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2015 IDAHOSPORTS.COM BOYS STATE BASKETBALL AWARDS
By Gary Jones and Glenn Jones
Things have changed at idahosports.com and for the better. There was a time I did play by play for all 6 title games. We have crews for every single division now, and I only announce for the 5A teams. Each broadcaster that did the early games gets to do the title game now as it should be. Because I don’t see all the games at the Ford Idaho Center anymore, I am not going to list awards for all 6 divisions like I used to. I will stick to awarding the 5A teams only. I will, however, continue to use all the teams at state for the coolest names and alliterate names. Here goes……
5A State Champs: Post Falls Trojans (25-1) 67-62 (OT)
The Trojans came into the tournament as the #1 ranked team in the state by the media. They had not lost to an Idaho team all year. Their lone loss came from a Washington high school in Tacoma. The 5A title game was a great one where the fans definitely got their money’s worth since it took an overtime period to decide the championship. This is the third title for the Trojans and the second for Coach Mike McLean. He won one back in 2010, and their other title came way back in 1963 under Coach CW Totten.
Runner-up: Highland Rams
3rd Place: Capital Golden Eagles
Consolation: Rocky Mountain Grizzlies
Sportsmanship: Borah Lions
Academic: Madison Bobcats 3.642 GPA
TheIdahosports.com All State Tournament Team (5A Only)
One requirement we have- we will pick at least one player from each of the 8 teams at state for this all state team.
MVP: Stefan Gonzalez, Senior, Highland Rams
Some may question my choice of the MVP because I didn’t pick one from the winning team, but I am from the school of belief that is doesn’t have to be that way. I look at the MVP this way- if I was drafting a team from the pool of players based on their play during this tourney only, which player would I take with the #1 pick? For me, that is Stefan. He led the tourney in scoring with 71 pts, which is an average of 23.7. His other stats were: 27 field goals with 11beyond the arc, 16 rebounds, 16 assists, 3 steals, and 6/8 from the foul line. He has signed to play at St. Mary’s and all of us here at idahosports.com wish him the best of luck. They are getting one heck of an athlete and basketball player.
First Team
Max McCullough, Junior, Post Falls Trojans
Conner Harding, Junior, Highland Rams
Mason Baker, Junior, Skyline Grizzlies
Derrick White, Senior, Capital Eagles
Kolby Lee, Sophomore, Rocky Mountain Grizzlies
Second Team
Logan Skurdal, Senior, Rocky Mountain Grizzlies
Rylan Bergersen, Junior, Borah Lions
Jai Jai Ely, Senior, Skyline Grizzlies
Cameron Godney-Scott, Sophomore, Capital Golden Eagles
Jacob Blakney, Senior, Post Falls Trojans
Honorable Mention
Tyson Baker, Senior, Skyline Grizzlies
JD Schutt, Senior, Nampa Bulldogs
Bryce Gonser, Senior, Timberline Wolves
DeAndre Jones, Junior, Borah Lions
Jack Millsap, Senior, Post Falls Trojans
TheIdahosports.com “Coolest Names” of the Tournament
You can find out how many people in the U.S. have your name by clicking here. There are lots of people named Gary Jones, but these cool names in the tourney are unique and that’s what we like about them. We have come up with a new category besides“Coolest Names”. We have now added “Awesome Alliterations”
“Coolest”
First Team
Talon Pinckney, Junior, Capital Golden Eagles
Slader Ray, Senior, Lakeland Hawks
Zyon Cleverly, Sophomore, Buhl Indians
Stetson Iverson, Junior, Marsh Valley Eagles
Xan Rose, Senior, St Maries Lumberjacks
Second Team
Peyton Brothers, Junior, Nampa Christian Trojans
Courage Lone Bear, Junior, Lapwai Wildcats
Bridger Cranney, Sophomore, Oakley Hornets
Treighton Shepherd, Senior, Rocky Mountain Grizzlies
Jymon Garretson, Junior, Mountain Home Tigers
Honorable Mention
Canyon Anderson, Sophomore, Capital Golden Eagles
Pierce Scott, Senior, Middleton Vikings
Ridge Thompson, Sophomore, Soda Springs Cardinals
Merritt Philps, Freshman, Challis Vikings
Layton Harris, Junior, Grangeville Bulldogs
“AwesomeAlliterations”
First Team
Derek Dufty, Sophomore, Timberline Wolves
San Storms, Senior, Skyline Grizzlies
Payton Pinz, Sophomore, Parma Panthers
Austin Anderson, Senior, Marsh Valley Eagles
Max McCullough, Junior, Post Falls Trojans
Second Team
Klancy Krenka, Senior, Mackay Miners
Walker Whaley, Junior, Fruitland Grizzlies
Dylan Downs, Sophomore, Soda Springs Cardinals
Trey Tomlison, Senior, West Jefferson Panthers
Colton Curley, Senior, Lakeside Knights
Honorable Mention
Blake Bartschi, Sophomore, South Freemont Cougars
Bridger Bumgarner, Sophomore, Weiser Wolverines
Brayden Boyce, Junior, Rigby Trojans
Braydn Bell, Junior, Burley Bobcats
Benson Briggs, Senior, West Jefferson Panthers
Idahosports.comPep Club of the State Tournament:
When I look at any school’s pep section, I should immediately know their school colors. The Borah Lions never disappoint me with that. They rock the green and gold constantly, and they show up in numbers-even if it’s not the title game. When I did the third place game at Columbia High, they showed up in school colors and stood and cheered the entire game. While Capital won the game, they did not have a student section there at all. Plus, Borah had their Lion mascot dressed up during the tournament, and the Borah faith full are this year’s choice for the pep club of the tourney. Keep up the good work!!
TheIdahosports.com Mascots of the Tournament:
Mascot are not only cool, they add a great touch to a state tourney by helping the cheering section and cheerleaders. The other thing they should do is also work the crowd, especially seeking out the children in attendance to high five and greet them. Brock Glaisyerr, dressed up as “Boss” in the wolf costume from Timberline, did this better than anyone I have seen. He constantly worked the crowd when he wasn’t in front of his pep section. He even came up to our booth twice during the games and high fived us. I have never seen anyone do a better job as a mascot in all my years of announcing. Great job, Brock!!
Idahosports.comPep Band of the State Tournament:
This is always a tough choice because so many bands these days are quality ones with talented kids. One incident that stood out to me made the Skyline Grizzly band win the award this year. They set up during the 4th quarter of the Rocky Mtn and Timberline game on Friday afternoon. During a late timeout in that game, which did not have a band playing, suddenly they struck up a song tha tgot the Timberline cheerleaders dancing. It was awesome for them to help during a time out in a game their team wasn’t even playing in. Though not the biggest band in the tourney, they sounded great, and their extra effort wins them the award this year.
On a side note, during the six title games at the Ford Idaho Center this year, there was not a National Anthem before each game. They only played one twice on Saturday. I have no idea why they didn’t do it, but it needs to be done for each title game on Saturday. There’s no better way to start a state championship game than to honor our nation and our military personnel serving abroad and at home. They protect our freedoms we enjoy each and every day, and skipping the anthem is, in my opinion, a mistake. It also serves our bands who practice the anthem throughout the school year, as well, and they deserve the chance to showcase their talents in front of the large crowds at the Ford Idaho Center.
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