Shultz named 4A IEL Player of the Year

by Eric Plummer Sports Editor
| March 10, 2011 6:00 AM

SANDPOINT — A diverse offensive repertoire and well-rounded game led both the Moscow and Lakeland boys basketball coaches to select Sandpoint senior Blaine Shultz as the Player of the Year, one of three Bulldogs honored as the 4A Inland Empire League boys basketball team was announced on Monday, as voted on by the league’s coaches.

Shultz led the Bulldogs with 11.4 points per game to go with 3.6 rebounds, carrying the offensive load during stretches with four 20 plus point games and another two 19 point outbursts this season. Sandpoint coach Tyler Haynes didn’t even need to lobby for his player.

“Both coaches voted for him, they felt he had a very consistent year,” said Haynes of his leading scorer. “They realized how integral he was to what we do — press, rebounding, defense, just how valuable he was.”

Senior Cole Fuhrman was also named to the team, averaging 10 points and three rebounds a game while eclipsing the 20 point mark twice. Fuhrman will represent Sandpoint on Saturday at the 2011 Idaho State All-Star basketball games at NIC. The girls tip off at 1 p.m., while the boys are slated for 3:30 p.m.

“Cole had some big offensive nights,” said Haynes of his small forward.

Also earning a spot on the team was junior Jackson Olin, who averaged 11 points and three rebounds per game, also scoring more than 20 two times. His play in the district tournament caught the attention of the coaches, and he’ll be one of the marquee players in the league next year.

“The coaches were very impressed with how much he lifted his game at districts,” said Haynes. “This year he had an expanded role and you saw that development at districts. Next year, he’ll be taking it to the next level.”

2011 All-Inland Empire League 4A boys basketball team

Player of the Year: Blaine Shultz, Sr., Sandpoint.
Newcomer of the Year: Josh Helbling, Jr., Moscow.
Coach of the Year: Tracy Donaldson, Moscow.
IEL Team: (5): Lane Brooks, Jr., Moscow; Hunter Arno, Sr., Lakeland; Cole Fuhrman, Sr., Sandpoint; Roby Jung, Jr., Moscow; Jackson Olin, Jr., Sandpoint.