Sports at a Glance - All stories by Jean Schurman
Welcome to the All-Valley Classic
There is one more chance to see some of the best players in the Bitterroot take to the basketball court. The Bitterroot Kiwanis 12th Annual All-Valley Classic will be held on Friday, March 12 at Dale Berry Court at Hamilton High School. The event is a fund raiser for the Kiwanis who use the proceeds for scholarships for seniors in the valley.
The girls' game will begin at 6:30 and the boys' game will follow. In addition there is a three-point shoot-out for both boys and girls. Some great dunking can be seen during the warm-ups for the boys.
But not just basketball players are recognized. Players of the year in football, softball and volleyball will be recognized. Individual champions in track, tennis and wrestling are also recognized at this time. Capping the awards are two special awards, the Athlete of the Year and the Stephanie Gonzales Memorial Sportsmanship Award. This award is given to a boy and a girl who may not be involved in sports but work hard at helping others and always have a good attitude.
One of the coaches, Bobby Schaefer, is the first coach who has also played in the Classic. Schaefer, a graduate of Victor, played in the Classic in 1998. He is now the coach of the Pirates.
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All Valley Teams
Girls Light
Coach Brent Pollari -- Corvallis
Second year at the helm of the Blue Devils
Kaci Gaub -- Florence, senior post
Gaub has been a force in the paint for the Lady Falcons this year. At 6'3", she's one of the tallest around.
Angela Vandeburgh -- Florence, senior guard
Vandeburgh did a good job at the point position for Florence this year. Her crisp passing and ability to see the court was a real plus.
Melissa Pohland -- Stevensville, senior forward
Although she played all season with a touchy knee, Pohland worked hard underneath.
Beth Weidow -- Corvallis, senior forward
Weidow plays on-the-floor basketball, lunging for balls and scrapping for every rebound. She leaves it all on the court.
Vanessa Bleibtrey -- Corvallis, senior guard
Bleibtrey was the heart of the Blue Devils this year. She can shoot, rebound and take the ball down the floor. She was the leading scorer for the Blue Devils.
Cali Reinke -- Corvallis, senior guard
Reinke plays hard and fast on the court. She's one who will be all over a ball handler.
Sami Blough -- Victor, senior post
The heart and soul of the Pirate team. Blough loves the game of basketball and it shows.
BreeAnna Hochhalter -- Victor, sophomore guard
This young Lady Pirate came a long way this year in skill and confidence. Her shooting improved as the season progressed and she should be one to watch in the next two years.
Erin Dean -- Florence, sophomore guard
A smile was just a part of her uniform but she could be tough too. Her three point shooting pulled a couple of games out for the Lady Falcons.
Katie Mildenberger -- Hamilton, junior guard
She's tough, she's fast, and she loves to play ball. Next year will be her year.
Girls Dark
Coach Heather Brinkman -- First year at Victor
Heather Martin -- Florence, junior forward
An unselfish player who will pass up a shot to another player. Martin works hard underneath for position and is sound fundamentally.
Liz Ashworth -- Florence, junior guard
One look at Ashworth and you just know she is a defender. Ashworth can also step back and knock down a trey upon occasion.
Jonna Davis -- Stevensville, senior guard
Davis was the leading scorer for the Lady 'Jackets. She can step back and drop three pointers left and right -- and she makes a pretty good squirrel sound too.
Devon Monta -- Victor, senior forward
A quiet, hardworking player who is often overlooked. Monta doesn't shoot often but is deadly when she does.
Evanie Squires -- Corvallis, senior post
Squires is a force under the basket where she holds her own and snags her fair share of rebounds.
Shonda Bradshaw -- Corvallis, junior, forward
Three pointers are in her blood but she can move quickly to the basket too.
Laura Hall -- Darby, junior post
Hall is one of the hardest working players around. Her confidence has grown and she's going to be one to watch next year.
Whitney Banks -- Darby, junior guard
She's speedy, she's deadly from beyond the arc, and she sees the court as well as anyone around. This bomber will make you take notice.
Sarah Lyons -- Hamilton, senior forward
Lyons can move under the basket to grab a rebound or step back and sink a trey.
