The Flathead Braves basketball team ended last year with a surprising two-game winning streak on the road to qualify them for the state tournament, and with three returning starters, the ‘97-’98 team is off to a good start, winning their first two games 67-65 against CMR, and 54-39 against Libby. “I think we gained a lot of confidence,” said Braves’ head coach Joe Antonietti of the end of last year’s season. “We learned exuberance and it did the kids good to win those two games to qualify for the tournament.” Senior Toby Winters, who stepped up his performance during the end of last season, thinks the key to success lies in regular season play. “As opposed to last year, we hope to have a good regular season so we don’t have to play in the playoffs,” said Winters. For some returning seniors, this basketball season marks the end of their high school athletic careers, and they hope to go out with a bang. “I’ll miss it,” said senior Luke Davey. “I think I’ll remember most going to the state tournament last year because we went in as underdogs and made it.” “I’d like to go out winning,” said Winters. “The state title is our goal. Not just making it to the game, but winning it.” The ’97-’98 boys basketball season began Dec. 11 with the Braves’ first game against CMR. Antonietti already sees strengths in this years’ team. “We have a little bit of quickness and a little bit of size,” said Antonietti. Although the Braves have three senior returning starters, their greatest weakness right now may be depth. In tryouts, Antonietti searched for people to contribute off the bench. “We’re trying to find eight players to contribute,” said Antonietti. “Right now we’re looking at a lot of kids to fill those eight spots.” The Braves played C-Falls Thursday after press time, and play Great Falls High today. Like all teams, this Braves basketball team hopes to have a successful season, but Antonietti said it’s still too early for predictions. “It’s really too early to tell,” said Antonietti. “All the way, it looks real even and we have to be ready to play every night.” |
