ORDER GAME PHOTOS

5A STATE TOURNAMENT

BOISE BRAVE
Record: 22-1
State seed: #1, District 3 champ
Coach: Kim Brydges, 19th season
Players to watch: G/F Avery Howell, sr.; G/F Kaity Haan, jr.; G Avery Patricco, jr. 
Notes: At state for seventh straight year, the longest active streak in 5A. … Won a trophy four years in a row, including third place last year.  … Ranked No. 1 in final state media poll. … Won 19 straight games by average of 32.2 points. Only loss this season was at home against Lake City (49-43) on Nov. 16. … 7-1 vs. 5A state qualifiers. … Three-time defending district champ. … Howell is the second McDonald’s All-American in state history. She has signed with USC and is ranked by ESPN as the No. 23 prospect in the country. The reigning 5A All-Idaho and Gatorade player of the year is averaging 20.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.1 steals per game. She’s recorded a double-double in 15 of 23 games. … An ankle injury sidelined Haan (10.1 ppg, 5.8 rebounds) for much of January. But she returned in time for the district tournament. … 5A’s top defense (31.1 ppg) and No. 2 offense (62 ppg). … Shooting 37% as a team behind the 3-point line, averaging 6.9 3-pointers per game. … Won three state titles (2005, 2002, 1978). … Played in seven state championship games, the last in 2022. 


COEUR D’ALENE VIKINGS
Record: 17-5
State seed: #4, District 1-2 champ
Coach: Nicole Symons, fifth season
Players to watch: PG Teagan Colvin, sr.; G Madison Mitchell, sr.; F Kelsey Carroll, jr. G Brookeslee Colvin, fr.; G Kendall Holecek, sr.
Notes: Defending champions are at state for the second straight year, and fourth time in five seasons. … Ranked No. 4 in final state media poll. … Teagan Colvin (17 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists per game), who has signed with UNLV, missed part of the season with a broken right hand, but returned just before districts. Her sister, Brookeslee, already has a handful of college offers, including from Washington State and Iowa. … Beat Owyhee and Rocky Mountain and lost to Boise, and lost to Rigby in semifinals at Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas. … Last year’s state title was the Vikings’ 10th in program history. 


LAKE CITY TIMBERWOLVES
Record: 23-2
State seed: #2, Play-in game winner
Coach: David Pratt, first season.
Players to watch: G Avery Waddington, sr.; G Sophia Zufelt, sr.; G Kamryn Pickford, sr.; F KaLiah Frazey, sr.
Notes: At state for the second time in three seasons, with state titles in 1995 and 2006. … Placed third in 2022. … Did not qualify last year. … Waddington (17 ppg, 8 rebounds), who has signed with Montana, and Zufelt (15 points, 4 assists) are four-year varsity players. … KaLiah Frazey has committed to NAIA Langston University in Oklahoma. ... Handed Boise its only loss in the season opener at Boise. Beat Owyhee, and lost to Rocky Mountain … Pratt, girls coach at Mt. Spokane the past eight seasons, replaced James Anderson, who took over as Lake City boys coach … Ranked No. 2 in the final state media poll. 


MADISON BOBCATS
Record: 18-8
State seed: #8, Play-in game winner
Coach: Luke Sutton, third season
Players to watch: G Mia Walsh, so.; G Maggie Anderson, jr.; F Nora Waddoups, jr.
Notes: First state tournament since 2017, when the Bobcats went 1-2. ... Last state trophy was in 2012, when they won the 4A consolation title. ... Only losses since Jan. 1 were to rival and conference champ Rigby four times. … The lineup is relatively young with just two seniors on the roster. Two sophomores and two juniors start. ... Walsh leads the team at 11.6 points per game and 6.8 rebounds.


MIDDLETON VIKINGS
Record: 20-4
State seed: #7, District 3 third/fourth place
Coach: Marianne Blackwell, first season
Players to watch: G Zoey Blackwell, so.; G Elsie Wyatt, jr.; G Robynn Flowers, jr.; W/P Miley Steel, so. 
Notes: First 5A state tournament appearance in program history. Had made six straight 4A state tournaments before moving up to 5A last season. … Ranked fifth in final state media poll. … Starts zero seniors and three sophomores. … 2-2 vs. 5A state qualifiers … Had a 16-game winning streak snapped by Rocky Mountain in the district semifinals, but bounced back to beat Eagle in a winner-to-state game to win 17 of its last 18. … Picked sixth out of 13 teams in the 5A SIC preseason coaches’ poll. … Zoey Blackwell leads the team in points (13.5), rebounds (5.2), assists (3.3), steals (4.0) and field-goal percentage (46%). … Wyatt (9.2 ppg), Flowers (7.0 ppg) and Steele (6.8 ppg) provide balanced scoring options to keep teams from focusing solely on Blackwell. … Marianne Blackwell is Middleton’s sixth coach in the past six years. The 1998 Middleton grad played at BYU and reached the Sweet 16. She coaches two of her daughters, Zoey and Olivia Blackwell, a freshman. … Won five state titles, all under current Timberline coach Andy Jones. The last was in 2017. … Played in seven state title games, the last in 2017. 


