Seniors try to prove themselves at HIT
HAVRE – It was an audition for a dream role.
The rosters at the 29th annual Hi-Line basketball tournament were loaded, and the seniors who were undecided on where they wanted to play collegiate basketball were out to make a statement.
“It’s really funny,” Belt’s Parker McCafferty said. “Asking all of them, ‘Where you gonna go?’ I don’t know. Where you gonna go? I don’t know. None of us know. It’s pretty funny. But it’s good to see that we have a bunch of kids that can possibly play at the next level.”
McCafferty, a 5-foot-11 senior guard, was talking about his Class C teammates. The team, like the tournament, which concluded Saturday, boasted a number of talented players who have yet to make their college decision. This week in Havre, with college coaches looking on, was a good chance to prove they are good enough to play at that level.
Six-foot-10 Seth Christiaens of Broadview-Lavina, Highwood’s star guard Luke Davison, Fairview’s Monte Cayko, Box Elder’s do-everything forward Clayton Morsette Jr., Westby-Grenora’s lefty guard Cooper Olson and McCafferty, all seniors, highlighted the Class C team.
McCafferty, who helped lead the Huskies to a state title this season, has track offers in North Dakota, but he’s focused on basketball.
The tournament was a perfect venue to showcase under-the-radar talent.
“Yeah, it’s a good week (to prove myself),” said McCafferty, who’s interest in University of Great Falls and Rocky Mountain College. “I thought I’ve been proving myself all year, though. Nothing different from me, just go out and do what I normally do.”
The 6-foot-2 Morsette had a fine senior season for the Bears. After winning at state championship as a junior, the multidimensional player blossomed this season as he took on a larger role. He comes from a family that hasn’t seen very many graduate high school. That provides Morsette the motivation to go to college. He wants to make it to the next level and make them proud.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play college basketball,” said Morsette, who’s interested in several Frontier Conference schools. “So that’s what I’m trying to show to these recruiters and whatnot, whoever is watching.”
Shawn Huse, the Montana State-Northern men’s head coach, said the week was good for the coaches, an opportunity to see kids in some competitive situations.
“They really get a chance to show what they can do,” he said. “And the competition, among many of the best players in the state are here and going against each other, so the competition is really good. I think that’s the biggest thing.”
Olson, a terrific senior southpaw from Mon-Dak, has received interest from Rocky, Dickinson State and Williston State College. The 6-foot-1 lefty led the Thunder to runner-up state finishes as a sophomore and junior and third this season.
“Obviously I want to impress coaches, but I’m here to have fun, too,” Olson said. “This is one of my last hoorays as a high school player, so a little of both I guess.”
In game action Saturday, the Class AA team overcame a 19-point deficit with 6:30 left in the game to edge Class A, 116-112. The Class B girls’ squad won the championship, taking down Class C in the final, 76-70. For the second straight year, Great Falls High’s Matt Wyman won the dunk competition.