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Salmon High School
School Info
Conference: 2A Nuclear Conference
Classification: 2A
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Head Coach: Jim Bob Infanger
Years as Head Coach: 3
Previous Experience: Salmon School district, boys JV and Girls Varsity
Record Last Year: 13-8
State Titles: 1964 state champions
Assistant Coaches:
Marc Dahle
Who do you have coming back this year?
Jedd Tibbitts, Sr. 3 guard 6’ 0”
and Derek Smith, Sr. point guard 5’10”
Any Returning Players with Honors?
Jedd Tibbitts and Derek Smith all conference
Any “Key Players” that you lost from last year?
Loss of height with graduating Jayden Infanger and Jacob Shively both good shooters and post players
Do you have any new incoming “impact” players?
Young team needing to step up to support Jed who led the area in 3 point percentage and Derek who led the area in assists.
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Photo By: Shannon Miner |
As a team, what are your offensive strengths?
Jedd and Derek are both great players in their roles. Not much height so a solid trapping defense with fast break has to be implemented.
Offensive areas you hope to improve on over last year:
More fast break with low turnovers and high level of ball screens to open up the outside shooting.
As a team, what are your defensive strengths?
Team speed and playing solid transition defense is a must. We beat Billings Central who was pre-season Montana number one to open up season last year. Beat Butte Pirates in their only loss of the season. Both big wins with solid defense concentrating on defense with good rebounding position.
Defensive Areas you hope to improve on over last year:
Implementing solid footwork as individuals to help improve overall team defense with few break downs and mistakes.
What are you most excited about in regards to this year’s team?
Looking for great team chemistry to provide team offense and defense. Giving a chance for the incoming young players to prove their worth and support as a team. We were two points short of going to state and advancing to play in Boise. We believe that we can make adjustments to prepare for the state tournament where anything can happen.
Not just one leader but with Jedd Tibbitts who is one of the purest shooters in the state and Derek Smith who is one of the best point guards in the state in many categories we believe we can make a run at the state banner.
For the fans, what is the must-see game of the year on your schedule?
Firth is the king of the district. They until proven otherwise will be the team to beat. North Fremont has had some transfer students that make them another pre-season favorite. We look forward inviting Butte Pirates back to Salmon where they lost their only game of the season in Salmon. And also the pre-season opener in Butte Montana where we are the smallest school at the tournament and proved we can play with anyone in Montana as we proved last year defeating both teams favored over us.
What is the ‘X-Factor’ to having success this season as a team?
Team is the X0-factor. We can’t win with two players, the underclassmen coming in have to prove they can step up in their roles and perform at a high level.
If you could change one rule in high school basketball, what would it be?
We play in Montana where all games have three officials. It is better basketball and less frustration with the players where more of the obvious fouls and penalties are called. Three officials would make the game better at each level.
Besides the pay, the fame and the glory, why do you coach high school basketball?
Love to be with the young men and lifts my spirits to see these young men prepare for life ahead. I hope that I can make a difference in their lives. Life ahead is tough with more suicides in Idaho than almost any other state. I hope that I can maybe help them prepare for the rough road ahead.
What makes your school the best place to coach for?
The challenge to do something only one other team has done in Salmon, win a championship and hang a banner.
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