Ennis Mustangs
Record last year: 11-9
Coach: Randy Stephens (third year at Ennis, 27-18)
Returning starters: Ben Elsbernd, 6-0, Sr., guard; Jackson Goodman, 6-3, So., center.
Other key players: Dalyn Wingard, 6-0, Jr., forward; Matt Johnerson, 6-2, So., forward; Blake McKitrick, 5-9, So., guard.
Coach Stephens says: “This year’s team is young and relatively inexperienced. Our conference is primarily made up of similar players. Those teams that execute well, play the hardest and play the smartest will have the most success.’’
Gardiner Bruins
Record last year: 13-13
Coach: Michael Leach (3rd year at Gardiner, 30-24)
Returning starters: Ben Broadhead, 5-10, Sr., guard; Jacob Bateson, 6-3, Sr., forward.
Other key players: Michael Bent, 6-4, Sr., forward; Hayden Darr, 5-10, Jr., guard; Devon Kennedy, 5-11, Jr., guard; Eddie Johnson, 6-4, Jr., forward.
Coach Leach says: “We are young in terms of varsity minutes, but have athletic smalls and bigs, most of whom have been in our system for three years now. We will continue to work each night on controlling the tempo and our trademark defense should keep us in ball games, allowing us to grow each week thus giving us an opportunity to get to divisionals.’’
Harrison-Willow Creek Wildcats
Record last year: 11-8
Coach: Beez Lucero (3rd year at Harrison-Willow Creek, 19-16)
Returning starters: Ryan McCarty, 6-2, Jr., forward; Jake Young, 6-4, Sr., center.
Other key players: Ryan Hamilton, 5-11, Jr., guard; Jerrad Todd, 6-0, Jr., guard; Gus Jacobson, 6-3, Sr., center; Luke Jacobson, 5-11, Jr., forward; Cody McGurk, 6-4, So., forward.
Coach Lucero says: “The conference will take on a new look this year with a lot of talented seniors graduating in 2009. We have a solid group of kids returning that understand the system.’’
Lima Bears
Record last year: 0-20
Coach: Jordan Featherman (1st year at Lima)
Returning starters: Chase Kluesner, forward; Hagen Hurst, guard; Nate Sutton, forward.
Other key players: Zach Thornton, guard; Chris Sutton, guard; Seth Montgomery, guard; Kacey Grafton, forward; Jake Wilding, forward.
Coach Featherman says: “We’re an improving bunch, but still young. One thing we do well is hustle. And that is a great place to start with a young team.’’
West Yellowstone Wolverines
Record last year: 11-11
Coach: Brian Smith (2nd year, 11-11)
Returning starters: Brandon Bagley, Sr., guard.
Other key players: Travis Royer, Sr., center; Shane Crow, Sr., center; Jeremy Salvador, Jr., guard; John Stallings, So., guard; Jeremy Huidekiper, So., center.
Coach Smith says: “We are a little young and inexperienced, but we are working hard and getting better every day. Hopefully, we will surprise some people this year.’’
