Poplar’s Boys’ Team Features New Coach This Season

Poplar’s boys’ basketball team has a new look this season with a different coach and needing to replace several starters from last year.

“Our goals are to improve every day and stay healthy,” Poplar Coach Scott Smoker said.

Smoker is a 2006 graduate of Poplar High School. He coached at the junior high level for four seasons and has coached independent teams for about 10 years.

“I’m definitely excited,” Smoker said of coaching the Indians. “A lot of the boys put in a lot of time during the summer.”

Dane Moran, a junior, is the lone returning starter for the Indians.

Other returning players that saw a good amount of varsity time include senior Wilder Bearcub, sophomore Chasen Pribbernow, junior Ryder Olson and junior Bostyn Azure. The Indians received a loss when junior standout Keilen Erickson suffered a knee injury during the summer.

“We just want to improve every week and play our best when the post season comes along,” Smoker said.

The coach sees Harlem, Glasgow and Wolf Point as the pre-season favorites in District 2B.

“Every team we face in the conference will be a tough game,” Smoker said.

The Indians will face St. Ignatius and Box Elder at the Native American Classic in Great Falls to begin the season.

Poplar Basketball Schedule

Dec. 5-6: at Native American Classic, Great Falls.

Dec. 12-13: Class B Tip-off in Lockwood (Lame Deer, Lodge Grass) Dec. 18: Glasgow Dec. 19: at Harlem Jan. 2: at Fairview Jan. 3: Lustre Jan. 9: at Glasgow Jan. 10: at Wolf Point Jan. 16: at Malta Jan. 17: at Plentywood Jan. 23: Harlem Jan. 24: at Lustre Jan. 30: Fairview Feb. 6: Wolf Point Feb. 13: Malta Feb. 19: Plentywood Feb. 25-26: District (Malta) March 4-7: Divisional (Shelby) March 12-14: State (Bozeman)