from the state of Montana to play for the Griz? You just dont see many good basketball players from the state of Montana in high school basketball. If we do have any they seem to leave the state. Who in your opinion is the best player ever from MT to play for the Griz. Have we ever had a Big Sky player of the year from the state of Montana?
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Best High School Basketball Player ever?
- Thread starter fijigriz
- Start date
Hands down Larry Krystowiak. Three time Big Sky Conference player of the year (I believe the only player in conference history ever to do it three times). Averaged 18, 22.1 and 22.2 points per game during his final three years here while also averaging 10.5, 10.2, and 11.4 rebounds. Drafted in the second round, 28th overall. Played several years in the NBA. Memeber of the All Time NIT All Star roster.
Holds the following single season records for Montana:
Most Points
709, Larry Krystkowiak, 1985-86,
32 games
Most Free Throws Made
204, Larry Krystkowiak, 1984-85
Holds the following career records for Montana:
Most Points
Larry Krystkowiak, 2,017, 1982-86,
4 seasons
Most Free Throws Made
Larry Krystkowiak, 619, 1982-86,
4 seasons
Most Rebounds
Larry Krystkowiak, 1,105, 1982-86,
4 seasons
With the exception of Michael Ray Richardson (drafted 4th, NBA allstar before getting banned for coke), Larry is the best player we have ever had from any state.
Holds the following single season records for Montana:
Most Points
709, Larry Krystkowiak, 1985-86,
32 games
Most Free Throws Made
204, Larry Krystkowiak, 1984-85
Holds the following career records for Montana:
Most Points
Larry Krystkowiak, 2,017, 1982-86,
4 seasons
Most Free Throws Made
Larry Krystkowiak, 619, 1982-86,
4 seasons
Most Rebounds
Larry Krystkowiak, 1,105, 1982-86,
4 seasons
With the exception of Michael Ray Richardson (drafted 4th, NBA allstar before getting banned for coke), Larry is the best player we have ever had from any state.
Mslacat
Well-known member
From the Modern era (basically since I have watched the griz play 1975-presant)
From Montana Kryso how can anyone argue!
Out of State Micheal Ray Richardson, again how can anyone argue!
These two players are the only two in the conversation about THE best Griz player ever.
From Montana Kryso how can anyone argue!
Out of State Micheal Ray Richardson, again how can anyone argue!
These two players are the only two in the conversation about THE best Griz player ever.
Re-read the first post:
Krystowiak, no question.
If you broaden the discussion to best ever high school player, Estes is a compelling argument, but I still think Krystowiak wins out due to provable performance. Here are the numbers:
College Scoring:
Wayne scored 2,001 points during college, primarily over two years, though he averaged an amazing 33.7 points per game in the year when he died. But for several 50+ point games by Rick Barry, Wayne would have led the nation that year, and would have presumably gone pretty high in the NBA draft (Rick Barry went 2nd)
Larry scored 2,017 points during college, primarily over three years
College Rebounds:
Larry also had 1,105 rebounds. Not sure about Estes' rebounds during college.
The bottom line is I think that Krystowiak still prevails, due primarily to the lack of evidence of what Wayne could have done had he not passed away prematurely.
Other possible candidates or at least potential team mates on the all time Montana High School Basketball team:
Les Craft (Anaconda) started at Kansas State in the late 1970's and early 1980's and was drafted by the NBA, third round
Ed Kalafat (Anaconda) started at Minnesota in the 1950's and played for the Lakers
Kral Ferch (Livingston) Craig Zanon (Kalispell) Scott Zanon (Kalispell) Darin Engellent (Geraldine)
Others?
P.S. I say Anaconda is undoubtedly first in the state as a source of basketball talent, at least historically. Amazing to think that Kalafat and Estes and Craft all came from there.
Sweetwyne
Well-known member
Another group of players that deserves consideration are the Indian players even though they had little to no college or professional exposure.
But if you are talking about high school only you have to include:
Jonathan Takes Enemy, Larry Pretty Weasel, and Elvis Old Bull.
Another one to consider is Mike Lewis, started at Duke!!!!! and domintated montana basketball.
But if you are talking about high school only you have to include:
Jonathan Takes Enemy, Larry Pretty Weasel, and Elvis Old Bull.
Another one to consider is Mike Lewis, started at Duke!!!!! and domintated montana basketball.
