Wolves Prepare To Tip-off Boys’ Basketball Season
Wolf Point’s boys’ basketball squad will open its season with two games at the Native American Classic in Browning.
The Wolves will face Hays-Lodge Pole at 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1, and then meet Browning’s JVs at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2.
Wolf Point coach Cole Hanks has been pleased with pre-season practices.
“They have been going good,” Hanks said. “They have been physical. It’s good to have the numbers. I’m excited for the year.”
A year after advancing to the Class B state semi-final round, Wolf Point looks to keep the winning tradition going this campaign.
The Wolves lost four starters due to graduation and those players accounted for between 45-50 points per game last season.
“We will need some young kids to step up and see if they can take their place,” Hanks said.
Returning players with the most varsity experience include senior Peyton Summers, senior Lennoxx Lilley, senior Jack Kolstad and senior Cade Stafne. Summers, Lilley and Stafne each started at times last year.
Other varsity players back include senior Charlie Page, junior Rebel Mays, freshman Roper Flaten and junior Chief Stafne. The Wolves had a turnout of 41 players on the first day of practice.
Hanks, who is assisted by Rodney Paulson and Martin Weeks, said defense should be a strength for the Wolves.
Wolf Point’s line-up will be taller and longer than in most seasons.
“We have a few bigger guys, which is unusual for us,” Hanks said.
The tallest player for the Wolves is Cade Stafne at 6-5.
The coach noted the Wolves have some talent coming up, including players in the freshman and eighth grade classes.
“It’s just if they can develop,” Hanks said. “I’m excited. I’m expecting good things.”
Wolf Point will see two new opponents during its regular-season schedule with games against new conference rival Fairview along with Class C opponent Circle.
“I think we will surprise some people as the year goes on,” Hanks said.
His pre-season favorites in the league include Malta, Harlem, Poplar and Glasgow.
“Our conference will be pretty tough,” Hanks said. “Fairview is an unknown. It will be a fun year. We have to improve every game.”
Wolf Point Boys’ Basketball Schedule
Dec. 1-2: Native American Classic (Browning) Dec. 5: at Sidney Dec. 8-9: at Lockwood Class B Tip-off Dec. 21: at Glasgow Dec. 22: Scobey Jan. 12: Malta Jan. 13: Harlem Jan. 19: at Fairview Jan. 20: Poplar Jan. 23: at Circle Jan. 26: at Scobey Jan. 27: Glasgow Feb. 2: at Malta Feb. 3: at Harlem Feb. 8: at Poplar Feb. 9: Fairview Feb. 14-17: District (Wolf Point) Feb. 23-25: Divisional (Malta) March 7-9: State (Billings)
