Hi-Line Athlete Profile: T.J. Reynolds, Shelby

When it comes to basketball in Havre, the name Tom Reynolds is a familiar one. But at some point in the near future, it's possible his son, T.J. Reynolds could make a name for himself as well.

Back in his day, in the early 1990s, the elder Reynolds excelled for Havre High and is still regarded as one of the top basketball players in the history of the program. And while T.J. will never be a Blue Pony, it's possible he could be a Light.

That's because the younger Reynolds, a senior-to-be at Shelby High School, is a talented high-school basketball player, one that has caught the attention of Montana State University-Northern men's basketball head coach Shawn Huse, and many other college coaches for that matter.

Reynolds, who is tall, athletic and skilled with the basketball, caught the attention of Huse and the rest of the Frontier Conference with what has been a stellar career thus far for the Coyotes. Last season, as a junior, he truly blossomed under his father's leadership as head coach and played a key role in Shelby advancing all the way to the Class B state tournament, where it eventually finished third.

"We got really close, we got within one game of that championship game," T.J. Reynolds said while attending MSU-Northern Summer League last week. "I think it left a sour taste in our mouths. So I think trying to go back and win a state championship is something that is going to motivate all of us."

Reynolds is an outstanding high school player and good enough to get noticed on his own. But it certainly didn't hurt that he participated in the summer league put on by Huse. Essentially, the league is made up of players from around the Hi-Line and from across the state of Montana, who converge on the Armory Gymnasium for 20 minutes of fundamental drills and live scrimmaging, giving players a chance to not only learn, but also showcase their talents.

Yet, after last season, Reynolds doesn't need much help getting noticed. The Coyotes opened 2016-17 with plenty of hype, and lived up to it. Despite losing eight games in the regular season, Shelby won the 1B District tournament, only to follow that up with a championship in the Northern B Divisional. To win that title, the Coyotes knocked off Cut Bank in Cut Bank by 53-39. In Shelby's three games en route to the divisional crown, it won games by an average of 21 points.

At the state tournament, the Coyotes won their opening game before losing in the semis to Anaconda in overtime. However, Shelby turned around and beat Lame Deer, as well as Whitehall to capture the third-place trophy.

With a bitter taste in his mouth, Reynolds is ready for the 2017-18 season. It's a big season for Shelby, which is hoping to win its first Class B boys basketball championship since 2008 and it's also hugely important for Reynolds, who is looking to lock down a collegiate scholarship.

With both of those aims in mind, Reynolds has been working hard on his game this offseason and has been a regular at the Lights' summer league. Last week, the Havre Daily News caught up with Reynolds for five questions to talk it about it all: the upcoming season, chasing a championship with his dad and the state of his recruitment.

HDN: What are your thoughts on the Northern Summer Camp after participating the last two years?

Reynolds: "I really liked it last year, so I decided to come back and do it this year. I really like how Coach Huse does some fundamental work with us at the start of practice. We do ball handling drills and other things you can do on your own to get better. Then when we start playing, we get a chance to see some kids that we haven't see before, which is a good thing, too."

HDN: So how is the recruiting processing going? Had any offers?

Reynolds: "I have. Northern has offered me and recently, Montana-Western has got in touch with me. Both Rocky (Mountain College) and (Montana) Tech have talked to me, too."

HDN: What has it been like going through that process?

Reynolds: "It's been like a dream come true. It has been really awesome."

HDN: Your dad has a connection to Havre from his playing days, do you feel a personal connection to Havre as well?

Reynolds: "Yeah, I do. I have been coming to the Northern camps for a long time, since I was a little guy. I really like the campus here and I like the way that Coach (Huse) teaches, so it's been a lot of fun."

HDN: What has it been like playing for your dad, and what would it be like to win a state championship with him?

Reynolds: "It's a lot of fun playing for him. There are definitely a lot of father-son moments, but I enjoy it a lot, getting an extra few hours a day with him that I wouldn't get otherwise. I remember going and watching all the games when the 2008 team got it done (won a state championship), and we want to be the next team to do it. And sharing that with him has been something I have been dreaming about for a long time."