Players to Watch
Lauren Driscoll, Aberdeen
Tayzlee Neal, Bear Lake
Saydee Shaul, Bear Lake
Oaklie Hebdon, Malad
Hallie Horsley, Malad
Jinettie Garbett, Soda Springs
Abby Goodin, Soda Springs
Tommi Henderson, West Side
Holly Kropf, West Side
Written by: Dallin Fryar
Winning is what Soda Springs has done for as long as one can remember, and last year was no exception. After not losing to a single 2A team all season, the Cardinals were handed their first 2A loss in the state championship game by Melba.
Everyone in the conference has been chasing the Cardinals for years, and with first team All-State selection Jinettie Garbett returning for her senior season, she and her teammates want to continue to add to the legacy that has been built at Soda Springs High School in girls basketball. This season Coach Josh Zentner describes his team as “speedy, feisty, and furious.” After not suffering a single conference loss last season, will any teams in the conference be able to do so this season?
The Ben Heusser era has begun at West Side, and he and the Lady Pirates want nothing less than to carry the momentum that was generated last season from an 18-9 record and a strong state tournament showing. Even after losing several seniors from that team, the Pirates return a few key players from last year’s squad including Tommi Henderson, Holly Kropf, and Harley Nielsen.
When asked about what the X-Factor to the Pirates success will be Heusser said: “Being competitive every night using our defense until our offense comes along.”
When it comes to the Bear Lake Bears and their strength it comes on the defensive side of the ball. Coach Ken Wells said, “We teach defense as a team game. We have had time to work on it to get better at it, so that should be our strength.”
The Bears are littered with varsity experience, which could become very important for them as the season progresses. Coach Wells believes that they could turn a lot of heads this season and with All-Conference selections Saydee Shaul and Tayzlee Neal returning, the Bears may do just that.
After a disappointing 2-19 season and 1-7 in conference play in 2022-23, Coach Andrew Jolley and the Aberdeen Tigers will look to rebound heading into the 2023-24 season. Their lone conference win last year came in a thrilling 57-55 victory over the Malad Dragons. They will have their work cut out for them with a strong 5th District conference.
The Malad Dragons are a young, upbeat group that is looking to build on a very strong 2022-23 campaign. As they build more chemistry and consistency, the Lady Dragons can become one of the up and coming teams over the next few years. With that being said the Lady Dragons believe this year could be an exciting one for them.
Coach Trevor Jones said, “Last year was about laying the foundation and building the program. This year we will look to capitalize on turning that potential into results. As our team chemistry continues to develop, it will be exciting to see additional improvements from the prior year.”