OWYHEE STORM
Record: 16-8
State seed: #6, District 3 third/fourth place
Coach: Jordan Ax, third season
Players to watch: G Sydnie Rodriguez, sr.; F Riley Beck, jr.; F Mikale Roy, jr.; G Josie Davis, jr. 
Notes: Third-year program returns to state for second straight year. Returns all five starters from that team, which went 1-2 and fell in the consolation final. … Unranked in final state media poll. … 0-8 vs. 5A state qualifiers. … Lost 65-38 to its first-round opponent, Rigby, on Dec. 2. … Starts four players at or over 5-foot-10. … Won six of its last seven games. … Rodriguez (13.7 ppg, 4.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists) has signed with the University of Seattle and was a second-team All-Idaho pick last year. She had to sit out the district and state tournaments last year due to IHSAA transfer rules. … Roy (8.2 ppg, 2.1 assists) hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to clinch a state tournament berth in a 58-57 win vs. Timberline. … Five players average seven or more points per game, including Beck (10.2), Davis (8.0) and Maiya Hardy (7.1). 


RIGBY TROJANS
Record: 22-2
State seed: #3, District 6 champ
Coach: Todd Barber, third season
Players to watch: G/F Kambree Barber, sr.; G Kinzley Larsen, so.; G/F Mylee Graham, sr.
Notes: The Trojans make their sixth straight state tournament appearance. ... They won the consolation trophy last year and finished third in 2021. ... Barber, a BYU signee, tops the team in scoring at 17.1 points and rebounds at 11.0, but it's been a balanced effort with Mylee Graham (11.6) and Kinzley Larsen (10.5) each averaging double figures on a team that ranks second in 5A with 61.1 points per game. ... Won 10 straight heading into the tournament. … Never won a state title and made its only finals appearance in 2012. 


ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRIZZLIES
Record: 17-6
State seed: #5, District 3 runner-up
Coach: BJ Humphreys, fifth season
Players to watch: G Cianna Legaspi, sr.; G Logan Sailors, jr.; F Anna DaBell, sr.; G Averee Osterhoust, sr.
Notes: Defending state runner-up after making a surprise run to the finals as the No. 7 seed with back-to-back overtime wins. … At state for third straight year. … Unranked in final state media poll. … 4-5 vs. 5A state qualifiers. … Lost 58-54 to its first-round opponent, Coeur d’Alene, on Dec. 2. … Third-best defense in 5A (39.1 ppg). … Legaspi (9.0 ppg, 5.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists) has signed with Cal Baptist of the WAC and was a second-team All-Idaho pick last year. … Sailors (11.6 ppg) is the only player averaging double digits, but DaBell (9.5 ppg, 5.6 rebounds), Legaspi and Osterhout (7.5 ppg) can all carry the team on any given night. … Never won a state title. … Played in two state finals (2023, 2014).  



4A STATE TOURNAMENT


BISHOP KELLY KNIGHTS
Record: 18-4
State seed: #5, District 3 champ
Coach: Derek McCormick, 16th season
Players to watch: C Addy Laible, sr.; G Jordyn Carnell, sr.; G Brooke Hutchinson, jr.; G Keira Lizama, sr.
Notes: At the state tournament for the third year in a row. … Finished third at state last year. … Only state title came in 2013. … Defeated Columbia 57-32 in the district championship. … On an 8-game win streak. … Two of their four losses came against Boise and Owyhee, who are both in the 5A state tournament. … No. 4 in final state media poll. … State-leading defense (36.5 ppg), including 30 ppg in conference play. … Go-to player is Laible, who they like to feed in the post early and often. … Laible, Carnell and Lizama were all-conference players last season. 


COLUMBIA WILDCATS
Record: 13-12
State seed: #8, District 3 runner-up
Coach: Neal Robertson, sixth season
Players to watch: G Ellie Robertson, sr.; F Addy Bayne, jr.; G Jada Myers, sr.; 
Notes: At state for the third time in four years after making it for the first time in 2021. … Reached third-place game last year, losing to Bishop Kelly. … Defeated Ridgevue 47-46 in a winner-to-state game. … Defeated Ridgevue twice in the district tournament after losing both games to them in the regular season. … Only four losses in conference play game to Bishop Kelly and Ridgevue. … Robertson (13.1 ppg, 5.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.3 steals) and Myers (9.5 ppg, 1.2 steals) were all-conference last year. … Bayne transferred from Liberty Charter and is second on the team in scoring (9.3 ppg) and first in rebounding (8.8). … Started the season 1-5 and was 6-10 in early January. 


