PLAYERS TO WATCH

Amari Printz-Hay, Clark Fork
Lilly Reuter, Clark Fork
Eloise Shelton, Clark Fork
Avah Blankenship, Mullan
Autumn Charvez, Mullan

Written by: Brandon Baney

When you take a look at the teams competing in this year’s North Star League, you’ll immediately notice a lack of bodies. Not a lack of size, necessarily, but just athletes in general. Reigning league champ Clark Fork appears to be in decent shape, but Kootenai has punted on the season after low turnout, and Mullan almost suffered a similar fate.

The Tigers have been navigating a tightrope as one of Idaho’s smallest schools. A promising volleyball season was derailed just two weeks before the district tournament, when Mullan had to cancel the remainder of the campaign due to not having enough players available.

Sherry Leitz has been coaching girls’ basketball at Mullan for more than 25 years, and she’s seen large classes, small classes, and everything in between. This year was a real nail-biter, though, as the school had to petition with the Idaho High School Activities Association to allow three eighth-graders to compete at the varsity level this year. The petition was approved, and so Mullan will give it a go this year with an incredibly young squad. “With the possibility of not having a season due to lack of numbers, I am excited that the three eighth-grade girls are going to be able to play and we will be able to have a season,” says Leitz.

Coach Leitz does return two starters from a year ago in senior Autumn Charvez and sophomore Avah Blankenship. “Both Autumn and Avah are incredible inside shooters,” says Leitz. They’ll pair with the three eighth-graders; forward Kaydence Elliott, and guards Raelynn Kostelich and Caylee Crandall. “We’re going to need teamwork and guidance from the older girls,” says Leitz.

As for Clark Fork, the Wampus Cats enter 2023-24 as the undisputed favorites in the North Star League. Coach Jordan Adams welcomes back reigning league MVP Eloise Shelton, along with All-League selections Lilly Reuter and Amari Printz-Hay. In the Wampus Cats’ season opener against Priest River, Printz-Hay tallied a double-double of 11 points and 16 rebounds.

Junior Hannah Thompson, and sophomores Amie Matteson and Piper Scarlett will take on larger roles this season for Clark Fork, as well.

This year, the North Star League will receive half of a bid to state, meaning the district champion will have to also defeat the third place finisher from District 5-6 in a state tournament play-in game to advance to Boise.