Right out of the airport I am told by my hotel shuttle driver that Montana is the “forgotten” state. Funny she says this considering the MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the National Guard had yet to visit the Treasure state. Prior to my visit, I do a little research on Great Falls trying to follow through with the promise to myself to embrace local cultures while on tour. Little did I know Montana was said to be beautiful with top notch skiing slopes on their magnificent white capped mountains (yes, even in April). Unfortunately I reach Montana at night so I’m incapable of witnessing the gorgeous views on arrival. Anxious for daylight, I go to bed as soon as I arrive at the hotel.
The reason for the Tour of Champions’ very first Montana experience is due to a boy’s basketball state championship team by the name of
C.M. Russell (Great Falls, Mont.) High School. This AA state championship team made it look easy, breezing through the playoffs, picking off teams left and right by more than 20 points. Ending the season with a yawning score of 71-41, the Rustlers completed their 6th state title over the past 11 years, making it look as easy as pie. Today the team is honored by the MaxPreps Tour of Champions presented by the National Guard for being one of the top high school basketball programs in the nation out of the 21,000 teams ranked! C.M. Russell ranked No. 80 nationally according to the MaxPreps Freeman poll, a computer analysis.
It’s a windy day in Great Falls as well as having a temperature of 10 degrees less than what was forecasted the prior day. Dressed inappropriately for the weather, I scurry around the campus to find the main office carrying all my “tour gear”. I finally walk through the main office’s building doors and ask for my school contact, Principal Kloppel and am directed to his office. Still trying to catch my breath, I gather myself and begin chatting with principal Kloppel. He tells me more about the school’s athletic accomplishments and how they have been extremely successful year after year. He then of course highlights the renowned basketball team. Sergeant Sprenger of the Montana National Guard, coach Cislo of the boys’ basketball team, and MaxPreps representative Rod Mergardt enter the office to run through the logistics of the ceremony. Coach Cislo, excitedly nods as I run through the Award ceremony’s agenda. Our meeting wraps up once we are all on the same page and Coach Cislo recommends he take us on a tour of the field house to meet some of the players, etc. Rod and I gladly accept, while Sergeant Sprenger decides to begin set up.
Rod and I follow the coach and as we approach the field house I am able to see through the cracked doorway. Just through the cracked entrance I see splashes of green, hear the squeaking of basketball shoes against the court’s wooden floors as well as hoots and hollers coming from on looking students. The coach opens the doorway and I enter a state of sensory overload. The walls are plastered with the school’s infamous state champ homemade “rugs”, pictures of all-state athletes throughout the years, state champ banners, glittering plaques and student made motivational signs. I whip out my camcorder and excitedly begin circulating the gymnasium. Luckily, we run into a couple players. Coach Cislo introduces us and Rod and I figure we’d take this opportunity to do some player interviews. The players make it easy for me to really enjoy their company with their articulate speaking, humble and gracious attitudes. I am immediately blown away. Reluctantly, I realize I need to begin setup myself so I walk back into the lobby.
I then understand why Sergeant Sprenger insisted upon setting up early. The trophy is displayed on its own right outside the field house leading into the auditorium with National Guard branded rope forming a triangle around the prestigious figure. I walk further into the lobby to witness a free throw shooting competition between a Guardsman and a student on this inflatable shooting only basketball court. A small circle of students and Guardsmen had accumulated around the competitors. On the buzzer, a shot launches, circles the rim and sinks the net. All I hear for the next 30 seconds is “OOOooohhh!!” The Guardsman wins. A little heckling continues and I sink into the crowd, afraid someone will challenge me and my shooting skills, or should I say lack thereof!
I manage to escape any challenges and I begin setting up my banner in the auditorium. Before I know it, the assembly begins and it is our turn to present the National Guard National Ranking Trophy. Colonel Jeff Ireland arrives just in time. Principal Kloppel takes the mic and introduces a brief video of the Tour to give students, faculty, coaches and players a better idea of the tour as a whole. As the video wraps up, Rod Mergardt takes center stage and explains to the audience what an honor it is to be recognized and part of a national campaign acknowledging the top high school basketball programs. Sporadic “whoop!”s are heard in the crowd from friends of the players displaying their loyal fandom. Rod then introduces Colonel Ireland. The Colonel speaks of the distinguished qualities one must have to be a part of the Guard and relates these to how they are similar qualities the players display in the community as well as on a team to achieve their ultimate goal, a state title. The Colonel ends his speech by introducing coach Cislo and passing off the National Guard National Ranking trophy. The coach receives a standing ovation as he calls up the rest of the team. The players file down the stage all receiving their own inscribed National Guard plaque, while shaking the hands of their fellow Guardsmen.
We finish the ceremony with a few last pictures with the Guard, coach, players, and the trophy. I fight my way, throwing elbows through the local press to get prime positioning for my pictures. As the last photo was shot the team disseminates while a few players are grabbed for TV interviews. Ironic enough this stop is definitely one at the top of my list; the forgotten state is forever in my memory and I hope to make it back next year. Go Rustlers!
