JV boys compile 14-3 hoop record

Coaching a junior varsity team is always a challenge, but Columbia Falls boys coach Dan Block made the best of the situation during the 2008-09 basketball season. The Wildcat JV posted an impressive 14-3 record, finishing the season with an 11-game win streak.

What always makes it a challenge is determining the number of quarters in each game that several players can be used — since five Wildcats played on both the JV and varsity teams this season. They were juniors Matt Triplett and Josiah Begay, sophomores Kaleb Johnson and Nick Emerson, and freshman Austin Barth.

With the development of Barth and Johnson, Block could only use them for a couple of quarters in each JV game the last half of the season.

Triplett was the leading scorer for the Wildcat JV. Johnson was the leader in rebounding, and Barth was second in scoring and rebounding. Sophomore Devyn Rocker was the team leader in assists.

Rebounding and defense were strengths of the JV team this season, according to Block. The Cats outrebounded their opponents in every game but one. The Cats also had good overall depth. Either 10 or 11 players scored in six games.

"We scored a lot off our defense," Block said. "Our half-court trap was excellent."

Late in the season, the Cats allowed more than 40 points in a game only once.

"Inside was our strength," Block said of the CFHS offense. "We tried to work inside out. We had pretty good post play."

That area was led by Barth, Johnson and junior Nathan Trueblood. Block said Emerson did a "great job" as the point guard. Triplett was the most consistent outside shooter. Block said sophomore Chris King was a 'scrappy hustler" off the bench, and junior Tim Spencer "does a lot of little things' well. Junior Patric Jessat and sophomore Cole Jones were also contributors.

Begay was also a valuable member of the team, but his season ended early due to a knee injury.

Taking care of the basketball was a weakness early, but that area improved, according to Block.

"We had a high-octane defense. It was hard to settle down offensively," the coach said.

"This was a hard-working team that was fun to coach," Block said. "Hopefully they'll put in time in the offseason and take the next step. The kids who put the time in showed up on the court."