PLAYERS TO WATCH
Beau Brower, American Falls
Josh Nebeker, American Falls
El Hadley, Marsh Valley
Paxton Belnap, Marsh Valley
Marcus Coombs, Snake River
Luke Higginson, Snake River
Written by: Brandon Baney
For as long as Robert Coombs has patrolled the sidelines at Snake River High School (31 years), the Panthers have been a contender not just for the District 5 title, but the Class 3A championship, as well.
In his thirty-plus seasons as Snake River head coach, Coombs has led the Panthers to over 500 wins and five titles (2000, 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2013). It’s helped that all four of Coombs’ sons (Brad, Tyler, Chandler and Marcus) have been excellent players, but the overall success of the program is incredible.
Marcus is the last of the Coombs boys, and the 6-foot-5 junior averaged 16 points per game a year ago. Combine that with 6-foot-2 senior guard Luke Higginson’s 21 points per game, and you can see why coaches have selected Snake River as the favorite yet again in the South East Idaho Conference.
“We have a lot of returning players that can score and have a lot of experience,” says coach Coombs. “We also have very good speed and three players over 6-foot-5.”
Right behind Snake River, though, is American Falls. The Beavers went 10-10 a season ago, and bring back a solid group of athletes that are ready to take the next step under fourth-year coach Jason Brower. “As a varsity team, we lost two total players,” says Brower. “All of our key returners have had varsity experience since their sophomore year, which will help our team.”
The American Falls starting lineup will feature the Brower brothers (senior Beau and junior Dax) at the guard spots. They’ll be flanked by junior forward Austin Adair and senior posts Josh Nebeker and Wyatt Anderson. Sophomore point guard Zak Grigg played as a freshman a year ago, and will also play valuable minutes for the Beavers.
“As a team we can really get out and run,” says coach Brower. “We will be able to attack the rim and also shoot the three-ball pretty well. But second chance points will be important. We will work on crashing the boards and getting points that way.”
That athleticism will also help on defense. “We will be able to pressure the ball and force some turnovers,” says Brower. “We have good speed and we will be able to defend man to man.”
As long as everyone stays committed and on the same page, there’s an expectation that American Falls will compete for a berth to state. “This team’s X-factor is that we play together,” says Brower. “As a group we are willing to do what is necessary for the group to win. We have enough good players that if one is not playing great, we will be able to pick each other up.”
While Snake River and American Falls return established cores, Marsh Valley is at the other end of the pendulum. After going 63-16 the past three seasons, the Eagles are hitting the reset button with a new group of players, and a new head coach as well. Kent Howell, who led the Eagles to the 2021 3A state title, was promoted to Marsh Valley’s Athletic Director position, so Chris Ball will now assume coaching duties.