Some of the Hs players in Montana that have not been mentioned:
Wentzel from Corvallis;
Floyd CrossGuns and most the Browning team in 1980;
Hurley Brothers;
Mike Geer from Polson (Stud but not really tough mentally);
Kirk Walker - Darby;
Glicko kid from highwood or in that area;
There also was a kid from Plentywood in the Late 70's that could light it up from anywhere on the floor;
Best matchup: Hurley vs. Ferch in Bozoman mid 80's consolation game.
Wentzel from Corvallis;
Floyd CrossGuns and most the Browning team in 1980;
Hurley Brothers;
Mike Geer from Polson (Stud but not really tough mentally);
Kirk Walker - Darby;
Glicko kid from highwood or in that area;
There also was a kid from Plentywood in the Late 70's that could light it up from anywhere on the floor;
Best matchup: Hurley vs. Ferch in Bozoman mid 80's consolation game.
dancingbear
Well-known member
Can't remember kids name but he was from Msla Sennital and played at Duke in early 60's and went onto NBA. Part of the team that won something like 57 straight games.
Larry Pretty Weasel gets my vote, but that is a vey tough question.
Here's why I like Pretty Weasel: From what I'm told when he went to Butte for the East-West Shrine game the Butte boys, and others on the West team, said they would show him how the big guys do it and let him know as much the night before the first game. Well, Pretty Weasel went out and hung half-a-hundred on them. The next night he didn't play as much, but still went for 20-something.
Krysko is definitely the best player to come out of Montana. They are so many others I think you could make a list of 25-50 and just say these are the best: Allen Nielson, Westby; Takes Enemy; Bill Self, Richey; Mike Chavez, Heart Butte/Browning; JR Camel, St. Ignatius/Hellgate; Mark Gilman, Kalispell; Rocky Tollefson, Saco; Daren Engellent, Geraldine; Mike Warhank, Great Falls; Mike Lewis; Ed Kalafat; Wayne Estes; a bunch of the Selvigs (NE Montana had awesome hoops in the 70s); Nick Dissly; and on and on and on.....
Here's why I like Pretty Weasel: From what I'm told when he went to Butte for the East-West Shrine game the Butte boys, and others on the West team, said they would show him how the big guys do it and let him know as much the night before the first game. Well, Pretty Weasel went out and hung half-a-hundred on them. The next night he didn't play as much, but still went for 20-something.
Krysko is definitely the best player to come out of Montana. They are so many others I think you could make a list of 25-50 and just say these are the best: Allen Nielson, Westby; Takes Enemy; Bill Self, Richey; Mike Chavez, Heart Butte/Browning; JR Camel, St. Ignatius/Hellgate; Mark Gilman, Kalispell; Rocky Tollefson, Saco; Daren Engellent, Geraldine; Mike Warhank, Great Falls; Mike Lewis; Ed Kalafat; Wayne Estes; a bunch of the Selvigs (NE Montana had awesome hoops in the 70s); Nick Dissly; and on and on and on.....
Dissly and Chavez??
They are good players but I wouldn't put either one in the top 25. Pete Conway, John Lazosky, Shawn Samuelson, Chris Spoja all had better D-I careers.
There's two Montana kids for the Griz who I would say are better than Chavez.
They are good players but I wouldn't put either one in the top 25. Pete Conway, John Lazosky, Shawn Samuelson, Chris Spoja all had better D-I careers.
There's two Montana kids for the Griz who I would say are better than Chavez.
MontanaRaised
Well-known member
sfgriz said:
That was a really good one.
Another good one: Camel (Hellgate) vs. ???(West). I can't remember his name, someone help me out here. He went on to play for MSU.
Fantastic game, Metra had about 10,000 people and both players had alley-oop dunks.
MontanaRaised said:
Dan Sullivan, Billings West...MSU
When exactly did Livingston play Anaconda in the referenced mid 80's consolation? Livingston was class A when Kral and Shan played, and I thought Anaconda dropped from AA to A in 86/87 after both Hurleys had finished up.
Explosive 1
Well-known member
Also...
Matt Seidensticker was incredible in high-school, started his career at KG then moved to Shelby. His freshman year, first varsity game he had something like 33 points. Went on to be a solid Grizzly but we never got to see his full potential since he was hampered by illness his senior year.
Matt's older brother, Robert Seidensticker, was also an outstanding high school player. Robert was more of a post presence and he really dominated games. Went on to play for Western.
Matt Seidensticker was incredible in high-school, started his career at KG then moved to Shelby. His freshman year, first varsity game he had something like 33 points. Went on to be a solid Grizzly but we never got to see his full potential since he was hampered by illness his senior year.
Matt's older brother, Robert Seidensticker, was also an outstanding high school player. Robert was more of a post presence and he really dominated games. Went on to play for Western.
