Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Blackfoot
2. Skyline
3. Hillcrest
T-4. Bonneville
T-4. Shelley
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Izzy Arave, Blackfoot
Hadley Humphreys, Blackfoot
Kianna Wright, Blackfoot
Tailer Thomas, Skyline
Macy Larsen, Hillcrest
Kaylie Kofe, Bonneville
Brinley Cannon, Shelley
Written by: Marlowe Hereford
For the second year in a row, the defending 4A state champion girls basketball team belongs to the 4A High Country Conference. A year ago, it was Bonneville who was defending champion upon going 27-0 in 2019-20 for its third title in program history. This winter, it is Blackfoot who is defending champion, capping a 21-7 season in February under first year head coach Raimee Odum with its first state title in program history.
The games have just begun for the 2021-22 season, but things bode well for the Broncos. Blackfoot is already tabbed the favorite in the conference and for defense of their 4A state title due to returning all five starters from last season: Hadley Humpherys (12 points, 10.7 rebounds, 52.3 shooting last season), Izzy Arave, Kianna Wright (11 points, six rebounds per game), Praire Caldwell and Espi Vergera. They are all seniors.
Odum said the Broncos kept perspective and responded well to challenges and setbacks last season, and they plan to continue that approach this winter.
"We had some up and down moments, but they focused on doing the little things right and it paid off in the end," Odum said. "A loss or an injury can seem like the end of the world at the moment. Being able to handle those challenges in stride without setting us back can help the team progress, which is our goal."
Furthermore, the Broncos only graduated two (Tylar Dalley and Yoleni Navarette) and have promising new additions in Minico transfer Kendi Anderson (sophomore) and Marlee Pieper, another sophomore who made her impact on defense last season.
"(Pieper) has grown another 1.5 inches this offseason, which will give us more length and her shot has improved as well," Odum said.
Odum anticipates more tight battles with defending district champion Skyline. The two teams faced each other six times last year, including at the 4A state tournament. The Grizzlies ended the season with the 4A state consolation title.
"They are a talented team that pushes us to become better," Odum said. "We would not have been the team we became last year without them."
Skyline, which reached its first state tournament in 14 years last season, is also highly favored by conference coaches. However, the Grizzlies will be without the services of senior Mattie Olson (20.6 points per game, 45 percent shooting, 5A/4A first team all conference last season), a Montana State signee who suffered a knee injury in the fall, had surgery and will miss both basketball and track season.
Tailer Thomas, Sienna Taylor, Kysa Shippen and Teresa Ledezma, who missed last season with a torn ACL, return for Skyline. New additions coach Ty Keck is looking forward to seeing contribute are junior guard Claire Petersen, junior wing Kenzi Taylor and freshman wing Shay Shippen.
Keck said the Grizz want to play 'fast, furious and relentless' like they did last season, but will need to be stronger on the glass as Skyline lost its top two rebounders.
Hillcrest returns one of the best all-around players in District 6 in senior Macy Larsen, who signed with NCAA Division II program Colorado Mesa. Larsen, who burst onto the scene and got significant minutes as a freshman for the 2019 district champion Knights, made her way into Hillcrest's record books as a junior with 3-pointers in a single game (7), points in a game (41) and consecutive free throws made (28). Additionally, she averaged 18 points, 5.3 rebounds and four assists last season. Also returning on varsity for the Knights are Amber Sargent (junior), Brooke Cook (junior), Nyah Lugo (junior), Quinnliegh Kesler (sophomore) and Autumn Peterson (senior).
Bonneville graduated guard Sydnee Hunt (5A/4A second team all-conference) and has a new coach in Mike Harrigfeld. Returning for the Bees is Kaylie Kofe, a sophomore who Keck described as speedy and a strong defender.
Keck said he anticipates Shelley to surprise people this season. The Russets, who are in their fourth year in 4A, went 4-18 last season and return Brinley Cannon, who is difficult to game plan for due to her length and her shooting, dribbling and defensive strengths.
"They have been on the rise the last three years and they have young, talented players who are also now pretty experienced on the varsity level," Keck said. "They have proven to be a team that is extremely resilient and never backs down from a challenge."