Nicole Lawson -- Hamilton, senior post
Lawson works hard in the paint to defend the shot.
Amy Hamilton -- Darby, junior forward
As Hamilton's confidence grew this year, so did her scoring. She moves well under the basket and will be another fun Lady Tiger to watch next year.
Boys Light
Coach Bobby Schaefer -- First year at Victor, played in the Classic in 1998.
Travis Browne -- Stevensville, junior guard
One of the most athletic players around who can slice to the basket or step back and hit a long ball.
Brandon Johnson -- Stevensville, junior forward
Johnson learned how to move under the basket and grab the rebounds this year. He'll be fun to watch next year.
Mike Kirby -- Florence, junior post
Another promising post player. Kirby is the master of the offensive rebound and put-back.
Mark Ward -- Florence, junior guard
He came out strong, hit a slump but came back with shots dropping at the district tournament. Mark led the Falcons to their first District 5B championship in seven years.
Collin Fehr -- Corvallis, sophomore guard
Although a bit tentative in the beginning of the season, this 6'3" guard came on strong at the end of the season. Collin will be fun to watch in the next two years.
Luke Schueler -- Hamilton, senior forward
Hardworking, in-the-trenches kind of player, when Luke breaks loose, points fall.
Trevor Fehr -- Corvallis, sophomore post
This 6'7" soph is going to be a big impact on the Southwest A in the next couple of years. Not many rebounds get past him.
Scott Theissen -- Darby, senior forward
Hard-working, straight shooting, Theissen moves to the basket well.
Cody Ralston -- Darby, junior guard
Ralston leads the Tigers in scoring and has moved his game inside as well as shooting from outside.
Chris Baecht -- Hamilton, senior guard
Hard working player who will drop a trey or two.
Boys Dark
Coach Dave Bradshaw -- 14th year at Corvallis
Daniel Creech -- Stevensville, senior post
Creech dominated the boards and then stepped outside to shoot from downtown. A complete player who brought his love of the game from Ohio with him.
Lasse Marck -- Stevensville, senior guard
Basketball is the same in any language and Marck explained that to us. His long arms were his best defense but his free throw shooting is beyond compare.
Ryan Hansen -- Florence, junior guard
He slices to the basket or steps out for a long shot, his jump shot is hard to defend.
Mike Wilson -- Victor, junior guard
His athletic ability put an X on his back this year, but this talented junior worked hard for his team.
Eric Paulsen -- Victor, sophomore post
Although he came in late in the season, his scoring and defense made an impact for the Pirates.
Joe Nisly -- Corvallis, senior guard
When Joe's feeling his shot, look out, there's not many that can stop him. One other thing, he loves the Dale Berry Court and should light up the scoreboard on Friday.
David DeSantiago -- Hamilton, senior guard
He's fast and when he keys on the ball, look out, he's going to get a steal and a basket. DeSantiago plays 10 feet tall.
Cody Schueler -- Hamilton, senior forward
Another hard working Bronc player who had good success this year.
Garrett Becker -- Darby, senior guard
Injuries kept him from seeing his full potential but his long-range shot is still there.
Cody Harbridge -- Darby, senior guard
Harbridge can shoot or run the floor or make the dish to the open player. All around play is his strong suit.
Justin Moe -- Florence, senior post*
He is the shortest post player around but don't tell him that. Moe works hard and plays big.
*Moe replaces Creech who will be out of town.