JEROME TIGERS
Record: 19-5
State seed: #7, District 4 runner-up
Coach: Kelly Williams, second season
Players to watch: G Emma Allen, jr; F Emily Lloyd, jr.; G Katie Larsen, sr; F Autumn Allen, sr.
Notes: First state tournament appearance since 2010, when they finished third. … Beat Twin Falls in district second-place game after losing to Bruins in same game last year. … Won 14 in a row earlier this season after a 2-3 start. … Handed Minico only conference loss. … Third in 4A in points per game (56.5) and margin of victory (15.5). … 1-2 vs. tournament field. … Won only state championship in 2004. 


LAKELAND HAWKS
Record: 13-9
State seed: #4, District 1-2 champ
Coach: Tyrel Derrick, second season.
Players to watch: G Landree Simon, jr., G; Lila Kiefer, sr., G; Payton Sterling, sr., G; Karstyn Kiefer, so., G.
Notes: First trip to state since 2019, which was Lakeland’s last trip to state since 2009 — the last time the Hawks won a game at state. … Lakeland beat defending state champion Sandpoint in a best-of-3 series for the district title — with all three games at Sandpoint. … Simon averages 19.6 points per game, Lila Kiefer 10.7 points and 10 rebounds, Karstyn Kiefer four steals. … Took Pocatello to overtime at the East Idaho Holiday Shootout in December, and lost to Teton, the No. 1 seed in 3A. … Won state 3A titles in 2001 and ‘02. … Unranked in final state media poll.


MINICO SPARTANS
Record: 16-6
State seed: #6, District 4 champ
Coach: Anna Bateman, eighth season
Players to watch: G Carlie (CJ) Latta, sr; F Jentree Bott, sr
Notes: Latta is a Utah State signee and set the record for most points at the 4A state tournament last year with 95. … Won back-to-back district titles for first time in 45 years. … Latta and Bateman won back-to-back Great Basin Conference player and coach of the year awards. … Ranks fourth in 4A in points per game (55.4). … 2-4 vs. tournament field with wins over Pocatello and Jerome. … On a seven-game winning streak. … Never won a state title. … Last trophy was consolation in 2018. … No. 5 in final media poll. 


POCATELLO THUNDER 
Record: 17-5
State seed: #2, District 5 champ
Coach: Sunny Evans, fifth season
Players to watch: P Kennasyn Garza, jr.; F Abby Lusk, so.; F Saige Hagler, jr.
Notes: Won state consolation last year. … Making back-to-back state tournament appearances for the first time in a decade. … This year’s seniors went 1-20 in 2021. … Never won a state championship. … Played in three state finals, the last in 1995. … Finished No. 3 in the final state media poll. … Won 12 out of its last 13 games. All but one of those have come by double digits. Hasn’t lost to a 4A team during that timespan. … 4-5 against state qualifiers. … Garza is already over 1,000 career points. She is averaging a double-double for the season at 18.4 points and 12.4 rebounds per game. … Lusk, who was all-state in volleyball, is nearly averaging a double-double at 16.1 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. … Hagler is scoring 8.9 ppg.


SHELLEY RUSSETS
Record: 22-0
State seed: #1, District 6 champ
Coach: Jessica Carlson, fifth season
Players to watch: F/G Brinley Cannon, sr.; G Mia Williams, jr.; G Kaci Lang, sr.
Notes: The Russets won their first state trophy at the 4A level last season when they finished second. ... Cannon, a BYU signee and the reigning 4A All-Idaho Player of the Year, averages 22.1 points, nearly 11 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game. … The Russets haven't lost since last year's title game and have defeated opponents this year by 38.7 per game. ... They average nearly 69.2 ppg, the most across all classifications. But the defense may be overlooked as Shelley is second among 4A teams with 30.5 points allowed per game. 


SKYLINE GRIZZLIES
Record: 17-7
State seed: #3, District 6 runner-up
Coach: Ty Keck, ninth season
Players to watch: G Shay Shippen, jr.; G/F Kysa Shippen, sr.; G Taya Tews, sr.
Notes: Avenged an earlier loss to Blackfoot to earn the district's second seed. ... Shay Shippen averages 23.8 points and 12.9 rebounds and has been a force since leading the Grizzlies to the 4A championship game two years ago as a freshman. ... Skyline did not make the state tournament last season, but persevered through a tough schedule this year with key losses to No. 1 Shelley twice, 5A district champ Rigby, and Pocatello, which is seeded second in the state bracket and could be a potential semifinal matchup. … Never won a state title and played in its only championship game in 2022. 




