Grangeville High School Team Bio
Head Coach: Michelle Barger
Years as Head Coach: 4
Previous Experience: Middle school girls and boys basketball (20 years)
Lewis and Clark State College grad assistant (1998-1999)
Varsity assistant for Lapwai High School (1998)
Shelby High School (1999-2000)
Record Last Year: 16-7
State Titles: 6
Assistant Coaches:
Megan Turner
Brittany Ebert
Returning Players:
Camden Barger, PG, So.
Bailey Vanderwall, G, So.
Zoe Lutz, P, Jr.
Colby Candady, P, Sr.
Hayden Hill, G, Sr.
Macy Smith, G, So.
Makayla Roberts, G, Sr.
Megan Bashaw, G, Sr.
Returning Players with Honors:
Camden Barger, CIL All-League, All-State Idaho Sports Honorable Mention, Bulldog of the Week, 2019 Rookie of the Year, most 3-pointers in a season (40), most assists in a season (87), most in a season points (270), 47.2% shooting percentage
Zoe Lutz, All-State Idaho Sports Sixth-Man Award, best shooting percentage for the year (48.3%), Bulldogs Most Improved Award
Bailey Vanderwall, 2019 Rookie of Year Award, most steals last year (62)
Key Players lost from last year:
Paige Lindsley: “She was the 2019 MVP for the CIL league, All-State Idaho Sports Second Team, Bulldog of the Week and she was also recognized as an athlete of the year candidate. Paige started all for years on varsity and will be missed with her points, rebounds, hustle, intensity and overall love for the game.”
Incoming impact players:
Makayla Roberts, G, Sr.
Talia Brown, F, So.
Photo By: Joel Brown - #32 Bailey Vanderwall
Conference Preview COACHES POLL
1. Grangeville
2. St. Maries
3. Orofino
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Camden Barger, Grangeville
Zoe Lutz, Grangeville
Jenna Holder, St. Maries
Shayla Shuman, Orofino
2A Central Idaho Conference Preview
Written by Brandon Hill
Northern teams, far and away from the bright lights and microscopic analysis of the Treasure Valley, always prove difficult to judge before the season gets into full swing.
But with five straight wins to open 2019, the Grangeville Bulldogs look far and away to be the most talented in the 2A Central Idaho Conference.
The Bulldogs earned a trip to state following a 16-7 campaign under the direction of head coach Michelle Barger. Flanked by assistant coaches Megan Turner and Brittany Ebert, the Grangeville coaching staff will lean heavily on the talents of Camden Barger, a CIL all-league player last season.
Camden, who also earned a state honorable mention, broke out onto the scene a year ago, setting a program record for most 3s in a season with 40, most assists at 87 and most points with 270. Those kinds of numbers don’t come without superior ball-handling skills and deadly accuracy, as Camden nailed 47.2% of her baskets during the 2018-2019 season.
But the talent doesn’t stop at just Barger. Michelle said sophomore point guard Bailey Vanderwall and sophomore guard Zoe Lutz provide valuable experience and bring balance to a team ready to take the next step.
“What I like about our team this year is that we really like to play defense,” Michelle said. “We also like to push the ball offensively.”
The Bulldogs also welcome senior Makalya Roberts up from the JV squad, who Michelle identified as a lethal threat from 3.
“I am most excited for our team chemistry. We have girls that want to win and compete hard,” Michelle said. “We made it to state last year and the girls want to win state this year. We have key players that started last year and will be a threat again this year.”
Chasing the prolific Grangeville offense, Orofino and St. Maries are attempting to knock off the dominant Bulldogs and punch their own ticket to state.
The Lumberjacks finished 2018-2019 at 12-10, highlighted by a six-game run early in the season. But St. Maries stumbled to end the season, losing five of its last six matchups, with the lone win coming against Orofino 47-14.
The Maniacs had a similar finish to last season, also losing their last five of six, highlighted by a 50-47 nailbiter against Kamiah.