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Past Players of the Year
Girls Basketball
2002-03 -- Kim Heinz, Florence
2001-02 -- Jessica Richter, Hamilton
2000-01 -- Amber Miller, Darby and Jessica Bader, Victor
1999-00 -- Ember Harberts, Florence
1998-99 -- Ember Harberts, Florence and Jenny Fagg, Florence
1997-98 -- Heather Seyfert, Stevensville
1996-97 -- Sarah Griffin, Darby and Jamie Graham, Darby
1995-96 -- Jennie Kendall, Florence
1994-95 -- Trish Rennaker, Darby and Jennie Kendall, Florence
1993-94 -- Trish Rennaker, Darby
1992-93 -- Sarah Maloney, Darby
Boys Basketball
2002-03 -- Shea Bradshaw
2001-02 -- Beau Paulsen, Victor and Kyle Kearns, Corvallis
2000-01 -- John Seyfert, Stevensville and Seth Lindauer, Victor
1999-00 -- Jamie Tadvick, Stevensville
1998-99 -- Travis Ogilvie, Victor and Dwain Schallenberger, Hamilton
1997-98 -- Eric Gilder, Florence and Dwain Schallenberger, Hamilton
1996-97 -- Chris Rennaker, Darby
1995-96 -- Donnie Miller, Stevensville
1994-95 -- Sebastian Stammler, Victor
1993-94 -- Quinn Heath, Florence
1992-93 -- Dave Jessop, Corvallis
Volleyball
2002-03 -- Kellie Smith
2001-02 -- Christine Chandler, Hamilton and Tisha Warner, Corvallis
2000-01 -- Melanie Nisly, Corvallis
1999-00 -- Kasey Smith, Corvallis
1998-99 -- Molly Round, Florence And Amy Littlefield, Darby
1997-98 -- Alix Griffith, Hamilton and Brenda Peterson, Corvallis
1996-97 -- Katie Cochell, Corvallis and Katie Roche, Corvallis
1995-96 -- Greta Benjamin, Stevensville and Arnica Tree, Stevensville
1994-95 -- Jennifer Gill, Hamilton
1993-94 -- Cristi Bush, Darby
1992-93 -- Brenda Linster, Stevensville
Football
2002-03 -- David Minnis, Corvallis
2001-02 -- Nick Walters, Florence
2000-01 -- Andrew Moore, Florence
1999-00 -- Brandon Wood, Hamilton and Nick Gerhard, Victor
1998-99 -- Brad Weston, Hamilton and Scott Holland, Hamilton
1997-98 -- Marc Taylor, Hamilton and Brad Weston, Hamilton
1996-97 -- Clint Cornish, Florence and Nic Tognetti, Stevensville
1995-96 -- Sean Kittel, Victor and Chuck Trollope, Hamilton
1994-95 -- Kevin Cornish, Florence
1993-94 -- Skye Flanagan, Hamilton
1992-93 -- Paul Stevens, Victor
Lineman of the year
2002-03 -- Ryan McKinley, Victor
2001-02 -- Kerry Mullan, Stevensville and Jade Tadvick, Stevensville
2000-01 -- Doc Farley, Hamilton
Girls Soccer
2002-03 -- Elena Boer, Hamilton
2001-02 -- Amy Messer, Corvallis and Margarette Sellers, Hamilton
2000-01 -- Jennifer Christian, Hamilton and Jessi Sheets, Corvallis
1999-00 -- Justine Rosa, Hamilton
1998-99 -- Christine Jevning, Corvallis
Boys Soccer
2002-03 -- Kyle Melton, Hamilton
2001-02 -- Cody Thomas, Corvallis
2000-01 -- Keith Heggaton, Corvallis
1999-00 -- Chris Thompson, Hamilton
1998-99 -- Rogan McGillis, Hamilton
Softball
2002-03 -- Melissa Weston, Hamilton
Stephanie Gonzalez Memorial Sportsmanship Award
2002-03 -- Allie Bethel, Stevensville and Tyler Boshae, Hamilton
2001-02 -- Zack Schurman, Victor and Kristin Hanson, Hamilton
2000-01 -- Tanner Mullin, Stevensville and Trisha Kunkel, Hamilton
1999-00 -- Rachel Curran, Corvallis and Dane Vulcan, Florence
1998-99 -- Roy Mears, Darby and Virginia Lindauer, Victor
1997-98 -- Sarah Huls, Corvallis and Chad Ekin, Hamilton
1996-97 -- Nick White, Hamilton and Angie Plomaritis, Florence
1995-96 -- Shylah Smith, Victor
1994-95 -- Chaun Hauer, Darby
1993-94 -- Jill Price, Corvallis
Athletes of the Year
2002-03 -- Kim Heinz, Florence and Tyson Johnson, Stevensville
2001-02 -- Ryan Wells, Hamilton and Haley Bradley, Florence
2000-01 -- Michele Block, Florence and Clayton Curley, Stevensville
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