Iron sharpens iron. 

For Glacier basketball’s Liam Ells, his abilities were forged through years on the court and countless competitions with his brother Sam.

“He is a couple years older than me,” Liam Ells said. “We were pretty competitive and if I came close to beating him that was always a win for me.” 

The younger Ells focused mostly on soccer and basketball — a pair of sports he features in prominently with the Wolfpack — with a little running mixed in. 

Sam took the running route and competes for Montana State in cross country and track — earning Big Sky Freshman of the year honors in 2023 for the Bobcats cross country team. 

Liam earned honors of his own with the Wolfpack: in 2023 he was named Western AA player of the year for soccer with 39 points — 13 goals and 13 assists — and All-State as the Wolfpack were the top seed in the state tournament. 

He followed that up with 14 goals and 10 assists in his senior season as Glacier made their way back into the quarterfinals.  

“I’ve just always loved it,” Ells said. “I love putting in the work on whatever it is and trying to be the best that I can.” 

Now in his final season on the basketball court, Ells brings the same competitive spirit he had with his brother. 

“Every day, coming into battle with these boys is something I find joy in,” Ells said. 

Through the first six games of the season, Ells averages 5.3 points and six rebounds a game as Glacier heads into the first crosstown matchup with Flathead Friday. The boys are scheduled for a 6 p.m. tip-off, with the girls to follow. 

Glacier’s first-year head coach Evan Epperly says that Ells is a coach's dream. 

“He does everything you want him to do,” Epperly said. “He’s coachable, he is very disciplined, he is a hard worker and he loves to compete.” 

Epperly said he enjoyed watching Ells grow as a leader in his time with the Wolfpack, noting that he steps up similar to a coach with his teammates if he notices something. 

“Being a vocal leader, challenging and encouraging his teammates, but also seeing things that the coaches may not see,” Epperly said. “He is a voice that the coaches can trust too. He always has the team’s best interest in mind. 

“He is kind of like another coach on the floor. He is experienced, but he also knows what we are trying to do on the floor and he can see all the moving parts and can help guys out when needed.”  

When he isn’t playing, Ells helps to develop the next generation of athletes in Kalispell by coaching at youth camps. 

“That’s something that I really like to do,” Ells said. “Obviously it involves sports, just being able to outreach to the community is something I have enjoyed. 

“Seeing myself in those kids is pretty awesome, seeing their aspirations and comparing them to how I was.” 

Ells admits he is unlikely to continue playing at the next level, though he plans to get into Biology in college and work towards a pre-med degree with hopes to stay in sports after finishing his education. He is unsure of where he will attend college. 

Epperly said that he is sure that Ells will be successful no matter what he chooses to do after high school.