3A STATE TOURNAMENT 


AMERICAN FALLS BEAVERS 
Record: 11-14
State seed: #7, Play-in game winner
Coach: Stephen Grigg, seventh season 
Players to watch: G Eden Jensen, fr.; G Aliana Cruces, so.; G Addison Jensen, jr.
Notes: First state tournament appearance since 2006. … Won only state championship in 2000. Beavers haven’t place at state since. They have placed only five times overall since 1986. … When Grigg took over, American Falls hadn’t won a game in two full seasons for a 38-game losing streak. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … 0-9 against state qualifiers. Eden and Addison are sisters. Eden didn’t start at the beginning of the season but is now the team’s leading scorer at 8.7 points per game. … Cruces and Addison are putting up 7.0 and 6.8 ppg, respectively.


FILER WILDCATS
Record: 14-10
State seed: #6, District 4 champ
Coach: Clayton Nebeker, third season
Players to watch: F Hazel Fischer, sr; G Tanli LeMoyne, so; F Allie Bishop, sr
Notes: Five-time defending District 4 champions qualified for fifth straight state tournament… Last state trophy was in 2021, when it finished third. … Searching for first state title since 2014 and second overall. … Boasted a 40-game win streak against conference opponents until Jan. 16, when Kimberly won. … Unranked in final media poll. … 3-3 against 3A state qualifiers. 


FRUITLAND GRIZZLIES
Record: 12-9
State seed: #5, District 3 runner-up
Coach: Willie Lake, second season
Players to watch: G Aleski Drollinger, jr.; F Brooke Hardy, so.; F Lydia Lindsey, jr.; C Briyer Howell, sr.
Notes: Back at state after a one-year absence. … Last won a trophy in 2015 (consolation). … Never won a state championship. … Only faced one 3A state qualifier, recording a 1-2 record against first-round opponent Parma. … Hardy is averaging a team-leading 14.4 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. … Unranked in final state media poll. … In addition to Hardy, three players average seven points and five rebounds or more per game, including Drollinger (10.4 ppg, 5.9 rebounds), Lindsey (7.9 ppg, 5.1 rebounds) and Howell (7.2 ppg. 8.4 rebounds). … Drollinger also grabs an average of 3.3 steals per game.


KIMBERLY BULLDOGS
Record: 14-12
State seed: #8, District 4 runner-up
Coach: Scott Plew, second season
Players to watch: F Macy Dille, sr; G Taya Plew, fr; G Berkley Dille, jr
Notes: First state tournament appearance since 2020. … Outscored McCall-Donnelly 14-5 in fourth quarter of play-in game for 45-44 win. … Snapped Filer’s 40-game win streak against conference opponents during regular season. … Also beat Parma. … 2-5 vs. tournament field. … Won only state championship in 1984. … Last trophy was for third place in 2017. 


PARMA PANTHERS
Record: 18-6
State seed: #4, District 3 champ
Coach: Michael Calkins, 12th season
Players to watch: G Rylie Calkins, jr.; G Sidney Jackson, sr.; F Haylee Gentry, jr.; G Aarey Harris, so.
Notes: At state for the eighth straight year, the longest active streak in 3A. … No. 4 in the final state media poll. … Went 3-1 against 3A state qualifiers this season, including a 2-1 record against first-round opponent Fruitland. … Last won a trophy in 2020 (third place). … Reached its only finals in 2019. … Never won a state title. … Rylie Calkins scored her 1,000th career point earlier this season against McCall-Donnelly and is averaging a team-best 17.4 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game. … Coach Michael Calkins notched his 200th career win in the district title victory over Fruitland last week. … Features balanced scoring with the help of Jackson (10 ppg, 4.8 rebounds, 4.2 steals), Harris (7.8 ppg, 5 rebounds) and Gentry (6.6 ppg, 6.5 rebounds, 3.6 steals).


SNAKE RIVER PANTHERS
Record: 17-6
State seed: #2, District 5 champ
Coach: Lincoln Driscoll, first season
Players to watch: G Rylie Edlefsen, sr.; P Reese Baldwin, sr.; G Camdyn Dunn, sr.
Notes: Reigning state champion. Also won state in 2013. … At state for the seventh season in a row. Has taken home a state trophy in all but two of those years, including two runner-up finishes. …  Edlefson (17.6 ppg), last year’s 3A state player of the year, was thought to be out for the season with a fractured hand. But she made her return in the district championship game. She is signed with Northwest Nazarene University. … Snake River went 7-2 in her absence. … Finished No. 2 in the final state media poll. … 11-2 against state qualifiers in all classifications. Only two losses were to No. 1 Teton, and one of those was without Edlefsen.


