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Conference Preview

COACHES POLL
1. Marsh Valley
2. Snake River
3. American Falls

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Hunter Argyle, Marsh Valley
Dalton Egley, Marsh Valley
Braden Ralph, American Falls

3A Southeast Idaho Conference Preview
Written by Brandon Hill

Snake River proved to be the lone representative of District 5 in last year’s state tournament. The Panthers stumbled in the playoffs, falling first to Fruitland 66-43 and then to Kellogg in the consolation bracket 63-46.

Snake River had trouble down the stretch of last season, winning just two of the final six games in the 2019-2020 season. But, the Panthers managed to keep most of their contests close in a 15-10 season and began the year white hot, winning their first six games.

But this year, the focus will be on the Marsh Valley Eagles, who enter the season ranked first in the preseason coaches poll.

Behind head coach Jason Brower, now in his 15th year with the Eagles, Marsh Valley comes off a 16-10 season with two seniors and three juniors ready to compete at the varsity level.

Marsh Valley graduated a handful of impact players from last year’s team, including Jacob McNabb, Payton Campbell and Aaron Marshall. Brower said all three provided essential leadership on and off the court, something he hopes to see from his new contributors.

Brower said he expects his team to excel on the offensive side of the ball, led by senior point guard Hunter Argyle, senior guard Dalton Eagley and junior forward Cody Hansen. With great shooters across the board, Brower said attacking the rim will be a point of emphasis heading into 2019-2020.

Rounding out the three-team conference, the American Falls Beavers saw success near the beginning of last year before a complete collapse tanked their chances of a postseason berth. Starting Jan. 19, American Falls lost nine games in a row to close out the year, with two losses to Marsh Valley, in which the Eagles dropped 74 and 70 points, serving as low points of the losing streak.

The Beavers will be looking to rid that taste of their mouths heading into the new year behind.