Boys team big on height, talent

This year's boys basketball team has one quest: Make it back to the state tourney and this time, win it all.

The boys fell just short last year — losing the state A championship to Dillon by four points in the last few moments of the game, 54-50. Most of last year's team is coming back, and they're taller and more athletic than ever.

But coach Cary Finberg cautions there are no automatics. It's a game-by-game process of getting better. There have been past seasons with high expectations and teams that have fallen short. Some of these players were on those teams. They know they have to work hard. No one is going to hand it to them.

The Cats will get tested early and often. They'll get a taste of Dillon the second game of the season in the Western A tip-off tourney. They also face AA schools Flathead, Missoula Sentinel, Missoula Big Sky and Glacier.

That's the way Finberg likes it.

"What they learned last year … they need to use to motivate themselves this year," he said.

This is the tallest team Finberg has ever coached. Sophomore Austin Barth is 6-5 with a 6-8 wingspan, junior Kaleb Johnson is 6-4, Nick Emerson is 6-4 and just about everyone else is 6 feet or better.

Finberg said Emerson, who didn't see much playing time last year, improved greatly over the summer.

"He had a great off season," he said. "He'll surprise a lot of people."

Rounding out the starters are seniors Mitchell Wassam, 6-2, Michael Williams 6-1 and guard Kyle Howell. Everyone is a scorer on any given night. Most can dunk the ball and Williams is known for his outside shooting.

The only hole is Matt Triplett, a scrappy senior guard who broke his thumb during the football season. He's not expected to be back until January, Finberg said. Chris King, Devyn Rocker and Parker Johnson are all expected to come off the bench and contribute.

Conference play should be interesting. Whitefish and Polson have new coaches, so Finberg expects new looks from those squads, and Libby is always tough, especially in their home gym.

The Cats open the season with Frenchtown at home Dec. 5. Game time is 5 p.m.

Finberg is assisted by Dan Block, Skip Schroeder and Greg Bauska.