Potomac eighth-grader Hunter Preston squeezes between two Eagles Dec. 3 for 2 points. He led the Pioneers scoring over half of the points for the game.
Potomac seventh-grader Owen Dry puts up two points in the game against Seeley Lake, Dec. 3.
Potomac eighth-grader Emmett Zander shoots for two points. He scored 5 points in the game against Seeley Lake, Dec. 3.
POTOMAC – Finishing with only one loss for the season, the Potomac Pioneer boys basketball team made it into the Championship Game for the Copper League Small Schools. Assistant Coach Wacey Thompson said the team embraced the fundamentals, the new offense they ran this year and really worked together as a team.
This is Thompson's second year coaching with Head Coach Brad Hall. They had 15 players finish out the season playing on the A and B Teams.
Thompson said all the boys were eager to learn what he and Hall taught them. While the younger athletes did not have a lot of experience starting the season, they picked up on things well.
"The plays, the fundamentals and ball handling they handled really well," said Thompson.
Thompson said the older kids continued to improve from last year and had success throughout the year. Thompson and Hall switched up the offense this season and he was happy to see the changes work out well.
"The biggest thing for me was just getting all the kids to buy into playing as a team," said Thompson.
The four eighth graders really stepped up and led with that emphasis on teamwork.
Thompson said Hunter Preston improved immensely over the year. He came to every open gym, spent a lot of time practicing on his own and took any advice that was given to improve his game.
"[Good job] to him for having an open mind and being ready to get better," said Thompson.
Brothers Emmett and Keith Zander have also really taken coaching to heart and made huge improvements in every area from shooting to defense.
"They are little hustlers too," said Thompson. "They are flying all over the place and I swear they never get tired."
Thompson said seeing Jude Vogel's improvement has been awesome from Hall and Thompson's perspective. It is players like him that feeds Thompson's love of coaching.
"He's taken everything in and has been so easy to work with," said Thompson who added he took over the starting role. "From where he started, he has really impressed me and has had a great year."
Seventh grader Owen Dry came up to play on the A Team along with a few other younger players. Thompson was grateful for the younger player's willingness to fill in and give their best every time.
"We are a good team but we have to work with each other in order to make it happen," said Thompson. "It's worked out pretty well so far. It has been a great season."
The A Team's regular season record was 7-1 with the only loss to Seeley Lake Nov. 26. Potomac beat Seeley on the Pioneer's home court 17-9. When they traveled to Seeley the Eagles took the win 28-36. Thompson said the rivalry between Seeley Lake and Potomac has always been fun, even when he used to play for Potomac.
"The game in Potomac, the game in Seeley, regardless of win or lose they have always been fun. Seeley is great to play," said Thompson.
Because Potomac and Seeley Lake traded wins, a coin toss put Potomac in second seed. They met again in the Copper League Small School championship game Dec. 18 at the Adam's Center. Due to the press schedule, the game will be covered next week.
"Both teams are really solid," said Thompson. "It [will] be awesome to have Potomac and Seeley in the championship game. I take pride in that and the kids do too."
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