Poplar Boys Look Forward To Strong Campaign
With several key contributors back from a season ago, the Poplar boys’ basketball squad looks to make plenty of noise this season.
“We have pretty much everybody back,” Poplar coach Gib Medicine Cloud said.
Leading the group of returning players is All-State performer Delray Lilley. Senior Geordy Medicine Cloud and junior Kaniel Ricker were each second team All-Conference selections last season.
Other solid players back for the Indians include senior William Youngman, junior Walker Burshia and senior Kameron Reum.
Lilley and Medicine Cloud will each be starting for the fourth year while Ricker will start for his third season.
“They were young at one point. Time flies,” coach Medicine Cloud said of the team’s leadership. “We bring a lot of experience with our guard play.”
Poplar is enjoying a turnout of 35 players this season.
“It’s the largest we’ve had for a few years,” coach Medicine Cloud said.
The Indians will feature an up-tempo attack and a lot of full-court defensive pressure.
“We can get up and down the court,” the coach said.
Inside, the Indians are solid with Burshia at 6-1 and Cetan Growing Thunder at 6-5.
Malta is expected to be one of the favorites in District 2B this season.
The division should be strong with several quality squads in District 1B as well.
“It doesn’t matter who wins the district, it’s about who is playing the last game on Saturday night at the state tournament,” coach Medicine Cloud said.
Poplar Boys’ Basketball Schedule
Dec. 1-2: at Native American Classic in Browning Dec. 5: Culbertson Dec. 8-9: Class B Tip-off in Lockwood Dec. 16: Harlem Dec. 19: Froid/Lake Jan. 12: at Glasgow Jan. 13: Fairview Jan. 19: Malta Jan. 20: at Wolf Point Jan. 23: at Culbertson Jan. 25: at Froid/Lake Jan. 27: at Harlem Feb. 2: Glasgow Feb. 3: at Fairview Feb. 9: at Malta Feb. 10: Wolf Point Feb. 14-17: District (Wolf Point) Feb. 22-24: Divisional (Malta) March 7-9: State (Billings)
