Beyond the Scoreboard

The Polson boys basketball season is showing great progress as  it nears the end with only 3 games left. This season, the boys have almost tripled their wins from last year with a total of 6 wins compared to 2 last year.

Assistant Coach Brad Fisher, who has been in the basketball program for years, shared his passion for coaching, explaining that his role as a math teacher and as an assistant coach allows him to connect with students outside of the classroom. “It’s neat to go watch things they’re interested in,” Fisher states. Fisher believes that success isn’t solely measured by wins and losses, but by the character development of his players. “We focus on making them better young men,” he said, showing the importance of academics and respect in their lives.

On the player side, senior Jesse Vail’s introduction to basketball was influenced by his father, who played in high school. Vail admires Allen Iverson for his resilience despite being six feet, which is short for the NBA. This is a lesson that Vail has applied to his own game being 5’7”, which is the shortest on the team. “It’s all mental,” he said, sharing how he prepares for games with a focused mindset. For Vail, being a senior means taking on more leadership responsibilities. “It’s dramatic,” he explained, highlighting the shift from being a freshman under the guidance of upperclassmen, to now being one of the leaders of the team.

Kyson Michel, a freshman on varsity, brings a unique energy to the team, thanks to his trademark pre-game ritual, eating Skittles. Although Michel is now a staple to his team, he initially didn’t want to play basketball stating that his mother made him start as a kid. Kyson leads his team in assists and steals with 41 assists and 34 steals throughout the whole season. Although Michel and Vail are in different grades, they both contribute greatly to the efforts of the team through their strong mindsets and determination.

The Polson boys’ basketball team is currently ranked #3 in the A Northwest Region. Sophomore Malakai Curley ranks second in the region for points per game, averaging 17.1 points, while Senior Cason Graham follows closely behind in fifth place with an average of 10.3 points per game.

This season, players are focused on both personal and team improvement. As Assistant Coach Fisher reminds them, it’s about more than just the game—it’s about translating the skills you gain on the court into becoming better individuals.