Who Is Zootown’s Best High School Basketball Coach?

Yesterday afternoon, Utah Jazz head coach Jerry Sloan, who had been with the team over the past 23 seasons, announced his resignation. According to sources close to the situation, Sloan resigned due to conflicts with star point guard Deron Williams. All of which got me thinking:

Several coaches around the country don't always see eye to eye with their players. In the NBA, it's pretty easy to deal with players that become malcontents; you can trade said player to another team or release him outright.

In college, it becomes a little bit tougher. Players can transfer to another school, although it  usually costs said player a full year of eligibility to make such a transfer.

The most difficult level to deal with "star" basketball players occurs at the high school level. Several high school coaches across the country must deal with unruly parents every year. The parents who raise trouble often feel their son or daughter isn't receiving enough playing time.

While I could get into a discussion on how High School athletics can better prepare a young adult for life, we'll save that topic for another day. Right now, I want to identify the 5 best high school basketball coaches in Missoula.

1. KAREN DEDEN - Sentinel Girls

Coach Deden usually wins at least 4 to 5 games per year because she is better prepared than the opposing coach. Karen develops game plans that are superior to just about anyone else in the Western AA. Despite fielding one of the smallest teams in AA for the past three seasons, Deden continually has her team competing for a State Tournament berth.

2. SCOTT ANDERSON - Loyola Boys

Coach Anderson always has the Loyola Rams competing for a District, Divisional, or State championship, year in and year out. Despite being a Class B school, oftentimes Coach Anderson has his Rams pushing Class A schools to the limit in non-conference games. I fully expect Loyola to be a player once the District 6-B tournament rolls around next week.

3. MARTI LEIBENGUTH - Big Sky Girls

Coach Leibenguth has already produced a couple of Class AA state champions at Big Sky High. But even when her teams have been less talented, she has still shown the ability to get the most out of her players. Case in point: the Big Sky girls' had a rough start to the 2010-11 season; but in recent weeks the Lady Eagles have turned things around.

4. JEFF HAYS - Hellgate Boys

Coach Hays, a former Hellgate Knight player, has injected a youthfulness into the program that was lacking under prevous coach Jim Sampson. Hays has made the game of basketball fun for all of his players involved. It also doesn't hurt that the Knights are currently on top of the Western AA standings at 7-1 in league play.

5.  RANDY STOBB - Loyola Girls

Loyola Heart Breakers head coach Randy Stobb has enjoyed tremendous success while guiding the Loyola volleyball and girls' basketball teams over the past couple of seasons. More than anything, Coach Stobb realizes the personality's of the girls on the team and plays to those strengths or weaknesses. Once again, Coach Stobb should have the Heart Breakers competing for a Class B State Title in the next few weeks.