TETON TIMBERWOLVES
Record: 22-1
State seed: #1, District 6 champ
Coach: Patrick Hogan, second season
Players to watch: F Reese Kunz, sr.; G/F Abi Barkdull, jr.; G Grace Hogan, sr.
Notes: The Timberwolves survived a tough Mountain Rivers Conference with perennial power Sugar-Salem and upstart South Fremont each vying for the district title. ... Teton, whose only loss came in the regular season to rival Sugar-Salem, held off the Diggers 53-49 in the district tournament semifinals and then downed South Fremont to win the title. ... Finished third at the state tournament last year and was second in 2022, its only championship game appearance.  … The roster is heavy with upperclassmen and tournament experience with five seniors and five juniors. … Unanimous No. 1 in final state media poll. 


TIMBERLAKE TIGERS
Record: 16-6
State seed: #3, District 1 champ
Coach: Matt Miller, 19th season
Players to watch: F Kurtsten McKellips, sr.; PG Jozee MacArthur, jr.; G Payton Young, so.; P Diana Nelson, jr.
Notes: At state for the 13th time in 16 seasons. The Tigers have won four state titles, the last in 2021, and has finished second four times and third twice during that span. … Last year’s state runners-up have played the whole season without guard Malia Miller, a first-team All-Idaho pick last year, who suffered a torn ACL last summer. But nearly everyone else returned, including MacArthur (8.1 ppg, 3.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.5 steals), Nelson (9.1 ppg, 9.6 rebounds), Young (7.9 ppg, 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.8 steals), and junior Marissa Needs (7.2 ppg, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.4 steals). The Tigers also added McKellips (11.1 ppg, 4.2 rebounds), who played the last three seasons at 5A Lake City. … Miller recently recorded his 300th career coaching victory. … Ranked No. 3 in final state media poll.



2A STATE TOURNAMENT


BEAR LAKE BEARS
Record: 20-3
State seed: #2, District 5 champ
Coach: Ken Wells, second season
Players to watch: G Saydee Shaul, jr.; P Lily Crockett, sr.; F Halle Wells, fr.
Notes: Back at state for the first time since 2021, when it was the state runner-up. … Only at state for the third time in the last 15 years. … Lone state title was in 1999. … Claimed first district championship in 16 years. Did so by beating Soda Springs for the first time in 14 years. … Most wins since 2008. … Finished No. 3 in the final state media poll. … Just the second winning season in the last 12 years. … 5-3 against state qualifiers. … Only losses were to Soda Springs and Grace. The Bears also beat both of them. … Shaul leads the team in points (11.8 per game) and assists (5.0). … Halle Wells, the coach’s daughter, averaged 11.4 points and 9.1 rebounds. … Crockett adds 6.0 points and 8.0 rebounds per game. 


COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHARGERS
Record: 17-6
State seed: #3, District 3 champ
Coach: Matt Beglinger, fourth season
Players to watch: F Hadley Fraas, sr.; G Trinity Holsinger, so.; G Tessa Orcutt, so. 
Notes: 11th straight year at state. … Defeated Melba 50-47 in district championship, the eighth straight meeting between them in the district final. … State champions in 2022 and runner-up in 2020. … Split regular season meetings with Melba. … Will move up a classification next season to the new 4A. … Three of six losses this season came to 5A schools. … Lost 66-62 to Grangeville on Nov. 11. … Fraas (15.3 ppg, 7.7 rebounds, 2.1 steals) was first-team All-Idaho last year and second-team as a sophomore. … Holsinger (15.5 ppg, 3.5 rebounds, 2.6 steals) and Orcutt (6.4 ppg, 3.4 rebounds) were all-conference last year. 


DECLO HORNETS
Record: 17-5
State seed: #7, District 4 champ
Coach: Cody Powers, second season
Players to watch: F Brynn Silcock, sr; G Lilly Mallory, sr;
Notes: Three-time defending District 4 champions at third straight state tournament. … Third in 2012, its last state trophy. … Searching for state title since 1990 and second in school history. … Seeking first first-round win since 2020. … Enters state on five-game win streak. … Unranked in final media poll. … Did not play a 2A state qualifier in the regular season. … 0-2 against other state qualifiers (Oakley, Filer). … Allows second fewest points per game in 2A (37.4). 


