The Sidney herald., 1956-11-22
Close Race Is
Forecast in Glass
"A Basketball

Team strength in the Class A
basketball league seems to be as
evenly divided as it has ever
been. Many of the ten squads
have the majority of their start
ing five from a year ago back
this season which should elimi-
nate the one = sided race. The
reverse of the walk away Havre
had last year should be true in
the 1956-57 season.
According to many coaches
around the state Sidney is being
picked as the favorite. Maybe
that is to put the pressure on the
Eagles as a check of the return
ing strength of all squads elimi-
mates any one five with a definite
edge.
The following is a review of
the known strength on each of
the 10 teams. Billings Central out
of a squad of Is a year ago lost
only three seniors two of whom
were regulars. Glasgow, a young
team last year, lost but one play
er and have four starters return
ing. Glendive has four regulars
back and lost only two by gradu-
alton. Great Falls Central, one
of the scrappiest teams in the
league last season, has seven of
their travelling squad back and
three r regulars. Hardin has
two regulars back and lost five
of eleven by graduation. Havre,
one of the hardest hit, lost three
starters through the diploma
route and one transferred to
Lewistown. They have only five
out of IL back one of whom was
a regular. Laurel lost only three
seniors and two were starters.
Lewistown may have lost all five
starters. Four graduated and the
fifth, Don Alweis, may be out
with an eye injury. Only five
of their IL are back. Miles City,
the Tournament Champions in
1856, have four regulars back
plus two repeatedly good trans
fers.
Sidney, from a squad of IS,
lost four seniors; Jerry Smith,
David Johansen, Erwin Schmidt
and Philip Mischief plus Dale
Salisbury who transferred. Two
of these yer starters.
1t is hard to make any pre-
dictions in an evenly matched
league such as the Glass A con-
ference seems to be. However,
when asked to stick his neck out
Sidney's Coach Kangas said:
"Miles City and Billings Central
seem to have the edge. The Gus
ter county Cowboys who beat
us in the final tourney game last
have the most returning
regulars plus two top flight trans
The Rams have the most
experienced height in the league
plus an outstanding shooter in
Jim Neal"
mot far behind these two,"
continued the Sidney mentor,
ARE Glendive, Great Falls Cen
trail and Laurel. The Red Devils
four regulars should be
tough. Next should come
Havre and Lewistown and then
Glasgow and Hardin who both
will be stronger than last year"
When asked about Sidney's
chances Coach Toby said: 1.-THE
could be an improved ball
club this year if a few prob
can be overcome. We still
nave to find a floor leader re-
placement for Smith and the out
standing shooting of Johansen
will be missed. In addition our
will be a problem again
his year. AS to predicting where
We will finish" said Kangas,"
We could be well up there if the
answer is found to these prob
Right now Sidney has II boys
including six lettermen working
,ut on the A squad. In addition
those named last week are
;enior Gary Bracken and sophie
more Craig Price. Another cut
Will IA OodOty bC lildoG DClOiC
he opener against Williston here
iext Friday.
Although the Eagles will no
loubt go with their experienced
in the first few games
positions r wide open and COM
petition is keen.
The Eagles continue to work
on fundamentals with the
irst scrimmage scheduled for
text week. Coach Kangas who
ates highly among the top
caches in the state, knows his
'ffense and defense will work
'roviding the basic fundamental
'ecomes habit.
A few season tickets are still
valuable for the ii home games
nd can be purchased by seeing
Buehler or calling 655-W.