PLAYERS TO WATCH

Lila Kiefer, Lakeland
Landree Simon, Lakeland
Maya Anderson, Moscow
Lola Johns, Moscow
Karlie Banks, Sandpoint
Demi Driggs, Sandpoint
Aliya Strock, Sandpoint

Written by: Brandon Baney

When basketball fans, coaches, and media members make their yearly state tournament predictions, it’s always most difficult to assess the team in north Idaho. Simply put, there aren’t many teams in Districts 1 and 2, so most schools end up playing several out-of-state opponents from Washington and Oregon. Out of sight, out of mind, as it were.

Invariably, a team from the north heads down to Boise to compete at state, and usually ends up impressing everyone else who hasn’t had a chance to properly gauge the skill level and competition up north.

Look no further than last year’s Sandpoint squad. The Bulldogs finished 20-5 a year ago, and knocked out Shelley to win the Class 4A state championship, their first in school history. Sandpoint featured a true team, with seven players all capable of stepping up and delivering in crucial moments.

Fifth-year head coach Will Love welcomes back five of those seven athletes, including three starters, in 2023-24. It’s the main reason that Sandpoint is not only favored to win the Inland Empire League, but to also return to state and put forth a valiant title defense.

Senior point guard Aliya Strock is back to stir things up defensively for the Bulldogs. She’s joined in the starting lineup by junior wing Demi Driggs and senior point forward Karlie Banks. Strock was named the IEL’s Player of the Year last season, while Banks earned MVP honors at the 4A State Tournament.

The amount of familiarity returning for Sandpoint will make coach Love’s offense even more difficult for opponents to defend this year. “We will be running our conceptual offense again this year, putting most of the decision-making in the hands of the players based on how defenses are guarding them,” Love says. “From what I saw in the summer and in open gyms, we should be a little more consistent with our outside shooting. Karlie and Aliya can really get hot from the outside, but we have several other players who are showing they can knock down open shots.”

Love is hoping that more consistent shooting from the perimeter will open up lanes for his guards to attack on dribble-drives. While the offense could start hot, Sandpoint’s defense has more question marks ahead of the season opener. “We lost a lot defensively to graduation, so we definitely need new players to step up. Brecken Mire is a really good on-ball defender and will be assigned against our opponent’s top players. Karlie is a solid defender, especially in the post, and Aliya’s quickness can wreak havoc.”

Senior guards Lily Richardson and Peyton Cessna came in off the bench a year ago, and will slide into starting slots this year. They’ll be tasked with replacing team captain and second-leading scorer Kelsey Cessna, and assists leader Daylee Driggs, who both graduated.

“We have to understand that last year was last year, and this year is a new year,” explains Love. “We do have several returning players from last year’s championship run, but Daylee and Kelsey played a lot of minutes and they were our leaders off the court. So we will need to find out who can fill those roles, not necessarily doing the exact same thing, but by demonstrating the same work ethic, pride, and leadership to their teammates. We can’t be complacent, because Lakeland and Moscow both have a lot of talent and are led by some really good coaches.”

Lakeland went 11-10 a year ago as the Hawks navigated their way through a brutally difficult schedule. Their ten losses came to six teams total: Class 5A IEL members Coeur d’Alene, Lake City, Lewiston and Post Falls, 4A champ Sandpoint, and 3A runner-up Timberlake. Their combined record was 109-38, so that gives you an idea of the gauntlet Lakeland had to navigate.

Head coach Tyrel Derrick welcomes back All-IEL performers Lila Kiefer and Landree Simon, two talented athletes that should help Lakeland push Sandpoint at the top of the league. “Lakeland would have been very competitive at state last year,” says Love. “And with what they return, they have a lot of athleticism and some players who have a lot of experience.”

Moscow, meanwhile, struggled to a 5-16 record a year ago, but head coach Alexa Hardick welcomes back a trio of returning senior starters in guards McKenna Knott and Maya Anderson, and forward Lola Johns. The Bears’ season opener against Post Falls was postponed due to power outages in the Moscow area, but optimism is high this season.

Complicating matters is the fact that the IEL will only receive one berth to the 4A State Tournament. As coach Love indicated, Lakeland would have been a worthy participant at state a year ago, and it would be interesting to see where they and Moscow would finish in another league. As it stands, all roads lead to Sandpoint. If the Hawks or Bears want to qualify for state, they’ll have to knock off the defending 4A champs.