavlik.

“We’ve got some freshmen coming in that have been with me in little guy and the middle school program,” said Hutchins.

The lone returner who competed at the state tournament last year is Payton Johnson. She is one of two juniors — the other is Jade Bailey — for the girls. Freshmen Dani Larson and Natalie Stewart are newcomers.

“I’m happy to see so many out,” said Hutchins. “It’s always the most exciting time of the year for me is getting wrestling going. Ready to get back at it and everybody seems like they’re having fun and working hard. Hopefully it will be a good season.”

Bailey joined the team midseason a year ago, but dealt with consistent knee pain. It

wasn’t until after the season that it was determined she had been competing on a torn ACL.

“She just had some nagging knee pain and we were like, ‘We can brace it, we can pad it, but you need to get it looked at,’” said Hutchins. “So she went through all of wrestling season, went through half of track season before it just became too much to manage, and finally got and MRI. Turns out her ACL was torn. So that’s something that happened, I would suppose, summer or fall of last year.”

Bailey is still recovering and may not see competition at all this season, Hutchins said. But she is actively practicing.

“The challenge with her right now is making sure she doesn’t do too much,” said Hutchins.

Manhattan opens the season

Dec. 8-9 at the Whitehall Duals.

Christian reloads for Class C title defense

It’s been a tremendous run for Manhattan Christian over the past two years. The Eagles have boasted a 53-1 record and won back-to-back state Class C championships.

While the team lost some big time talent from last year’s team, which finished with a 26-1 record, Christian has reloaded for another run at a title.

Still, fourth-year head coach Layne Glaus said those championship seasons are in the past and this year’s team is working with a clean slate.

“I think every season is by

itself, so I think every season is new. I don’t like to compare to previous seasons,” he said. “We talk about with our boys that we haven’t done anything yet. We got to come and work in practice and over time we can kind of create our identity.”

The Eagles no longer have All-State performers Seth Amunrud and Tebarek Hill. Amunrud led the team in scoring (20.9 ppg) and rebounds (7.0) a year ago, while Hill averaged 9.8 points per game.

“We lost a really good class.

continued on next page

But those other guys got to compete against that group of seniors all last year, which was a good thing,” said Glaus. “We do have guys that played key roles at state and they have that experience. I’m excited for that, but at the same time, big shoes to fill and at this point we just have to put a lot of work in. It’s them showing up every day at practice and coming ready to go.”

Those other guys include senior Mason Venema and junior Christian Triemstra. Venema earned All-State honors after averaging 16.9 points and 5 rebounds per game a year ago, while Triemstra was a second team all-conference selection after averaging 10.1 ppg.

Juniors Rance Hamilton and Jack Scott also return for the varsity.

“That junior group, we have a

number of guys in that junior class that played key minutes for us last year,” said Glaus. “Christian, Rance and Jack being the three that definitely got a lot of minutes at the varsity level and played in that state tournament.”

Juniors Isaac Hoekema and Carter VanDyken are also expected to see key minutes for the varsity.

“(VanDyken) played a lot of JV, played really well on JV, so he’ll step in a play a key role for us as well,” said Glaus.

While the overall program numbers are down slightly, Glaus was pleased with the offseason effort of his players. He noted they “put time in” and hit the weight room.

“They got a lot better,” Glaus said. “And at the beginning of each season it’s about trying to fit the new pieces together. It’ll take

time.”

While Glaus acknowledged there is some pressure that comes with being the two-time defending champions, he noted the season is about more than wins and losses.

“We do address our identity and what we should put our worth in. That all starts with our faith here, which makes it kind of nice. Takes a lot of pressure off,” he said. “That type of mindset could lead to putting pressure on the outcomes, the wins and losses. That’s not really that important to us.

“We do have goals for sure. And our goals are new each year with the new group, but at the same time we don’t really put our worth in state championships. That’s great, the wins, they’re great, but we feel they’re a by-product of acting the right way, competing at a high level, serving each other, those type of things.”

