Bigfork athelete showing skills on the field and the court

By JORDAN DAWSON / Bigfork Eagle

Bigfork High School junior Keenan Evans is known for his athletic abilities. He is a member of the varsity basketball team, the track team and last year he ran cross country in the fall. But this year Evans changed things up a bit and added soccer to his fall schedule, rather than cross country.

"I just wanted to try something different," Evans said. "In cross country you're out there by yourself. I like the fact that there is a team in soccer."

Evans' main sport is basketball, and he uses fall and spring sports to keep himself conditioned. During the summer he participates in basketball camps. Evans considered playing football, but had concerns about injuries carrying over into basketball season. Prior to this season he hadn't played soccer since he was in elementary school.

"It's a little hard because everyone else is so experienced," Evans said. "It's weird that you're older than some of the younger kids who are way better than you at some things."

He said that the coaches and other players have been very patient with him as he learns this new sport.

Head BHS soccer coach Keith Koslosky said that Evans is good addition to the team.

"He has a terrific attitude," Koslosky said. "He is a great presence to have around. As far as I can tell he's a great person. He's very coachable and is a very fast learner. His learning curve was amazing."

It was a challenging first season for Evans though.

"I've played basketball my whole life," Evans said. "It's been pretty hard to learn soccer. I make a lot of mistakes, but that's part of sports."

As for the game, Evans said he is loving his new sport, and the coaches have found a perfect place for him.

"I like the running part of it," he said "I like being Keith's sticker person. If there's someone who everyone is having trouble keeping up with Keith sends me out there to stay on them. So that's my role right now. I like that. My role is to disrupt people."

Koslosky said that he likes that too.

"His size, strength and speed make him a great athlete," Koslosky said. "He has fantastic instincts and a great sports mentality. For his lack of experience and knowledge of the game, he made up for it in hustle."

During the team's final game against Libby, Koslosky said that Evans played with tremendous confidence, and at one point took the ball nearly the whole length of the field.

"I'm excited for him to come back next year and play with his positive attitude and with a year of experience and the skills he's developed," Koslosky said. "If we can get him a pair of shoes that fit I bet he'll do even better."

Koslosky's shoe joke is in reference to Evans season long struggle to find the right shoes.

Evans originally joined the team as the goalie, a position he may take over next year when Zac Hansen graduates.

"I like playing goalie," he said. "It's real tough when you get scored on. I wouldn't mind doing it next year though."

No matter what position he is in, the rookie is still working on the basics.

"I have to slow down with the ball more," Evans said. "I react so fast that I just kick the ball away to someone else when it comes to me. I need to relax and take my time more."

He is also adjusting to not being able to use his hands like he can in basketball, and is learning to properly kick the ball with the side of his foot rather than his toe. However, all things considered Evans said he is happy that he chose to play soccer.

"It's been a good decision," Evans said. "I'll probably play next year. I have to compete in something year round. I could go to the athletic club every day, but it doesn't have the competitive factor."

Now, fresh off his soccer team's trip to the semifinals of the Class A State Playoffs, Evans is already getting ready for basketball season. During the fall the rest of his team participated in open gyms held at the school, but Evans had to sit out to prevent any chance of injury during soccer season.

"During soccer season I went through some withdrawals," Evans said. "I kept feeling like I should be practicing basketball. I'm really looking forward to playing now."

Evans started playing basketball when he was six years old for his father, who was his coach. He said it wasn't until about eighth grade that he really started to enjoy the sport, but since then he has loved the game.

"It's a relaxing game," Evans said. "It's very fun. It's the best sport there is, I think."

He said that it looks like there will be a lot of young players on this year's Vikings team, but they look like they will contribute well to the team, which had a 5-12 record last year.

Though Evans would like to see the basketball team improve this year, he's just enjoying being back on familiar ground.

"It feels good to go to practice and actually know what I'm doing," Evans said. "Just like the good old days."