Players to Watch:
Logan Gamett, Butte County
Brody Westergard, Butte County
Ty Farr, Challis
Garrett Hunt, Challis
Tytan Anderson, Grace
Dallon Draper, Grace
Ty Gilbert, Grace
Written by: Will Hoenike
It’s a bit of a reversal of outlook in the 1A Division 1 High Desert Conference from fall to winter but there’s a good chance the outcome could be the same.
This fall, the Grace Grizzlies football team flew under the radar much of the season before streaking through the postseason to the classification’s state championship game. The school’s basketball team will not have the luxury of catching anyone by surprise – dating back to the 2015-2016 season, the Grizzlies have reached the state semifinals six times.
With reigning High Desert Player of the Year Ty Gilbert back, it’s not impossible to envision the team reaching the 1A Division 1 “final four” again.
It’s a senior-laden roster that comes into the winter exuding confidence after the strong fall on the football field. Dallon Draper opened the season with a solid nine-point, nine-rebound outing against 2A foe Bear Lake to open the season. Tytan Anderson, Peyton Reeves, and William Mickelson combined to contribute 18 points and 13 rebounds in that game as well. All four players, like Gilbert, are seniors. The team has good size and should be able to take advantage of it around the hoop.
The Challis Vikings, led by first-year head coach Justin Farr, will rely on a nucleus of juniors as they look to return to the state tournament for the first time since the 2018-19 season. Ty Farr and Drue Crist will lead the way in the backcourt for the Vikings while Garrett Hunt will fill a key role in the front court for the team. Sophomore Jacen Farr brings versatility and athleticism to the Challis lineup.
“We have some good ball-handlers and outside shooters,” Coach Farr said. “(We are) a young team that is playing well together.”
The Butte County Pirates opened the season with a pair of competitive losses against teams that are expected to contend for state-tournament berths at the end of the season. Third-year head coach Mindy Gamett knows the Pirates would face an early learning curve that will hopefully pay dividends in February and March.
“I only have four players who played varsity minutes last year, so I am hopeful a handful of my incoming juniors will be able to step in and make an impact,” Gamett said. “It will be interesting to see who steps up to contribute. I have nine very capable basketball players on varsity, but five of them lack varsity experience.”
The Pirates will feel the effect of losing three all-conference caliber players in Konner Lambson, Boone Gamett, and Porter Taylor. However, second-team All-High Desert guard Logan Gamett returns to handle the ball and run the point for the team. Cory Gamett will be a key figure down low for the team while Brody Westergard will be counted on to contribute at both ends of the court as well.
Coach Gamett thinks little things – like offensive rebounds and execution on inbounds plays – will help define the success of this Pirates team. But they’ll get on the floor and work to be one of the final teams standing.
“This group has incredible chemistry and they love playing with each other,” Gamett said. “They have great basketball IQ. These boys really like playing basketball and like to have fun on the court.”
With just three teams in the conference, the value of peaking at the right time – mid-February, at the district tournament – can’t be overstated. Let the race to the district title begin!