GRANGEVILLE BULLDOGS
Record: 21-2
State seed: #1, District 1-2 champ
Coach: Michelle Barger, seventh season
Players to watch: F Madalyn Green, jr.; G Caryss Barger so.; G/F Addisyn Vanderwall; G/F Mattie Thacker sr. 
Notes: Lost the consolation final 51-49 a year ago vs. Ririe. … Sixth consecutive state berth. … Ranked No. 1 in the final state poll. … On a 12-game winning streak. … Averaging over 64 points per game, the most in the 2A classification. … Lost to No. 2-ranked (4A) Sandpoint in overtime 64-58. … 3-0 against 2A state qualifiers. … Eight-time state champion (1977, 1979 in 3A; 1994, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2011 in 2A).


KELLOGG WILDCATS
Record: 15-9
State seed: #8, Play-in game winner
Coach: Jana Nearing, seventh season
Players to watch: G Macy Jerome, sr.; F Emily Coe, sr.; P Dani Schillereff, sr.
Notes: Last qualified for state in 2022 in 3A, before dropping down to 2A last year. Before that, Kellogg’s last trip to state was in 2010. … Wildcats were state runners-up in 2006 and 2010. … Jerome averages 20 points, 3 assists per game. … Coe went over 500 career rebounds earlier this year. ... Never won a state title. … Unranked in final state media poll.


MELBA MUSTANGS
Record: 16-6
State seed: #5, District 3 runners-up
Coach: David Lenz, eigth season
Players to watch: G Brooklyn Dayley, sr.; F Tariah Carter, jr.; F Ellie Johnson, so.; F Darby Lowber, so.
Notes: Defending state champs after going 26-0 last season. … Eighth straight year at state. … Lost to Cole Valley in District championship. … Also won state in 2021. … Won nine in a row before district championship. … Dayley (18.3 ppg, 7.6 assist, 3.5 rebounds) was first-team all-state last season. … Carter (13.5 ppg, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 steals, 2.3 blocks), Johnson (11.1 ppg, 2.6 rebounds) and Lowber (5.3 ppg, 6.3 rebounds) are other players to watch. … Lost to Grangeville 65-56 in season opener. 


NORTH FREMONT HUSKIES
Record: 18-6
State seed: #4, District 6 champ
Coach: Ben Lenz, 25th season
Players to watch: C Josie Richardson, jr.; F Alyssa Hill, sr.; F Emrie Lenz, sr.
Notes: Last made the state tournament in 2022, but Huskies went 0-2 in their first appearance since winning a state title in 2013. ... Richardson averages 12.2 points and 4.9 rebounds. Hill averages 8.3 points, and Emrie Lenz averages 9.3 points and 5.3 rebounds. ... The Huskies enter the tournament having won 13 straight games. … Played in its only state championship game in 2013, winning it. … No. 5 in final state media poll. 


SODA SPRINGS CARDINALS
Record: 13-13
State seed: #7, Play-in game winner
Coach: Mat Gronning, interim coach
Players to watch: G Jinettie Garbett, sr.; G Abby Goodin, jr.; G Gracie Moldenhauer, jr.
Notes: Defending state runner-up. Has placed at state in nine consecutive seasons. … Four-time state champions (2015, ‘18, ‘19, ‘20). …  At state for 22nd straight year. … Finished unranked in the final state media poll despite winning the regular season 2A South East Idaho Conference title. … Mat Gronning took over midseason from Josh Zentner when he abruptly stepped down after just a little more than one season. Soda Springs is now on its third coach in as many seasons. … 9-4 since Jan. 4 after getting off to one of the worst starts in recent memory at 1-6. … 2-6 against state qualifiers. … Garbett is averaging a double-double at 15 points and 10 rebounds per game. She signed with Idaho State for track and field. … Goodin and Moldenhauer are both averaging 10 points, four rebounds and three assists per game.



1A DIVISION I STATE TOURNAMENT 


GRACE GRIZZLIES
Record: 19-3
State seed: #1, District 5-6 champ
Coach: Kyle Christensen, sixth season
Players to watch: F Sydnee Smith, sr.; G Melodie Straatman, sr.; G Jacie Christensen, sr.
Notes: Won state consolation championship last season. … Placed at state in four of the last five seasons, including 2021 state title. … Has won six district titles over the last seven years. … Finished No. 1 in the final state media poll. Was ranked No. 1 in the state media poll for the last four weeks of the season. … Own a 13-game winning streak, which is the third longest active streak in the state behind only Shelley and Boise. All 13 wins have come by double figures. … Hasn’t lost to a 1A team of any kind this season. … Only losses are to 2A state qualifier Bear Lake, which it also beat, Grantsville (Utah) and 3A’s Sugar-Salem. … 6-1 against state qualifiers. … Smith (11.8 ppg), Straatman (10.8 ppg) and Christensen (7.4 ppg) all played 18-20 minutes per game on the  2021 state championship team.