Eagles begin new era with Triemstra at helm

Manhattan Christian tips off the 2023-24 season with a new head coach and plenty of optimism following an appearance at state a year ago.

Rod Triemstra was recently hired to take over the reins of the program and replaces Jeff Bellach, who stepped down after five years as head coach. The Eagles posted a 22-5 record last year, which included reaching the semifinals of the state Class C tournament.

expectations remain high for the program.

“I know that a lot of people around have kind of had lower expectations for this team just because of what we lost,” he said. “But my expectations are that we’re going to be a good team. We work hard, we’re having fun and I see a lot of potential to get better as the season goes on and the goal is always to get back to state, so we’re keeping that as our goal. We’ll kind of play it and see how the year goes.”

While three starters are gone from a year ago, Triemstra said

continued on next page

The Eagles lost All-State forward Ava Bellach and All-State guard Grace Aamot to graduation, and Katelyn Van Kirk is forgoing her senior season to enroll early at Boise State University to play volleyball.

Ava Bellach led the team in scoring with 14.7 points per game and ranked second in rebounds with 6.0 per game. Aamot averaged 8.8 ppg.

The good news is that Christian returns senior post Miranda Wyatt, who earned second team all-conference honors last year. She averaged 7.9 ppg.

In addition, juniors Bella Triemstra and Sam Veltkamp return to the varsity.

“Obviously replacing Ava is going to be tough because of her shooting and her leadership, and Grace was our ball handler and kind of our steady point guard,”

said coach Triemstra. “But we’ve got Miranda and Bella and Sam that have quite a bit of experience coming back from a state tournament team.”

Freshman Karissa Van Kirk returns as well after seeing time last year as an eighth grader. She provides the Eagles additional height in the paint along with the 6-foot-3 Wyatt.

“I’m looking forward to her too,” coach said Triemstra. “She works hard, she’s got a nice shot.”

New to the varsity are transfers Gracie Honey (Malta) and Madeline Skillman (Manhattan). Honey will likely see a prominent role at point guard.

“Basketball’s kind of her favorite sport and she’ll be one of our point guards and she can handle the ball pretty well and shoot,” said coach Triemstra. “So I think that’s going to be big for us

because it was going to be tough to replace with Grace going away.”

Overall, there are 14 athletes out for the program, and coach Triemstra expects to field both varsity and JV squads.

“We’ll have several girls that are going to swing and do both,” he said. We’ve got some smaller classes and it looks like in the next couple years we should have more numbers with the girls playing middle school ball right now.”

Christian tips off the season Dec. 2 hosting Sheridan.

“I’m feeling pretty good about where we’re at,” said coach Triemstra. “We’ve got a lot of growing to do together. We’re both trying, the girls and me, trying to figure out each other and what I want to do and different from what Jeff was doing. So it’s different terms, but practices have been going good.”

fter winning a state championship to cap the 2021-22 season, not much was expected from Three Forks a year ago. The Wolves had graduated a veteran crew from the title team and had to replace the entire starting lineup.

But Three Forks was the surprise team of the conference and won the District 5B Tournament en route to advancing to divisional for a sixth consecutive year. To head coach Terry Hauser, it wasn’t a shock that his team was once again a contender.

“Heck, I always have high

expectations. Even last year I did,” he said. “I didn’t know it would happen as quickly as it did. I knew we had some talent coming up for this year and next year. Just thought that the future was bright, and you’re right, we did surprise some teams because we had some young talent and the kids just worked so hard. They’re still doing that and as long as they do that, I have high expectations for them.”

Three Forks returns its entire starting lineup — a first for a Hauser coached team — and

continued on next page

expectations are certainly high heading into this winter.

“We had a year where we only had about two graduate. We only had one senior Owen Long and Austin Allen’s junior year, so that would be the closest (to returning the entire starting lineup),” said Hauser. “We had one senior that year and Finn Tesoro came over and Mikey (O’Dell). But I’ve never returned every guy. It’s makes it nice, practices are smooth. We’re as far as long now as we were two months into the season last year.”

