The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

The Harlem Wildcats turned in a magical season a year ago, one that concluded with a runner up finish at the Class B State Tournament. The Wildcats lost the bulk of their roster, including all five starters to graduation.

Every team across the state loses key players to graduation each year, but rarely is team depleted like this years Harlem Wildcat squad. That being said don't turn your back on this group as they are sure to bring their best effort to the court every time they take the floor.

The Wildcats this year are under the direction of first year Head Coach Ben Carrywater and his Assistant Tom Champagne. Both possess plenty of knowledge to develop the Wildcats into a team that can compete with anyone in the District 2B as well as the Northern B.

"It is a new team this year, no returning starters, we have four returning players from last year's team, with very little varsity experience, said Carrywater.

Often times people ask what the new coach expects from his or her team, but Carrywater flipped the script on the question, "The team expectations from myself and my assistant coach, Tom Champagne, are to help our players to become leaders, have work ethic, confidence, perseverance and enthusiasm."

Carrywater takes his approach beyond game night and practice in the gym, "We want our players to be more academically minded, become aware that they have choices in life and can base them on positive principles. We want them to be great teammates, play with enthusiasm and have fun and be competitive. If we do this, we will make a run in the post season."

In assessing where his team is at Carrywater has some thoughts, "Our team's strengths on the court this year will be effort, speed, and the style of basketball we will play." The Wildcats of the past have enjoyed an up tempo offensive approach and a suffocating defence, both of which require a ton of speed and effort.

As far as how the kids have started the new year, "Practice has been going great, our players are really pushing themselves. There has been a lot of willingness to learn with everything we have been implementing into our program. We will be playing an up-tempo style of basketball, we will have to be in great shape for the way we want our players to play offensively and defensively," said

Carrywater."

"Defensively we will be playing man to man. I am excited for the shot clock, it will play in our favor, it will affect teams who play a slower style of basketball, the ones who like to stall and hold the ball," Carrywater concluded.

This years Wildcat Varsity roster will include seniors Marley Stewart, Terrance Messerly, Cash Messerly, Chantry Jorgenson and Devon Doney. This group will be expected to provide leadership to the rest of the roster.

Juniors Tommy Champagne, Moses Lawrence and Antone Rider will be asked to fill some important roles for this years squad to excel. Sophomore looking for their chance to contribute to the teams success include Diandre Firstraised and Vandis Little. A couple of freshman round out the roster, both with skills and athleticism to contribute early in their high school careers. They are Matt Billmayer and Cody McCabe

The Wildcats will begin their season in Billings at the Lockwood Tip Off Tournament. Harlem will open the season on Friday, December 10 at 4:30 pm against Huntley Project. The boys will again be in action at the Lockwood Tournament on Saturday and will take on Roundup 4:30 pm.

Harlem will then open District 2B play on the road against the Mustangs in Malta on December 16. The Wildcats will make their home debut against the Poplar Indians on Saturday, December 17.

The Wildcats will conclude 2022 with a home contest against the Rocky Boy Northern Stars on December 19. The Wildcats will then hit the road to challenge the wolves in Cut Bank on Thursday, December 22.

Following the Holiday break Harlem will take to the court for the first time in 2023 at home on Friday, January 6 when they will welcome the Chinook Sugarbeeters to town. The Wildcats will then face the Wolves in Wolf Point on January 7.

Seniors Devon Doney, left and Marley Stewart, right will be called upon by Head Coach Ben Carrywater to guide the boys this season. Harlem lost almost every player from the state tournament a season ago, with just four players having any varsity experience at all. The leadership from the seniors will play a big roll in how much success the team has.

The Wildcats will enjoy the comforts of home for a trio of games. On Friday, January 13 the Glasgow Scotties will visit the Jungle and the Box Elder Bears will visit January 14. Harlem will welcome the Malta Mustangs to the Jungle on January 19.

Harlem will then hit the road to take on the Poplar Indians on January 21 and the Rocky Boy Northern Stars on January 26. The Wildcats will return home on Saturday, January 28 to take on the Cut Bank Wolves.

The Wildcats will conclude the regular season with games on the road against Chinook on February 3, Box Elder on February 9 and Glasgow February 10 in the regular season finale. Harlem will welcome the Cut Bank Wolves to town on Saturday, January 28. The Wildcats will honour their seniors on Saturday, February 4, their final home contest of the season.

Harlem will then turn their attention to the post season. The District 2B Tournament will take place in Malta, February 16-18. The top four teams from the District 2B Tournament will advance to the Northern B Divisional in Glasgow, February 23-25.

The top two teams at the Northern B Divisional will move on to the Class B State Tournament in Great Falls, March 9-11. The State B will be held at the Four Seasons Arena.