LAPWAI WILDCATS
Record: 18-5
State seed: #3, District Two champ
Coach: Josh Leighton, first season
Players to watch: F Jayden Leighton, sr.; F Qubilah Mitchell, sr.; SG Skylin Parrish, so. 
Notes: Josh Leighton is also head coach of Lapwai's football team. … At state for the 24th straight year, the longest streak in Idaho girls basketball. … Finished first, second or third in the past 14 out of 15 years. … 11 consecutive district championships. … Ranked No. 2 in the final state poll. … Went 4-0 against 1A Division I state qualifiers, all against Prairie. … Beat 2A state qualifier Melba 76-50 on Nov. 11. … A record 11-time state champion.


LIBERTY CHARTER PATRIOTS
Record: 13-5
State seed: #7, District 3 runner-up
Coach: Brad McCain, 10th season
Players to watch: G Jennabelle Reece, jr.; G Aspen Davis, sr.
Notes: The Patriots are making their 10th straight appearance at state, but have never won a first-round game. … Last won a trophy in 2018 (consolation). … Went 1-2 this season against 1A Division I state qualifiers, losing to Murtaugh and splitting with Rimrock. … Owns the classification’s top-ranked defense, limiting opponents to 24.65 points per game. … Unranked in final state media poll. … Led by a pair of guards in Reece (9.9 ppg, 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals) and Aspen Davis (6.7 ppg, 2.6 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.1 assists).


MURTAUGH RED DEVILS
Record: 18-4
State seed: #4, District 4 runner-up
Coach: Todd Jensen, seventh season
Players to watch: G Ady Stanger, sr; F Ashlee Stanger, sr; G Bryleigh Widmier, sr; F Courtney
Jensen; sr
Notes: First state tournament appearance since 2021. … Just second appearance since 1997. … Beat Valley in district second-place game to qualify for state. … Highest scoring team in 1ADI (59.7 ppg). … No. 3 in final state media poll. … 5-2 vs. tournament field with three wins against Valley, one against Oakley and one vs. Liberty Charter. … Never won a state championship. 


OAKLEY HORNETS
Record: 17-5
State seed: #2, District 4 champ
Coach: Kirstin Jones, first season
Players to watch: G Taylin Beck, so; G/F Jentry Hawker, sr; G/F Kaymbri Beck, sr;
Notes: Back-to-back District 4 champs return to state for third straight time. … Defending state runner-up after falling to conference rival Raft River last year. … Searching for first state title since 2018, the only state title in program history. … Enters state on seven-game win streak. … Return four from last year’s squad. … Ranked No. 2 in final media poll. … 4-3 against 1ADI state qualifiers. 


PRAIRIE PIRATES
Record: 17-7
State seed: #5, District 2 runner-up
Coach: Lori Mader, 14th season
Players to watch: G Lexi Schumacher, so.; W Allie Geis, sr.; P Sage Elven, so.; P Kylie Schumacher, so.
Notes: Only one senior on the roster. … Won the third place game 59-47 a year ago vs. Lapwai … At state for the 14th consecutive season. … Ranked No. 5 in the final state media poll. … Lost to Lapwai 39-27 in the district championship, their 12th consecutive meeting for the district title. … Won nine state titles (1977, ‘78, ‘81, ‘88, ‘92, ‘97 in Class 2A; 2012, ‘14 in Class 1A DI). 


RIMROCK RAIDERS
Record: 14-7
State seed: #8, District 3 champ
Coach: Kyla Jewett, sixth season
Players to watch: PF Ashten Moore, sr.
Notes: Returns to state after a two-year absence. … Last won a trophy in 2021 (consolation). … Enters state on a six-game winning streak. … Owns two state championships, winning back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004. … Unranked in final state media poll. 


VALLEY VIKINGS
Record: 15-9
State seed: #6, Play-in game winner
Coach: Derek Malone, first season
Players to watch: G Joanie Lewis, jr; G Lexi Huettig, jr; F Afton Godfrey, jr
Notes: First 1A Division I state tournament appearance since 2017, when it was consolation champs … Made 2A tournament in 2021. … Seeking first state title. … Season-high win streak of five (Dec. 7-Jan. 2). … Unranked in final state media poll. … 0-5 against 1ADI state qualifiers. 



1A DIVISION II STATE TOURNAMENT 


COUNCIL LUMBERJACKS
Record: 12-5
State seed: #3, District 3 champ
Coach: Paula Tucker, third season
Players to watch: G/W Hope Zollman, sr.; PG Rhianna Iveson, sr.; W/P Ava Eppich, jr.
Notes: Defending state champion punched its ticket to state with a third straight district championship. … Second-highest scoring offense in 1A Division II this season, averaging 52.8 points per game. … Split their games with first-round opponent Salmon River, losing 53-45 on Dec. 13 and winning 67-41 on Jan. 29. … Enters state on a seven-game winning streak. … Unranked in final state media poll. … Iveson (17.1 ppg, 5.6 rebounds, 3.2 steals, 2.8 assists) was a second-team All-Idaho selection last year. … Zollman (12.9 ppg, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 steals, 2.5 assists) and Eppich (14.2 ppg, 8.2 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 1.6 assists) also average double-digit scoring.


