SKC Bison basketball team wins first two games at home
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PABLO — The Salish Kootenai College Men’s Basketball team began working hard well before the first whistle of the year, training and practicing just weeks into the start of school. On Saturday morning, Nov. 2, they were back in action to start the 2024-25 basketball season. The SKC Bison played their first two tournament games on their home court with the support of the community. SKC blew past their opponents from Stonechild College in Box Elder, Montana, securing a 110-51 victory. Will Mestheth led all scorers with 17 points, 12 in the first half, followed by Cayvence LaRance with 15 and Blaine Bement with 12. The second game was much of the same story with an exciting 92-69 win over Little Big Horn College.
After the game, Bement, a Northern Cheyenne freshman from Anchorage, Alaska, said “We played really well but we still need to reach our full potential.” He noted the importance of being a “coachable player, who’s willing to learn,” and expressed appreciation for his teammates, and coaching staff for making the team feel like a welcoming family. With the leadership of head coach Missy Tiensvold and assistant coaches Marty Wallace and Dakota Swank at the helm, the team is on track to have a winning season. This is Tiensvold’s 17th year of coaching, and seventh at SKC for both the mens’ and womens’ programs. She’ll utilize her extensive knowledge of the game and her ability to motivate her teams to help push the Bison to reach their full potential. Coach Tiensvold believes the best player is an unselfish one who does what is best for the team. She considers effort and attitude essential traits that are directly reflected in the game as well as one’s life. She describes this year’s men’s team as very hard-working, unified and strong together.
With the two victories under their belts, the Bison will continue to work their way toward the end goal of the season, which is winning their conference gold bracket. SKC’s next tournament will take place at Little BigHorn College on Nov. 15.
