One thing is clear as the summer local high school basketball season winds down: there will be some improved teams as several long-anticipated, talented classes enter their junior and senior seasons.

Several of the unofficial games have been played in gyms throughout Sanders and Mineral counties, giving coaches and die-hard fans a look at the upcoming season. 

In St. Regis, Superior, Noxon, Thompson Falls and Hot Springs, the suspense is growing as those talent-laden classes enter the upper rungs of varsity experience. 

A key indicator of the possibility of some solid post-season runs was on display this past week in Hot Springs, where a last-minute shot by senior Bryson LeCoure helped Thompson Falls hold off a determined Hot Springs team under the leadership of new coach Mike Benson, 47-43. 

Both teams showed promising signs of improvement during the game. 

“I’ve been very pleased with the progress I’m seeing this summer,” said coach Benson, who took over the Savage Heat program after several years as an assistant, including several years at T Falls.  “We’ve been able to get a look at some of the senior class and several others who are playing well.  They look like they want to play.”

Both Benson and T Falls head coach Jake Mickelson have also been able to assess the condition of their starting centers, Hot Springs senior Nick McAllister and Thompson Falls post LeCoure.  Both are 6-4 and are coming off injuries that sidelined them most of last season. 

“The idea of playing these games is to get a look at the players and get them on the court,” said Mickelson. 

Both players appear to be recovering nicely: McAlliser from a high ankle injury, and LeCoure from shoulder troubles that required surgery. 

Another post/forward player who continues to improve is Alberton junior Shea Fredette, a 6-3 wingman with solid leaping ability and a nose for the ball, giving the Panthers a rebounding weapon. 

In the three-team round robin last week in Hot Springs, T Falls finished 2-0, Hot Springs was 1-1 and Alberton posted a 0-2 mark. 

And for all coaches hoping to keep “a ball in their hands” this summer, the growing number of players who are also taking part in unofficial football training, including weightlifting, staying fit is a key objective of off-season work. 

Players like Hot Springs senior John Waterbury, who is planning on playing football and basketball for the Savage Heat, as well as wrestling with the co-op, Plains-Hot Springs team, staying active is a big part of his ambitious athletic plans. 

Waterbury, a state wrestling championship placer the past two seasons, is planning on playing basketball and wrestling at the same time.  Last year, T Falls’ now-graduated senior Max Hannum did the same two sports.  He was a solid forward for the Blue Hawks and finished second in the state Class B wrestling finals at 170 pounds. 

“It’s good to stay in shape,” Waterbury said. 

Official practices for the upcoming Montana high school football season begin Aug. 16.

    Alberton junior Shea Fredette (white jersey) and Nick McAllister battle for the opening tip of their summer game in Hot Springs last week. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
  

    Hot Springs center Nick McAllister goes up for two against a T Falls defender during their summer game last week in Hot Springs. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)
  

    Savage Heat guard Wesley Anderson dribbles downcourt against an Alberton defender during summer basketball action last week in Hot Springs. (Chuck Bandel/VP-MI)