Among the returners for the Wolves are senior Shane Williams and junior Dylan Swenson, who each earned second team all-conference honors last year. The duo helped the team reach the semifinals of the divisional tournament during a 12-11 season.

Also returning are seniors Sam Tesoro, Colten Hayder and Tallyn

McCauley, and junior Hunter Feddes. Those four were key contributors last year.

“Pretty senior loaded, but some younger kids too,” said Hauser. “That junior class is pretty loaded with three or four guys.”

Hauser also noted that freshman Kanon Reichman, a 6-3 post, will give the Wolves a much needed presence in the paint.

Overall, there were just under 30 athletes participating in preseason practices.

“It’s about the right number, it’s about perfect. So I was happy about that,” said Hauser. “Didn’t have to make any cuts and all the kids are working hard. It’s a good number to have.”

After winning a district title last year, is there added pressure to succeed this season?

“It’s like I’ve told everyone else. It’s not like everyone else isn’t

Student athletes par ticipating in y our passions this season. We’re suppor ting you in athletics, in the classroom, and beyond. Thanks for all your hard work.

bringing a lot of kids back too,” said Hauser. “I think Manhattan only graduated one or two kids and Columbus graduated maybe a couple kids, but a big part of their team’s back. Our division, especially and our district, has only gotten better too. Just because we have everybody back doesn’t mean that we’re going to have success right away.”

Three Forks tips of the season hosting Harrison on Dec. 2.

“Mainly want to see camaraderie,” Hauser said of the early portion of the schedule.

“I want to see the kids get along and having fun on the floor. One thing that can ruin things when you have a lot of guys back is guys wanting to do too much and guys wanting to take it on their own. Some of it’s excitement, but I guess I just hope for chemistry to see us build on that.”

Wolves to field a young, but hungry squad in ‘23-24

For the second straight season, Three Forks will field a young team. But second-year head coach Lacy Noble noted there is plenty of talent within the program.

The freshman class in particular, she said, could have a long-term impact.

“Those freshmen have some potential to contribute to the program and really push those girls in practice,” Noble said. “That’s what I’m looking for right now is I think they’re just going to improve our program by pushing the girls to work harder in practice and just compete.”

There are six freshmen out

for the program and 21 overall. While numbers are down a little from last year, Three Forks will still field three teams this season.

“We’ll get a little creative with quarters and the girls will have to play a lot,” said Noble. “I’ll take it. It think it’s pretty good numbers for a girls program.”

The Wolves lost just two players from last year’s team in Brianna Warren and Brielle Davis. But senior post Eva Parker opted not to play, which takes away a big presence in the paint.

Noble has plenty to work with,

continued on next page

Good Luck All Area Teams!

No matter where you start, we’ll be with you every step of the way Supporting Gallatin County winter sports is our privilege based on your choice of community banking.

including a strong corps of guards. Among that group is sophomore Maddie Tesoro, who earned second team all-conference honors in District 5B last year.

Juniors Tanaya Hauser and Bella Jones were also key players at the guard positions and along with Tesoro can attack a defense both inside and out. All three measure under 5-foot-5.

“Any of those three girls can shoot the ball well from outside,” said Noble. “They drive like they’re bigger — they drive like a big girl and not like their little tiny size.”

With a young team — there are just two seniors in Fallon Page and Zandra Potts — and likely being undersized in the majority of games, Noble plans to attack opponents with an uptempo pace.

“I was loaded with sophomores last year, so now I’m loaded with juniors. I’m just kind of waiting

to see where these juniors fall into place,” she said. “I’ve got some girls that could contribute big to the program, but right now my talent is really in those small girls so we’re going to be pushing the ball. We’re going to have to because we’re going to be outsized, and figuring out how to play defensively outsized.”

The freshman class has been pushing the upperclassmen during preseason practices, Noble said, and could potentially see varsity playing time as well.

