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Raft River High School
School Info
Conference: 1AD1 Snake River Conference
Classification: 1A D1
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Head Coach: Brian Poole
Years as Head Coach: 3rd season
Previous Experience: 8 years Head, 3 years assistant
Record Last Year: 4-17
State Titles: 1976
Assistant Coaches:
Randy Spaeth, Kade Powers
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Team Preview:
Written by: Sven Alskog
It might look a lot like a football team on the hardwood in Malta this winter for Head Coach Brian Poole.
Leaders of the football team such as Bruen Higley, Bowdrie Ottley and Haden Boden will all make the transition into the gym once their highly successful season on the gridiron for the Trojans is complete.
Success was hard to come by for the team on the basketball court last season, with a 4-17 record the end result.
Defensively, Raft River was largely effective, limiting opposing teams to less than 60 points in all but three of their games.
Unfortunately for the Trojans, the defensive efforts would be overshadowed by an inability to get the ball in the basket, themselves scoring over 60 just once and over 50 four times. In an attempt to rectify their struggles on the offensive side of the floor, getting the ball into the lane will become a priority, while also making an attempt to create easy offense by forcing turnovers on the defensive end.
“[We’re going to play] aggressive man-to-man defense [and be] looking to attack the basket on offense,” said Poole.
Other players who will make an impact for Raft River include forward Brandon Harper, along with two incoming players in the form of Kaden and Kolten Hitt, both sophomores. Junior forward Austin Tuckett should also receive some playing time off the bench.
With so many multi-sport participants on the Trojan basketball team, Poole has plenty of athleticism at his disposal.
“[We] return a solid group that have good size and are athletic,” he stated.
The intimidating presences of the bruisers Higley and Ottley will force opposing teams to play more big men than they may normally be accustomed to. If Raft River is to be successful this season it will be important for their play on the perimeter to improve.
Something to watch for with the Trojans on the hardwood will be any signs of wear from what will most likely be a football season that goes deep into November as Raft River tries to take a state title back to Malta.
The winning mentality built up on the gridiron with all of the multi-sport athletes should help to provide the basketball team with a winning attitude as they try to improve upon their fortunes from last season in the new campaign.
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