Wampus Cats look to bounce back this season

CLARK FORK — New Clark Fork boys basketball head coach Corey Vogel played for the Wampus Cats back in the late 1980’s, and he coached the junior varsity for the past two years, so he couldn’t help but feel the sting of last year’s winless season for the boys basketball team.

Vogel heads into his first varsity head coaching job looking for improvement in many areas, including one that has little to do with any X’s or O’s.

“We want to get pride back into it,” said Vogel, who saw firsthand how injuries and tough losses can derail a season as the JV coach last year. “We have six true starters and we’ll piece together the rest. It will be a work in progress.”

Driving the show will be senior point guard Nate Nesbitt, who Vogel believes is ready to be a leader on a mostly young squad. He’ll team with junior shooting guard Stillman Berkley to give the Cats a veteran back court. Vogel wants the pair to attack the rim more this season, not just to get to the free throw line, but to set teammates up with open looks.

“I want them to penetrate and get to the line for the free, easy shots,” said Vogel. “I don’t want to live and die by the 3-pointer. We need more rhythm and flow.”

Senior Howard Katzenberg returns from a knee surgery and gives the Cats a physical presence on the blocks. He’ll team with a pair of sophomores who each saw big minutes last year in Zack Klein and Axel Anderson to round out the starting five. Klein is a streaky shooter with excellent range, and Anderson continues to emerge as he refines his post moves.

Senior D.J. Jackson will be counted on to add some octane to an up-tempo style that Vogel hopes will pressure teams.

“D.J. is probably the fastest player we have on the team,” said Vogel. “I want him to be the fast break.”

Seniors Ethen Thompson and Vasya Walker, and freshman newcomer Zach Nesbitt will also see minutes off the bench. Vogel thought the Cats played excellent defense last year, and plans to stick with mostly man defense, while employing a motion offense designed to get balanced scoring.

The Cats open the season at Bonners Ferry on Tuesday.