“My freshmen have showed up to play and they are competitive right now,” she said. “They’re pushing those junior girls.”

Three Forks tips off the season Dec. 5 at West Yellowstone. Noble feels the contest will be a good gauge of where here team stands.

“We played them this summer and we beat them, but that’s never

a really good indication of what’s going to happen,” she said. “That’s a good quality Class C team I think for us to start with to just get our feet wet with some of these girls.”

The Wolves will then travel to Shelby Dec. 8-9 for games against Fairfield and Cut Bank.

“Last year it was a really good matchup for us. I’m hoping it will be the same again,” Noble said of Fairfield. “And then we play Cut Bank and I’m not sure what Cut Bank has … I think it will show us where the girls are a little bit more.”

Three Forks will play seven games prior to Christmas break.

“I kind of want to see what shape we’re in, if we can play the type of ball that I’m hoping we can this season,” said Noble. “And in December I’m going to see if those freshman are going to push the envelope with those juniors.”

Game Schedule

Numbers up as Three Forks wrestling enters Class A

Following a brief, but very successful run in Class B, Three Forks’ wrestling team is moving up to Class A this winter as part of a co-op with Ennis.

Numbers are up for the program with about 25 boys (no girls) participating in preseason practices. But head coach Nye Howey said it could be a tough season against bigger teams and stronger competition in the new classification.

year, Class A schedule, Class A divisional tournament, Class A state tournament,” he said. “So we as coaches have to work a lot harder to get these kids prepared for that and that part of our job is having them prepared to go to the divisional tournament and wrestle to the best of their ability to get a bunch through to the state tournament.”

“It’s going to be difficult this year because with our co-op with Ennis we did move to Class A, so we are wrestling Class A this

Last year the Montana High School Association passed a rule that any co-op with it’s existing numbers would have to compete in a corresponding classification.

continued on next page

Meaning, Three Forks was forced to moved up to Class A if the coop remained intact.

“With us and Ennis, we kept our co-op and we moved up to Class A,” said Howey.

The Wolves will compete in the Eastern A Divisional with the top eight wrestlers in each weight class advancing to state.

“We are a younger bunch of kids and we don’t have all those numbers to pick and choose from to make our varsity squad (like other programs), so our younger kids are going to have to step up and really wrestle their rear-ends off to get punched through to the state tournament from that divisional, the Eastern A division,” said Howey. “That’s our jobs as coaches, and my coaching staff, as far as I’m concerned, is one of the best around to get them prepared for that and to get punched

through to the state tournament.”

Three Forks is coming off a season in which three grapplers won state titles and the team earned a runner up finish. It’s the first time the program brought home a silver trophy from state.

But two of those state champions — Dylan Kamps and Levi Wagner — graduated along with a third place finisher.

“That group of seniors that we lost from last year, they’re pretty tough to replace,” said Howey. “They’re all point-getters, all state qualifiers … those are all points that we have to replace, but with this bunch it shouldn’t be real difficult to replace those ones.”

Three Forks returns plenty of talent led by two-time state champion Cole Rogers, who won the 120-pound title last year. He’ll be joined by joined by fellow senior Gabe Hungerford, junior

Logan Douma, and sophomores Brummie Boggus and Mathias Hogue.

Each of those wrestlers qualified for state a year ago with Houge placing fifth at 126.

“All of my upperclassmen, they’re all very talented kids ready to show what they got, and show them the ropes,” said Howey. “And they’re showing these younger kids how things operate.”

Also returning for the Wolves is freshman Wyatt Hart-Barker. He qualified for state as an eighth grader.

Overall, the Wolves have four seniors, four juniors, 14 underclassmen, and two eighth graders.

“I’m feeling really good about that,” Howey said. “A lot of young kids, so that’s always a good sign.”

The Wolves open the season Dec. 1-2 at the Cascade Invite.

DECEMBER

JANUARY

FEBRUARY