1. Is state basketball tournament weekend the best stretch of days in Montana high school sports?
John Letasky: Other sports have great championships, too. For state hoops, the MHSA could make it better for fans by spreading the tourneys over a couple of weekends.
Jake Iverson: State wrestling is hard to beat, but there’s nothing that provides consistently exciting results like basketball that really matters.
Chris Peterson: Yes. I love state basketball week. Nothing better in my opinion, although state wrestling, state volleyball, and championship weekend in football are certainly rival it.
Daniel Shepard: It might be. Like John said, it’d be nice if the MHSA would spread the schedule out a bit. Maybe two class tournaments one weekend and two more the next.
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Carson Cashion: In terms of the sheer amount of games, and subsequent chaos, I think it is indeed the best weekend on the calendar.
2. Do you agree with Dawson coach Joe Peterson when he says Seth Amunrud might be the best Montana player ever for the Bucs?
John Letasky: Peterson would know. He’s a longtime coach and AD at the school and even played for the Bucs.
Jake Iverson: Shooting 47% from three is a stat so insane that I had to double check to make sure John didn’t accidentally type the wrong thing in his article.
Chris Peterson: He was elite in high school. His scoring prowess is impressive but he’s just as good a defender. I’d say that’s a resounding yes.
Daniel Shepard: Becoming Dawson’s first league MVP in 21 years is something special. Happy to see the Manhattan Christian kid excelling and already signed up to play NCAA Division I basketball.
Carson Cashion: I’d say so, with the accolade-ridden career he’s putting together in Glendive.
3. Are there any interesting storylines for high school spring sports?
John Letasky: I’m interested to see how high school baseball works in Billings.
Jake Iverson: Hate to be another voice just saying baseball, but it’s baseball. We’re finally filling the missing link in Montana’s sports ecosystem.
Chris Peterson: The Helena High girls track team is aiming for a 4-peat. That’s one thing on my radar.
Daniel Shepard: Can the Missoula Mavericks repeat as Class AA Legion baseball state champions? Tournament is headed north of the border in a few months. I’m just excited for baseball, honestly.
Carson Cashion: Similar to John’s point, the Missoula AA schools will introduce baseball. Missoula Big Sky kicks things off next Friday.
4. How many NCAA tourney brackets do you plan on filling out this year?
John Letasky: The same number I usually do — Zero. It’s not that I dislike the games, that’s just not my thing.
Jake Iverson: None. I can embarrass myself just fine in other ways, thank you very much. Like telling Daniel I like Kyle Larson this Sunday.
Chris Peterson: Probably a few. I’m kind of over the whole bracket thing.
Daniel Shepard: Zero, zilch, zip. I’ll be busy filling out my weekly NASCAR fantasy driver lineups instead. Christopher Bell four in a row anyone?
Carson Cashion: Just one, usually, though I may make a couple this year since my Gators are such contenders.
5. Do you wear green on St. Patrick’s Day?
John Letasky: Of course. Sometimes I even dig out some of my old Boston Celtics gear.
Jake Iverson: I had an… unfortunate incident in fifth grade where my olive shirt was deemed “not green enough” by the rest of the kids in class, and I am never running that risk again.
Chris Peterson: I honestly don’t care or remember half the time. Don’t like corned beef so the entire holiday can miss me.
Daniel Shepard: Depends on my clothes-wearing/washing schedule. I own one green shirt suitable for work and another racing related. I’ll give it a strong maybe this year. My Irish ancestors would be proud, I guess.
Carson Cashion: I try to, though I often forget the day of. None of my sports teams wear green which puts me at an inherent disadvantage, I think.