PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Brenner Kunz, Canyon Ridge
Christian Waitley, Canyon Ridge
Marshall Glenn, Highland
Tracen Tripple, Highland
Hayden Kunz, Madison
Micah Thompson, Madison
Seth Bradley, Rigby
Weston Walker, Rigby
Cam Bateman, Thunder Ridge
Deegan Branson, Thunder Ridge
Written by: Marlowe Hereford
The former 5A District 5-6 teams joined Idaho’s 6A classification last season and expanded to include District 4’s Canyon Ridge.
While the classification changed, it was business as usual for Madison, which won a fifth consecutive district title to take the league’s top seed into the state tournament. The Bobcats were joined at state by Thunder Ridge, which reached its first state tournament in program history. Madison has gone undefeated versus league opponents since the 2021-22 season.
A total of 26 athletes graduated from last season’s five 6A District 4-5-6 teams, including 12 who received All-Conference recognition. As the season is just beginning, some questions to consider include, will Madison carry its win streak in league play into a fifth season? And will 6A District 4-5-6 yet again be represented in a trophy game on state championship Saturday in March?
MADISON
The Bobcats went 23-3 overall and 8-0 in 6A District 4-5-6 last season, its second consecutive season with 20-plus wins and its fourth consecutive undefeated season versus conference opponents. Madison graduated five from that team, including starting point guard, Boise State signee, All-Conference Player of the Year and First Team All-Idaho selection Nash Humpherys and First Team All-Conference selection Carter Lerwill. Additionally, the Bobcats have a new coach in Logan Hamilton, who comes to Rexburg after two years as a varsity assistant coach at Rigby.
Senior forward Micah Thompson is the lone returning varsity starter from last year.
“Being at Rigby last season and knowing this team, I knew that Micah was an all-around athlete who was a hardnosed defender,” Hamilton said. “He has put in a lot of work this offseason improving every part of his game, and I’m confident that will show this season.”
Also returning for the Bobcats is junior Hayden Kunz, a junior who received All-Conference Honorable Mention.
“Gifted offensively, Hayden will be a key piece to our scoring attack,” Hamilton said. “The time he spent in the weight room this summer will also make him a tough defender down low.”
Senior guard Logan Nelson and senior point guard Kyle Orr also return to varsity, and Rhett Hammond joins varsity this season as a junior guard.
Hamilton described the Bobcats as an unselfish basketball team.
“We will look to push the ball in transition, but also find a patient approach to being a ‘pass-first’ team that values assists over points,” Hamilton said. “We will look to pressure opposing teams and be as physical as we can be. Our ‘X factor’ this season will be our team defense.”
Hamilton added that he is excited to see how his athletes step into new roles this season.
“I’m really excited to see a few of these kids really break out and emerge as some of the best players in the district and even the state this season,” Hamilton said. “Everyone on this team will have an increased role this season, and I know they will each step up in big ways. They trust each other, and they are brothers.”
THUNDER RIDGE
The Titans went 13-13 overall and 5-3 in 6A District 4-5-6 play last season, reaching the state tournament for the first time in Thunder Ridge’s seven years of existence.
Thunder Ridge graduated five from that team, including Second Team All-Conference forward Tanner Scoresby and Honorable Mention point guard Max Haycock. Scoresby died in September at age 18 after a seven-month battle with T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma.
Senior forward Cam Bateman (First Team All-Conference), junior forward McKay Scoresby (Honorable Mention All-Conference) and senior guard and leading scorer Deegan Branson (First Team All-Conference) return for the Titans on varsity, and sophomores Kenyan Wright (guard) and James Nelson (center) join varsity this season.
TJ Crane, in his second year as head coach, said team chemistry will be Thunder Ridge’s X factor this season, and he commended the Titans for their offseason work and the strong leadership from the seniors.
First-year Canyon Ridge head coach Dann Winn said the Titans are a team to watch this year due to their number of returning players with varsity and state tournament experience.
RIGBY
The Trojans went 14-11 overall and 4-4 in 6A District 4-5-6 play last season, falling to Thunder Ridge in a winner-to-state district tournament game.
Rigby graduated seven from that team, including First Team All-Conference selection Jace Walker, Second Team All-Conference selection Braxton Miller and Honorable Mention selections Conner Davenport and Isaac Sautter.
HIGHLAND
The Rams went 8-16 overall and 3-5 in 6A District 4-5-6 play last season. Highland graduated three from that team—Mukudzei Traore (Honorable Mention All-Conference), Jett Richards and Markell Bowens.
Current senior Marshall Glenn made First Team All-Conference last season while fellow senior Tracen Tripple made Second Team All-Conference.
Thunder Ridge head coach TJ Crane said the Rams will be a team to watch this year and commended head coach Matt Stucki for the job he has done with the program.
CANYON RIDGE
Canyon Ridge went 6-17 overall and 0-8 in 6A District 4-5-6 last season. The Riverhawks graduated six, including Second Team All-Conference selection Mason Hill, Honorable Mention All-Conference selection Kade McEntire and David Rothweiler.
Canyon Ridge also has a new head coach in Dan Winn, who joins the Riverhawks after 15 years as head coach at Buhl.
Returning for the Riverhawks on varsity are senior guard Brenner
Kunz, senior forward Christian Waitley, senior guard Conner Cartwright, senior guard Cash Giardina, senior forward Thel Ostyn and senior guard Ievin Ceballos.
Joining Canyon Ridge on varsity this season are junior forward Brady Harrison, junior forward Jack Rothweiler, junior guard Eli Reyes and junior forward Grant Hales. The Riverhawks have seven seniors on varsity this season.
Winn said the Riverhawks must be consistent on defense and not settle for jump shots on offense.
“We have dynamic guard depth, and will use them for an up-tempo race and space offense,” Winn said. He added that Canyon Ridge’s X Factor this season will be their ‘three-dimensional triangle of power.’
“Skillset, mindset, brotherhood,” Winn said.