Players to Watch:
Nathan Shelton, Clark Fork
Floyd Nelson, Mullan
Christopher Moore, Kootenai
Written by: Keller Sherman
Clark Fork won the North Star League last season, but since the conference was not even guaranteed a berth to the state tournament, the Wampus Cats had to play Timberline, Weippe in a state play-in game where they dropped a heartbreaker 65-61. Can this year’s conference winner make it to March? The answer is yes. “I am excited that District One has a full state spot this year,” Mullan coach Paul Elston said. “It won't be easily won and I really think any of our teams could come out of the league. I do believe it will be very close this season.”
Clark Fork will be without two key pieces this season. Reigning league player of the year Carter Sanroman and all-conference player Sam Barnett are gone for the Wampus Cats. Nathan Shelton is the only returning honors player and will have to play a significant role if Clark Fork is to repeat.
Mullan will not have co-conference player of the year Luke Trogden, but the Tigers seem to have an advantage from a talent perspective over their league colleagues. Floyd Nelson, Alex Trogden, and Austin Zingler are all back for Mullan. The Tigers will look to capitalize on this returning talent and come away with the conference crown.
Kootenai just could not find the win column last season going 0-12 overall and 0-4 in league play. With a young all-conference talent in Christopher Moore, the Warriors will look to right the ship and challenge for a league title.
The North Star League will likely come down to Clark Fork and Mullan. The Tigers went 0-3 against the Wampus Cats last season losing both regular season meetings and the district championship game. If Mullan wants to win the conference and have a shot at a trip to the state tournament, they will have to get the monkey off their back that is Clark Fork. The question is simple for the Tigers; can they do it?