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Conference Preview

2A Central Idaho League

Written by: Sven Alskog

PRESEASON OUTLOOK
1. Grangeville
2. St. Maries
3. Orofino

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Paige Lindsley, Grangeville
JaKaili Norman, Grangeville
Bailey Vanderwall, Grangeville
Kaci Haeg, St. Maries
Madison Cordell, St. Maries
Alena Davenport, St. Maries
Hayley Bretz, Orofino
Nicole Sparano, Orofino

Grangeville and St. Maries appear to be on a crash-course to square off for a district title this season, with both sides returning plenty of talent from their tough teams of a year ago.

The Lady Bulldogs feature the inside-out combination of junior post JaKaili Norman and senior guard Paige Lindsley.

While second year head coach Michelle Barger has to replace a couple of pieces from the team from last year, having players like Norman, Lindsley, Bailey Vanderwall, Colby Canaday and Hayden Hill in place should keep Grangeville right in the mix.

The primary challenger for a conference crown within the 2A Central Idaho League this year appears to be the St. Maries Lumberjacks, who welcome back senior post Alena Davenport from a torn ACL suffered early last season. Davenport is joined by the 2017/2018 League MVP Kaci Haeg on the interior, with Madison Cordell a dangerous outside option.

It will be a new-look on the sideline this season, as former assistant John Cordell slides down the bench to the head coach position.

St. Maries won four of the five matchups against Grangeville last season, including the district championship game by a final of 66-47. The Lady Jacks hope they can continue that success moving forward.

Orofino brings on a new coach as well, with Tessa Mullinix coming up from Ridgevue High School after spending the last couple of seasons building up the start-up program for the Warhawks.

All eight of the Maniacs’ wins last season came against 1A competition, so Mullinix will be looking to help get the team over the hump against the tough competition within the 2A CIL this year.

Hayley Bretz and Nicole Sparano should both be back and ready to make big impacts on the floor for Orofino.