DEARY MUSTANGS
Record: 14-7
State seed: #4, District 2 runner-up
Coach: Kendra Keen, 17th season
Players to watch: G/F Kenadie Kirk, sr.; G Araya Wood, jr.
Notes: Lost to Rockland in the third-place game last year 38-31 ... Never won a state title. … Reached its only championship game in 1982. … A young team, with just two seniors, four sophomores, and two freshmen. … Kenadie Kirk and Madelyn Proctor trade in their basketball shoes for softball spikes in the spring, where they suit up for arch-rival Kendrick as part of a co-op agreement. … Kirk and Araya Wood each serve on the IHSAA's Statewide Student Advisory Council.


DIETRICH BLUE DEVILS
Record: 18-3
State seed: #1, District 4 champ
Coach: Rick Astle, fourth season
Players to watch: G Aliegha Robertson, jr; G Saige Hubert, sr; F Jessika Power, sr
Notes: Back-to-back District 4 champions are at state for the second straight year. … Defending state runner-up. … Seeking first title since 2014 and fifth overall. … Started season 11-0. … Ranked No. 2 in final media poll. … 1-1 against 1ADII state qualifiers. 


KENDRICK TIGERS
Record: 20-3
State seed: #1, District 1 champ
Coach: Ron Ireland, 11th season
Players to watch: F Morgan Silflow, sr.; G Ruby Stewart, sr.; G Hailey Taylor, sr.; G Harley Heimgartner, sr.
Notes: District champions and state qualifiers for the sixth consecutive year. … State consolation champs the past two seasons. … State runners-up in 2021. … Undefeated against 1A Division II competition. ... All three losses this season were against top-tier 1A Division I teams Lapwai and Kamiah, and 2A No. 1 seed Grangeville. … Won three state titles (1983, 1997, 2002).


LEADORE MUSTANGS
Record: 17-4
State seed: #7, District 6 runner-up
Coach: Janet Proulx, fourth season
Players to watch: Lexi Bird, so.; Katie Mackay, jr.
Notes: The Mustangs make their third straight state tournament appearance after going 1-2 the previous years. ... Bird averages 10.5 points per game and 12.7 rebounds, and Mackay averages 7.7 points. ... Leadore was No. 5 in the final state media poll. ...Won one state title (2001) in only state finals appearance. 


MACKAY MINERS
Record: 16-6
State seed: #5, District 5-6 champ
Coach: Josh Pehrson, third season
Players to watch: Kaydence Seefried, sr.; Alyssa Hawley, sr.; Alyssa Pehrson, so.
Notes: The Miners make their first state tournament appearance since 2021, when they won the consolation trophy. ... They've won eight straight games heading into the tournament, seven by double figures. ... Seefried tops the team at 10.5 points and averages 4.4 rebounds and 2.2 steals. Hawley averages 9.3 points and 6.9 rebounds. ... No. 4 in the final state poll. … Never won a state title and played in one championship game in 2014. 


ROCKLAND BULLDOGS
Record: 14-10
State seed: #8, Play-in game winner
Coach: Jordan Black, first season
Players to watch: G Calyn Permann, jr.; G Alexa Permann, jr.; C Sidney Freeman, jr.
Notes: Took third at state last season. … Has placed at state in three of the last four seasons, including state championships in 2020 and 2022. … At state for the sixth year in a row. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … Jordan Black took over just a month before the season after former longtime coach Vern Nelson announced his retirement after a cancer diagnosis. … No returning starters after Autumn Farr didn’t come after suffering an injury in volleyball. … 0-6 against 1A state qualifiers in both divisions. … Cousins Alexa and Calyn Permann are averaging 11.9 and 11.0 ppg, respectively. … Freeman averages 8.0 rebounds per game.


SALMON RIVER SAVAGES
Record: 18-6
State seed: #6, District 3 runner-up
Coach: Levi Tucker, third season
Players to watch: G Riley Walters, so.; G Rainey Walters, sr.; G Taylor Ewing, fr.; G Audrey Tucker, fr.
Notes: Back at state for the first time since 2020. … Last won a trophy in 2019 (second). … Won its only state championship in 1977. … Faces District 3 foe Council in the first round for the third time this season after the teams split their meetings during the regular season. … Unranked in the final state media poll.