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Idaho Falls High School
School Info
Conference: 4A District 5-6 Conference
Classification: 4A
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Head Coach: Dallan Parker
Years as Head Coach: 2nd Season
Previous Experience: Head Coach at Blackfoot – 1 season
Assistant Coach at Pocatello – 3 seasons
Record Last Year: 13-11
Assistant Coaches:
Chelsie Boyle
Norm Kane
Sara Billings
Returning Players:
Maya Taylor, Post, 12
Jaidyn Hansen, Guard, 12
Morgan Cottle, Post, 12
Returning Players with Honors:
Maya Taylor – Honorable Mention All-Conference
Key Players lost from last year:
Madison Wright, Post
Kaydre Thompson, Post
Hadley Hersh, Guard
Incoming impact players:
Kennedy Burton, Guard, 10
Madalyn Burton, Guard, 10
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Team Preview
Written by: Matt Harris (@IdahoSportsMatt)
Oh so close.
The Idaho Falls Tigers came oh so close to the state tournament in 2016. They fell in the winner-to-state game against Highland in the district tournament, but turned some heads along the way.
Now that Idaho Falls has dropped down to the 4A classification, the Tigers will look to seize another chance at the postseason. They’ll have to do it, however, without a number of key players from last year’s team.
“We graduated seven seniors and only return three girls with varsity experience,” said Dallan Parker, now in his second year as head coach of the Tigers. “We are going to be young and inexperienced, but we are going to focus on things we can control, such as getting better every day. It’s going to be fun to watch this team learn, grow, and compete.”
Idaho Falls returns senior post Maya Taylor, senior post Morgan Cottle, and senior guard Jaidyn Hansen. They will be leaned on for leadership and experience. Parker expects a pair of Burton’s to make an impact as well as sophomores Kennedy and Madalyn Burton make their varsity debut.
“We have some good shooters on the team that will help complement our inside game,” he said. “Jaidyn and Kennedy both have very smooth shots.” Parker noted that he wants his team to be focused on running the floor and getting the ball inside to their posts.
Defensively, Parker says that Maya Taylor will key in helping to quarterback the defense from underneath the basket.
“Having Maya back is big for us. She is tall and athletic and able to effectively defend the paint,” he said of his post player. Taylor has signed with St. Louis University’s volleyball program. “Having her helps us to play solid, fundamental defense overall.” Parker added that his team hopes to be able to apply more pressure this year.
In the traditionally competitive 4A District 5-6 Conference, any advantage gained can mean the difference between a win and a loss.
“Our conference is going to be competitive and there are going to be many close games throughout the season,” said Parker, who noted that their rivalry with Skyline brings out the best in both of the teams.
Parker is preaching to only worry about the things that they can control. To him, it comes down to one word: effort.
“I think we can be successful if we work hard and put forth the effort,” he said.
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