There is “guarded” optimism afloat for this year’s version of the Plains Horsemen boys’ basketball team.

Pre-season practices got underway this past week for most Montana schools, and Plains head coach Tyrel Allen welcomed a trio of senior guards with quality varsity experience. 

Leading the way for the Horsemen, who play in the very competitive Western 7B conference, is Zayden Allen, a 6-0 guard, along with 5-11 senior point guard Darren Standeford and 6-0 guard Wyatt Butcher. 

The trio were instrumental in the Horsemen recording a 14-10 record last season.  Coach Allen is counting on the three floor generals to impart their basketball knowledge and experience on a solid group of returning underclassmen. 

“We are returning guards with a ton of varsity experience,” Allen said. “I would expect our team basketball IQ to be high and we have great senior guard leadership”. 

Graduated from last year’s team are Joe Martin, sharpshooting forward Anaya Loberg, along with 6- forward Zephaniah Dines and 6-1 forward Aden West. 

Plains fields a line-up with most players in the 6-0 range, making rebounding a key to the upcoming season, Allen said.  

“We need to improve our defensive intensity from last year,” he said. “And we need to be able to rebound against bigger opponents”. 

That will be a tall challenge for the Horsemen, who play several strong opponents as members of the 7B conference and Western Division (6B-7B). Eureka won the conference title last season with an 18-5 overall record and a 10-0 regular season 7B mark. 

Sanders County rival T Falls was second in the conference last year with an 8-2 mark and are expected to be among the top three (including Plains) again this season despite some key graduations. 

Plains was third in 7B play last year. 

“We should have a solid season this year and make the Divisional tournament again,” coach Allen said. “The toughest opponents in our district will be Thompson Falls and Eureka, who both have size and experience.” 

Also expected to be improved is the young Superior team, led by 6-6 sophomore post Landon Richard and a solid group of underclassmen. 

Plains opens its 2024-25 season December 5 with a home game versus Flathead Valley Christian, then a December 12 meeting with Two Eagle River, also in Plains.