ST. IGNATIUS - With head coach Lloyd Phillips back at the reigns

of the Mission boys' basketball team, they made plenty of strides

last season with six wins.

ST. IGNATIUS - With head coach Lloyd Phillips back at the reigns of the Mission boys' basketball team, they made plenty of strides last season with six wins.

"That's more than we had won the previous two years," Phillips, who coached the team between 1987-1999 before a ten year hiatus, said.

There were also several close games that could have tipped the Bulldogs way, but that's all in the past now as Mission gets ready for the 2010-11 season. A word of advice to the spectators in Mission... don't blink because you might miss some action out on the court.

They're that quick.

"That's definitely one of our strengths," Phillips said.

The Bulldogs will employ the services of junior Austin McDonald, who started every game last year, talented sophomore Dylan Evans and the two junior Durglo's, Austin and Josh.

Seniors Spencer Ahlborn and Lane Wheeler also return as letter-winners for the Bulldogs.

Last year's team had lots of height with plenty of six-foot-somethings on the team. This year's incarnation won't have as many bigs but they'll make up for it with quickness.

"We'd have to play in cowboy boots to get that tall," Phillips said of last year's height.

Phillips said that this year's team will spread the court and play hard-nosed defense.

"We can rebound by committee," he said. "Rebounding is more about desire and position."

What was evident last Saturday night was just how many boys turned out for the sport, 29, and how evenly matched they all are.

"We go eight deep real quick and maybe as deep as 10," Phillips said.

Practices have been promising as well, as the Bulldogs are working on their skills.

While subs may give a little in height, they won't give anything up in their quickness and play.

"I've never had anyone work as hard as these guys," Phillips said.

With Mission seeing marked success in football, Phillips said that he thinks his boys can carry that momentum over into the basketball season.

"I think we turned a corner last year for Mission athletics," he said. "It's the circle of sports."

The Bulldogs will have a challenging Bigfork team to play against, along with talented Eureka and Thompson Falls squads, but they'll both have to play defense against these Bulldogs if they want any success.

"We shouldn't be pressable," Phillips said.