1. Are you hopeful all of the snow parts of Montana has received will be melted by the time spring sports start? 

John Letasky: That subject came up at the state wrestling tournament. Yes, I am very hopeful spring sports start on time. We need a chinook wind or two. 

Bria Manning: Lindsay (Rossmiller) and I were just talking about this, and yes, I’m hopeful — I’m so ready for baseball/softball season.

Carson Cashion: Montana needs its own Punxsutawney Phil to answer these sort of questions. Colstrip Colin the grizzly bear? Lockwood Lenny the deer? Just some options.

Victor Flores: Yep. The forecast shows highs in the 30s and 40s for the next week or so. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly snow can melt.

Briar Napier: At this point, it seems like we’re doomed to the ground being forever white. Time to trade in the baseballs for snowballs.

2. What’s the best part about district and divisional basketball tournament time?

John Letasky: The enthusiasm and the will to win. Plus, the unique tournament atmosphere the teams experience. 

Bria Manning: This will be my first experience, but if it’s anything like district wrestling, then it’s getting to see all the different jersey designs and colors from across Montana.

Carson Cashion: Before the cream of the crop from each class duke it out at the state level, it’s fun to see schools that might not make it there get to compete in high-stakes action.

Victor Flores: Like conference tournaments in college, they’re perfect precursors to the big tourney. Not the highest stakes, but enough to generate high intensity.

Briar Napier: Every game means that much more, and until you lose twice, you’re still in the hunt for some hardware.

3. What do you think of the Montana AAU Little Sullivan Award finalists? 

John Letasky: This is a very impressive group of athletes. A voter could make a case for each and every one of the finalists. 

Bria Manning: It’s an impressive list of impressive athletes. Although I’m not sure how I feel about voting being open to the public.

Carson Cashion: It’s a fun who’s who of star-caliber athletes in the Treasure State right now. Tommy should be the obvious favorite for the men.

Victor Flores: What a decorated few months it’s been for Tommy Mellott.

Briar Napier: You can legit make a case for Tommy Mellott and Junior Bergen being the Big Sky’s best quarterback and return man ever, respectively. There are some impossible choices in those lists.

4. Will the basketball Brawl of the Wild ever attain the popularity of the football Brawl of the Wild? 

John Letasky: I don’t think so. There’s just something about football in the Treasure State, and both the MSU and UM football teams are also very good with plenty of local talent from year to year. 

Bria Manning: Probably not. I think the rivalry should have a different name for basketball — Ball of the Wild?

Carson Cashion: At this very moment, it’s got just as much of a chance to catch football as any of the schools’ other sanctioned sports: slim to none.

Victor Flores: Never say never, but certainly not anytime soon. The gap between the interest in Cats/Griz football and hoops is so large, it’s hard to wrap my head around it.

Briar Napier: I actually think that this is more likely to happen on the women’s side than the men as a good chunk of in-staters suit up on the women’s teams. Still got a long ways to catch football, though.

5. What is your favorite part about February?

John Letasky: The bitter cold and snow. … Seriously, though, the state wrestling tournament and the thought that spring is inching closer one day at a time. 

Bria Manning: Not much — like John said, probably just the fact that it’s a month closer to spring.

Carson Cashion: I agree with the consensus here that February is a bottom-tier month, but it does usually produce some high-quality college hoops as the regular season wraps up.

Victor Flores: I contend February is the worst month, and No. 2 on that list isn’t particularly close. It’s consistently the coldest month. I’ve never really cared about Valentine’s Day. The Super Bowl is the only highlight for me.

Briar Napier: The leftover Valentine’s Day chocolates I steal from the Gazette candy tub, obviously.