George Ferguson Havre Daily News sports editor gferguson@havredailynews.com
If you're a basketball fan, and you enjoy watching the game played at an extremely high level in high school, for years now, the Hi-Line has been the place to be. From Class A to Class C, the Hi-Line always offers some of the best boys basketball in Montana and the 2008-09 season was no different. From Rocky Boy's incredible undefeated regular season and its second straight secondplace finish at the Class C state tournament last month, to Havre High's strong postseason and all of the talented players up and down the Hi-Line, it was another incredible year of boys basketball, and the 2009 Havre Daily News All Hi-Line Boys Team reflects just that. This year's team had four unanimous choices, as well as six repeat performers. The team is chalked full of experienced upperclassmen, including seven seniors and the rest juniors. Three Havre High players made the list, while six District 9C players made the 10-man team, as well as this being the third year in a row in which a Harlem Wildcat has been selected. Mike Sangrey Jr., Rocky Boy Rocky Boy's Mike Sangrey Jr. Will graduate from Rocky Boy as one of the most celebrated point guards in school history. A two-time all Hi-Line selection, Sangrey Jr. Helped guide the Stars to over 50 wins the last two seasons, as well as two trips to the Class C state title game, two 9C championships and a Northern C title this season. A consummate point guard, Sangrey Jr. Is a multi-talented player who not only scores and distributes the ball, but also rebounds and plays outstanding defense. This past season he averaged 14 points and six assists for the talented Stars, and was selected Class C All State for a second straight year. Sangrey Jr. Is also a three-time all Northern C and 9C player, and made the Class C all-tournament team two years in row. Blake Brumwell, Big Sandy Junior Blake Brumwell of Big Sandy has been dominating the paint in Class C basketball since he arrived at Big Sandy High School three years ago. And this past season was no exception. Brumwell averaged over 20 points and 13 rebounds per game for the Pioneers, who reached their third straight Class C state tournament. Brumwell is also a stellar defender and one of the best shot-blockers in the 9C. He was also a unanimous choice for the all Hi-Line team, and this past year, earned his third straight All Northern C and Class C All State honor. Kaden Keto, Havre High Almost no one in the Central A was as productive as Havre High senior Kaden Keto. On both ends of the floor, the 6-4 Keto made the most of his senior season, averaging 10 points and 10 rebound for the Blue Ponies. And while averaging a double-double for the season is no easy feat, Keto was also one of the Central A's top defenders, and that helped earn him Central A First Team All Conference honors this season. Keto has been a well-rounded athlete at HHS, playing three years of varsity basketball, as well as starring on the Havre High cross country and track and field teams. Corbin Pearson, Big Sandy There is no denying the impact 6-5 junior Corbin Pearson has had on Class C boys basketball. During Pearson's three years of high school basketball, his Pioneers have reached three 9C championship games, played in three straight Class C state tournaments and brought home a pair of third-place trophies from the state tourney. On the court, Pearson is considered one of the most difficult players to guard in all of Montana basketball because of his size, speed, his outside jumper and his ability to go inside like a center. Another unanimous selection to the list and a three-time all Hi-Line performer, Pearson topped 20 points and eight rebounds per game this past season on his way to Class C All State and Northern C All Conference honors, both of which he achieved for a third year in a row. Cole McCabe, HLP Another unanimous choice to the team, Hays-Lodge Pole's Cole McCabe makes the list for a second straight year. After a breakout junior season in which McCabe led the 9C in scoring, he had an even more impressive senior campaign. Playing on an inexperienced Thunderbird team, McCabe led the T-Birds in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals this past season. McCabe poured in almost 23 points per game this past season and once again earned all-state and all-conference honors while being selected to play in several high-profile all-star games this spring. Isaiah Martin, Harlem Harlem senior Isaiah Martin becomes the fourth Harlem player to be selected to the all Hi-Line team, and for good reason. Martin is widely considered one of the top all-around athletes in Montana, and has an amazing vertical leap. This past season, while earning Class B All State honors, Martin averaged 16 points and four assists for a Harlem team that narrowly missed out on a Class B state tournament berth. Martin also garnered nation-wide attention this past spring for accidentally breaking a backboard during warmups of a Northern B divisional tournament game in Cut Bank. But there is no doubt that the Harlem senior electrified crowds all over the Hi-Line during his career for his amazing dunks and his lightning-quick play. Erik Schildt, Rocky Boy At 6-7, Rocky Boy junior Erik Schildt has been a force in the 9C since the first game he played as a freshman for the Stars, and he's been a big part of Rocky Boy's amazing two-year run in Class C basketball. Schildt makes the list for a second straight year, and as a junior, he averaged 14 points and eight rebounds per game for the Stars, as well as leading them in blocked shots. Schildt also earned all Northern C honors for a second straight year, and was named to the Class C all tournament team last month in Billings. Mike Hickman, Havre High Another repeat performer on the all Hi-Line team, Havre High senior Mike Hickman helped the Blue Ponies make a magical run at the Central A divisional tournament back in February. Hickman led the Ponies in scoring as a junior, and he averaged double figures again this past season. Hickman is not only a two-time all Hi-Line performer, but a two-time Central A All- Conference honoree as well. Hickman is also a standout football player and is headed to Minot State University to play football for the Beavers. Daniel Nault, Box Elder Box Elder 6-0 senior Daniel Nault becomes the third Box Elder player to be selected to the all Hi-Line boys team after a solid final campaign for the Bears. As a junior, Nault helped the Bears to a stellar run at the 2008 9C tournament, and this past season, he averaged nearly 20 points and nine rebounds for the Bears, who had another good year in the always-tough 9C. Nault was an all Northern C performer this past season and this spring, has shined in several all-star games around Montana. Tucker Parman, Havre High Blue Pony senior Tucker Parman had a breakout season for Havre High, and for his efforts earned his first trip to the all Hi-Line team. Parman averaged 11 points per game for HHS and was instrumental in the Ponies' stretch run. At one point during the regular season, Parman scored 16 points or more in five straight games, and he was also a topnotch defender for the Ponies and head coach Andy Smith. Editors Note: The All Hi-Line Team was voted on by available area basketball coaches and members of the Havre Daily News sports staff. The selections for the team do not reflect the opinion of any single person and are based solely on votes received.
