Players to Watch:
Kayden Hunsaker, Buhl
Kyler Kelly, Buhl
Kasen Christensen, Filer
Jarrett Evans, Filer
Braden Martin, Gooding
Bryce Patterson, Gooding
Jakob Cummins, Kimberly
Kasen Hammond, Kimberly
Kade Larson, Kimberly
In a conference where 0 of the All-Conference selections are returning, the Sawtooth Central Conference is wide open for players and teams to leave their mark.
The defending conference and 3A State Champions from Kimberly lost three key players from their ’21-22 roster. Head Coach Daren Garey has 20+ years of coaching experience and is up to the task of rebuilding the Bulldogs’ team. Garey will look to senior Grayden Devries and Junior Jacob Cummins to lead this ’22-23 team. “We should be able to put 5 players on the floor that are all capable of scoring from the outside as well as attacking off the dribble,” says Garey. Having balanced threats will enable the Bulldogs to play an up-tempo style of offense.
Defensively the Bulldogs will turn up the perimeter pressure and “scramble around to discourage post play,” says Garey. Kimberly might look different than last season, but Coach Garey is “excited to see how this group responds to the challenge.”
Hoping to make a statement in the conference is Coach Dan Winn and the Buhl Indians. Bringing back four players who are all over 6’1 (Kaden Hunsaker 6’3, Kyler Kelly 6’2, Conner Sullivan 6’4 and Jackson Allen 6’5) will allow the Indians to have balanced scoring. “We will feature those who have skills to score in various ways: post play, dribble drive, cutters and offensive rebounds,” says Winn. Adding depth to the Indians roster and making and immediate impact will be junior transfer Dominic Pierce. He will be joined by freshman Tate Trevino and sophomore Camron Gorrell.
The Indians have a tough schedule as half of their opponents played at the state tournament last season at the 3A and 4A levels. Coach Winn wants to improve on the 10-9 record from last season and to do that his team will “mix our man and zone alignments, with focus on defending three things: the rim, the 3-point line and the other team’s top weapons.”
Rebuilding is part of athletics and Filer will be no stranger to it this basketball season. The Wildcats who were 9-16 last season, also graduated nine seniors. Head Coach Rob Anderson is “expecting great things from our newcomers as they step into roles.” Helping Coach Anderson and the Wildcats to improve will be key returning juniors Kasen Christensen and Jarrett Evans. Coach Anderson says he is “excited to see what his players can accomplish together.”
A new face to the conference, as well as Gooding, is Head Coach Ryon Pope. Pope brings 26 years of coaching experience to the Senators, who were 3-19 last season. Coach Pope hopes to get his team to limit turnovers and put more points on the board. “If we work hard and are unselfish, our offense will hopefully improve throughout the year,” says Pope. The Senators bring back juniors Braden Martin and Bryce Patterson.