Denver Atkinson of Poplar jokes that he used to never miss a call during basketball games. Of course, that’s back when he was a “ref in the stands” and his sons were playing for Poplar High School. “I reffed from the stands for over 20 years,” Atkinson laughed. “I was a terrible fan. I booed every ref that there was.” His perception, however, changed when his wife challenged

Referee Denver Atkinson jokes with Wolf Point students between whistles at the scrimmage this December.

Wolf Point’s girls’ basketbal coach Jon Kolstad has mostly liked what he has seen since the Wolves began practicing on Dec. 7. “I have great young ladies and they will do great things,” Kolstad said. The Wolves will open their season at home against Dodson on Saturday, Jan. 2 “I like their attitudes,” Kolstad said of his players. “They are a good bunch of kids.” The

Wolf Point’s boys basketball coach Troy Blount said positive progress is being accomplished during the first few weeks of practice. “I’m excited,” Blount said prior to the team’s scrimmage on Saturday, Dec. 19. “It’s a fresh new season.” The Wolf Point boys basketball team enter the campaign with the goal of repeating as district champions. Practice began Monday, Dec. 7.

Wolf Point’s wrestling team will begin its season on Monday, Jan. 4, with a home mixer that is expected to feature Malta and Poplar. The Wolves’ wrestling program started practice on Monday, Dec. 7, with an impressive turnout of 11 wrestlers. Coach Scott Vandall, entering his fourth season as head coach, is excited because this is the largest turnout during that time. “We’re

With a turnout of 24 wrestlers, the Poplar Indians should field a solid squad this wrestling season. “It’s a good turnout for us,” Poplar Coach Jason Frederick said. The Indians return two standouts who placed at the Class B state meet last season. Jase Frederick earned fourth at 113 pounds and Jacob Berger took fourth at 205 pounds. Berger will wrestle at heavyweight this season.