The Lady Clark Fork Mountain Cats began basketball practice this past week.  Jeff Schultz is the head coach for the newly formed co-op between Alberton and Superior.  With assistant coach, Alberton teacher, A.J. Angelo.  

There are 17 players out for the team, and the girls had the opportunity to get to know each other better when Schultz took them to a Gonzaga basketball game in Washington on the 15th where Sanford won 52 to 48.

“It was really great to see the expression on the girls faces as they watched the game.  The atmosphere of a game at that level is really intense,” said Schultz.  The girls also played a few games last summer. Both the games and the trip have been good bonding experiences he said.

Alberton player, Montanna Baughman said that the Gonzaga trip was fun, “when we got to each state, we had to switch seats with one player from Alberton and one from Superior and so we could meet everyone”.  We also played some other games to get to know each other better, she said.

The bonding seems to be working.  Schultz said that they are playing really well together.  

“They are encouraging one another, and they are working hard,” he said, “that’s half the battle”.

All four of the Alberton girls played varsity last year, and seven of the Superior girls are returning varsity players.  

“The girls looks good, they have lot of energy,” Schultz said.  After several years of anticipation, he’s happy to see the co-op finally happen.  

Angelo also said that he’s looking forward to this season and that the co-op is great because it’s more competitive and forces the kids to play better.  “Spots on the team won’t be given, they’ll be earned,” he said.  The girls will face their first test as a team on December 4th and 5th at a basketball tournament in Frenchtown. Sports schedules are available online at www.Alberton.K12.mt.us and www.Superior.K12.mt.us.