CHURCHILL – Kolya Bough was born in Bozeman and moved to Russia when he was 1 year old, and he speaks the language fluently. But now he’s back in Big Sky Country tearing it up on the basketball court, and he’s taken the Lone Peak program to new heights.
“The season has been a lot of fun. I think we’ve grown a lot,” Bough said. “We’ve had some tough losses, but we’ve had some big wins that are the first in program history, so I’ve been pretty pumped about the whole season.”
The postseason is in the rear-view mirror for Lone Peak, but, to Bough, next year’s journey is just beginning. And there is plenty in store.
“If you’ve ever seen him play, he’s like Rajon Rondo. The ball, you always have to be ready for it wherever you’re at,” said Lone Peak head coach Austin Barth. “Sometimes it’s going to hit you right in the chest and you do not expect it because he’s just that good of a passer.”
Finding the open man is Bough’s biggest strength. He has broken and reset the school’s single-game assist record twice this season, but to get to this point took a lot of dedication.
“He’s literally the example of when players put in work during the offseason, it’s a good example of just what they can achieve,” said assistant coach John Hannahs.
“During the fall I put in a lot of work, whether it was in the mornings or after school, I would go into the gym and get shots up, work hard with the coaches, just to prepare for this season and next season,” Bough said.
But in between practices, it’s all about school work, where Bough is a straight-A student. Even if given the chance to play college ball, he might not take the offer.
“I don’t think so. I want to focus on academics. That’s kind of a priority in my family,” said Bough.
Bough has one more season to lead Lone Peak and finish his basketball career, and with the Russian Wonder at the helm, the Bighorns are aiming to climb to new heights.
“He can take this team wherever he wants to,” said Barth. “He has that capability.”
