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Middleton High School
School Info
Conference: 4A Southern Idaho Conference
Classification: 4A
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Head Coach: Andy Jones
Years as Head Coach: 14th Season
Previous Experience: Caldwell High School, Twin Falls High School, Wheatland High School, Elbert High School
Record Last Year: 16-7
State Titles: 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012
Assistant Coaches:
Alex Maxwell
Shane Royce
Katelin Shannon
Kandice Cotterell
Lindsey Leavitt
Returning Players:
Mackenzie Royce – Guard – 12th – 5’9”
Brooke Davis – Forward – 12th – 5’10”
Sage Huggins – Guard – 11th – 5’8”
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Photo By: Steve Conner - #4 Mackenzie Royce |
Team Preview
Written by: Chris Langrill
Sometimes high school basketball coaches have a pretty good inkling of what to expect in the season to come.
That's not the case for Middleton girls coach Andy Jones.
But for Jones, who is in his 14th season, that's not necessarily a bad thing.
“Having so many new players is exciting,” Jones said before the season started. “I think we have a chance to improve a ton over the course of the season and be a dangerous team in February.”
It turns out his team might come together faster than that. As of this writing, Middleton had jumped out to a 3-0 start.
The Vikings have a young roster littered with players who came into the new season with no experience at the varsity level. So seniors Mackenzie Royce, a 5-foot-9 guard, and Brooke Davis, a 5-10 forward, will be counted on for some leadership. Another returning player is 5-8 junior guard Sage Huggins.
Despite the fast start, Jones knows it will take some time for the younger players to figure out their roles.
“I think we have some nice post players, but they will have to prove themselves,” Jones said. “We have some guards that were good (junior varsity) players, but they will also have to prove themselves. We will just have to wait and see what we do best as the season progresses.”
That will be true on the defensive side of the court, as well.
“We will try different combinations and different defenses to see what we do best,” Jones said. “I do know that we will focus on being the best defensive team in the conference. With our offensive struggles last year, we'll need to shut other teams down to be successful.”
Middleton won four state titles between 2008 and 2012, so while the Vikings might be young they will be playing under a coach who knows how to get the most out of his players.
Jones is excited to watch his team grow, especially as conference play rolls around.
“All of our conference games with Kuna, Skyview and Bishop Kelly will be intense and crucial to postseason seeding,” he said.
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