Clark Fork sets sights on state tournament
<p>Pictured front row, from left to right: Runner Reeves, Brandan Bowen, Javier Rebollo, Conorey Vogel, Jake Aguirre and Jaden Taylor. Middle row: Brennan Brooks, Jacob Edstrom, John Regalia, Hunter Boudousquie and Geoff Boudousquie. Back row: Nick Oas, Eich Anderson, Tristin Bristol, Nyk Jones, Spencer Jeffres. Not pictured: Ben Bahr. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)</p>
CLARK FORK — There are a lot of questions surrounding the Clark Fork boys basketball team as they tip off the 2013-14 season on Saturday.
Can they finally break through and beat league nemesis Kootenai and punch their ticket to state?
Who will replace all-league players Zack Klein and Joey Hazinsky, the two leading scorers from last season?
How will four new starters adjust to the varsity level?
Luckily for coach Corey Vogel, there are no such questions surrounding senior post Tristin Bristol, who will look to lead the Wampus Cats to state. Bristol, a 6-foot-3 beast on the blocks, didn’t hesitate when asked what his goal was heading into his senior season.
“Beating Kootenai,” answered Bristol, who no doubt remembers last year’s 57-54 loss to the Warriors in the 1A Division II championship game. “We’ve lost to them by a couple of points in the last two years.”
Bristol was a rebounding machine last season, eclipsing 13 boards in a game 12 times, and registering a host of double-doubles in the process. As the lone returning starter, Vogel figures to lean on the broad shoulders of Bristol for not just on-court production, but leadership.
“He’s looking really good,” said Vogel. “His footwork has improved immensely, and I can see him leading us in points and rebounds.”
Running the show will be point guard Brandan Bowen, fresh off a stellar season as a running back on the football team. The cat-quick guard brings a wealth of athleticism and versatility to the floor.
“He has the ability to adjust, be multi-dimensional. He can drive, shoot or pass,” described Vogel. “He’s developed into the leader, the field general.”
Sophomore Jake Aguirre will start at shooting guard, bringing speed and good shooting and ball handling to the floor.
A stable of bigs, all 6-2 or taller, will help take some of the attention off of Bristol down low. Junior Goeffrey Boudousquie, sophomore Eich Anderson and senior Ben Bahr add depth to a strong front court, prompting Vogel to call it the strength of the team.
“We’ll be able to pound the ball to our bigs and do something with it,” said Vogel. “They can all shoot. Ben and Eich can shoot threes. I can rotate any of them and not lose anything.”
While the season didn’t end well for the Wampus Cats, there were some bright spots, including a season sweep of Lakeside, whose only two North Star League losses came against the Cats. Clark Fork went 5-3 in league play, and their 6-15 record is a bit deceiving, as they often play up against 3A competition.
Senior 6-3 post Nick Oas and senior guards Jaden Taylor and Nyk Jones will likely see minutes off the bench. Vogel feels his team has great potential, and early in practice has like the rhythm they’re playing with.
Once again, the season figures to come down to a matchup against Kootenai, and Vogel feels his team is primed to step up to the challenge.
“We’re so close, and the boys are working so hard. They want it, they’ve got a taste of winning it all,” said Vogel. “Who’s going to step up and be the difference?”
The Cats tip off the season on Saturday night against Coeur d’Alene Charter.