5A Classification

Centennial vs. No. 1 Borah
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
Borah High School

The Patriots have their work cut out for them, matching up against the top-ranked team in 5A play. But before a 52-38 loss to Boise Saturday, Centennial was on a hot three-game winning streak to open up the season, notching 40-plus games in each of those victories.

But the Lions are not to be doubted. Borah possesses one of the best all-around athletes in the state in recent Boise State commit Austin Bolt and has yet to lose a game in the late weeks of 2019. The Lions stand at 6-0. The Lions’ offense stumbled against Eagle Thursday, however, recording just 38 points against the Mustangs. 

No. 4 Post Falls vs. No. 3 Rigby
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
Rigby High School

Rigby enters Friday with home-court advantage heavily on their side, as Post Falls will have to travel 480 miles for a cross-state matchup against Highland Thursday. Against Thunder Ridge, Rigby dropped an eye-popping 73 points, with Christian Fredrickson leading the way with 15.

Meanwhile, Post Falls experienced its first loss of the season against Central Valley but got right back on track against Clarkston in a tight 52-50 win.

4A Classification

No. 3 Burley vs. Minico
7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
Minico High School

With just one loss between the two, Minico and Burley are on a conference collision course, with the Bobcats’ slim lead in the Great Basin on the line. Jace Whiting has been lighting up the court for Burley, scoring 22 in the Bobcats’ last matchup against Century. 

The Spartans, meanwhile, dropped a crucial conference game to Pocatello before redeeming themselves against Highland Wednesday. Minico has yet to score below 50 this season, while the Burley defense has allowed more than 50 just once this season in a Week 1 game against Canyon Ridge.

3A Classification

No. 5 Kellogg vs. Moscow
7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21
Moscow High School

Much like its northern conference mates, Kellogg has yet to play significant time in the state of Idaho, with two of the Wildcats’ losses coming against Newport and Deer Park of Washington. But last week against Sandpoint, Kellogg squeaked out a 59-51 win,  propelling them to the top of the Intermountain League. 

The Bears, meanwhile, have stumbled to open the season, with back-to-back losses against Potlatch and 5A Lewiston. But with a cross-classification matchup on the docket, the Bears and Benny Kitchel will look to steal a “W” against a ranked 3A squad.

2A Classification

No. 2 St. Maries vs. Bonners Ferry
7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
St. Maries High School

The Badgers have the classification edge over St. Maries, competing up at the 3A level over their northern counterpart. But at just 2-3 on the season, Bonners Ferry will have its work cut out for itself when it takes on the second-ranked team in 2A. 

The Lumberjacks, outside a loss to Lakeland, have been defensively stout to open the season, while intermittent offensive explosions have kept St. Maries atop the Central Idaho League. Coleman Ross has given that offense the spark it needs, highlighted with a 15-point performance against Potlatch Thursday.

1ADII Classification

No. 4 Rockland vs. North Gem
6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20
North Gem High School

The Rocky Mountain Conference’s outlook could look drastically different after Friday’s game between Rockland and North Gem, with both squads possessing records capable of keeping them afloat at the top of the standings. 

The Bulldogs haven’t reached the 60-point mark yet this year but defensively have kept opponents far from any kind of efficient production. 

North Gem stands undefeated on the season, but without significant wins on the schedule, including two blowouts against Sho-Ban, the Cowboy offense will face their biggest test of this young season Friday.