'I don't want to set any limits on these guys': Young Bulldogs eager to prove themselves

SANDPOINT — The sophomore class made its mark on the football field this fall, and the boys basketball team will be relying on a similar impact on the court this winter.

Five of the 11 players on the varsity roster are sophomores. The Bulldogs may be young, but they are far from inexperienced.

Last season, four players suffered season-ending injuries allowing a group of eager freshmen to see plenty of playing time. That group — made up of Rusty Lee, Arie VanDenBerg, Randy Lane, Colin Roos and Parker Pettit — is back and head coach Wade Engelson sees a bright future ahead for them.

“We’re going to be very athletic with lots of potential,” the third-year coach said.

The injuries last season were a blessing and a curse, Engelson said.

“Last year it was a double-edged sword,” he said. “I felt really bad for all the players that were injured … and those injuries created inconsistencies for us. That’s just what’s going to happen when that occurs and you're throwing the young guys into the deep end of the swimming pool without any floaties.”

One of the players who was injured last season was Darren Bailey. Just minutes into the opening game last winter, Bailey dislocated his left kneecap and tore a ligament in his knee as well, ending his season.

The recovery process was long and strenuous, but after five months of physical therapy, Bailey was finally able to run at full speed, but still wears a brace for support.

Sitting on the bench for every game last year and thinking about what could have been was emotionally draining, Bailey said. But throughout his rehab, he kept his eye on the light at the end of the tunnel and his motivation level couldn’t be higher.

“It’s pushing me a lot because I feel like I’m trying to make up for a lost season,” he said. “I’m trying to do everything that I can to make the most out of my senior year.”

Last season, Sandpoint was loaded with seniors — six to be exact. This year, the Bulldogs will only have three — Bailey, Stone Lee and Elijah Larson.

Despite the amount of underclassmen, Bailey, a team captain, isn’t worried about there being a lack of leadership on this squad. He said he started forming a tight bond with this sophomore class when they were eighth graders and he has no problem communicating with them on and off the court.

The two other team captains are VanDenBerg and junior Jacob Eldridge.

VanDenBerg was in the starting lineup early last season as a freshman and was a key contributor every night.

VanDenBerg said stepping in the spotlight in his first season was a bit nerve racking, but whenever he drained a big shot the appreciation he received from the seniors made him feel right at home.

VanDenBerg was a sharpshooter beyond the arc at times last season and he said he focused on attacking the basket and honing his shot during the offseason.

“I feel like my game relies a lot on my shot, so I just want to dial it in because last year I was kind of inconsistent,” he said.

Eldridge also saw plenty of action last season and has continued to ascend during the offseason. Prior to last year, Eldridge said he was a little hesitant to find his own shot, but that has changed.

“I think I became more confident on the court,” he said. “I realized I could compete with [the older players].”

Speaking of the offseason, the Bulldogs had a limited one due to the pandemic. Although, unlike the girls team, the boys saw another team this summer.

Summer league tournaments were canceled, but the Bulldogs got some games in against Lakeland and Timberlake. That’s more than some teams can say.

Sandpoint also got some practices and skill-building sessions in for about a month and a half.

Since Engelson took over the program, he has preached the importance of work ethic and staying committed during the offseason. He saw that this summer.

“The guys we have, it’s a dedicated group,” he said.

The Bulldogs will need to stay dedicated in order to navigate a grueling schedule this winter. The 5A and 4A Inland Empire Leagues are combined for this season, meaning Sandpoint will face Lewiston, Coeur d’Alene, Lake City, Post Falls, Lakeland and Moscow — twice each — this season.

Besides Post Falls, the Bulldogs typically play all those teams in a normal season, but this year is different. The league is expected to be historically good.

“In my opinion, the basketball in the IEL this year is going to be the best basketball across the board,” Engelson said.

Post Falls lost in the 2020 5A title game while Moscow took runner-up in the 4A tourney. Lake City made it to state in 5A with a squad loaded with freshmen and Lewiston was ranked in 5A polls for most of last season.

Rival Lakeland has also taken a big step forward.

“Lakeland believes they have the best team they’ve ever had in the history of their high school and I would not argue with them,” Engelson said.

The schedule is relentless and unforgiving. There will be no nights off for the Bulldogs, but they aren’t shying away from it.

“It’s going to be a big challenge, but it’s a challenge we welcome,” Engelson said, “and it’s a challenge we’re looking forward to because you don’t get good unless you go out and play good teams and beat them. That’s the mindset of our guys. They want to win, they want to be successful and they are willing to put in the work.”

Engelson said he is confident he has the coaching staff and players to make some noise this winter. The Bulldogs have been working on establishing a mindset that is founded on the belief that they are never out of a game no matter the deficit, and Engelson wants opponents to know they have to be at their best to beat Sandpoint.

“I think we want to get to a point where when we walk on the basketball court, we have a fighter's chance no matter who we play,” he said. “I’m looking forward to surprising some of the people in this league and after a while, I hope that we’re not a surprise.”

Sandpoint’s versatility will be key to their success this season. Engelson said all 11 of his players are athletic, interchangeable and have plenty of room for growth.

Last season, all-league players Kobe Banks and Ryan Roos were the leading scorers. This year, a number of different players could step up and fill those roles on any given night, Engelson said.

The Bulldogs’ fast paced, aggressive style of play will rely on that depth to stay fresh and keep the full-court press firing on all cylinders all game long.

“The nice thing is we got a whole bunch of guys that can become excellent basketball players,” Engelson said.

Eldridge, who is 6-foot-2, said the athleticism of the Bulldogs will allow them to switch on screens seamlessly and guard every position on the court.

“I feel like the style of play we run suits this team really well,” Bailey said.

Last season, the Bulldogs went 10-12 and finished winless in league play for a fourth straight season. Eldridge and Bailey said beating Lakeland and Moscow is a mental hurdle this program needs to overcome, and they believe if they leave everything on the court, they will do just that.

Eldridge has been playing basketball his whole life and he said being named a captain was recognition for his hard work over the years.

“It feels good to finally be a leader instead of a follower,” he said.

A season wasn’t a given this winter and the players are grateful to be on the court doing what they love.

“It gives some normalcy to life,” Eldridge said.

“I'm stoked, but it’s definitely going to be rough with no fans,” VanDenBerg said.

Given the tough competition the Bulldogs will see all season, there might be nights where the team plays at its best and comes up just short. VanDenBerg said the team can’t be defined by wins and losses and needs to focus on getting better every game.

“I just want to show people we’re a good team and we’ll be coming at them,” he said.

In order to get back to state for the first time since 2009, Sandpoint will need to find a way to knock off Lakeland and Moscow. Bailey said a district title would be a special way to cap his SHS career.

“It would be huge and I got a great bunch of guys to do it with,” he said.

Engelson said this team is capable of accomplishing anything they set their mind to this season.

“I love the potential of this team and I have no idea how far this team will go,” he said. “I don’t want to set any limits on these guys.”

The Bulldogs open the season at Timberlake on Thursday, Dec. 3.