PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colby Bodkin, Blackfoot
Dax Whitney, Blackfoot
Jory Andersen, Bonneville
Isaac Davis, Hillcrest
Ike Sutton, Hillcrest
Talan Taylor, Hillcrest
Bradley Elison, Idaho Falls
David Moore, Idaho Falls
Austin Cannon, Shelley
CarMyne Garcia, Skyline
Brayden Merzlock, Skyline
Written by: Marlowe Hereford
For the last two seasons, the 4A boys basketball state champion has come from 4A District 6.
Hillcrest, which has gone a combined 50-3 the last two seasons, defeated Pocatello for the second consecutive year to repeat as 4A state champions in March at the Ford Idaho Center. The Knights went 25-1 last season, including going undefeated versus 4A competition, and graduated one player, guard Kobe Kesler, whom head coach Dave Austin said was 'the glue that kept us together.' However, the Knights return experienced players in seniors Ike Sutton, Talan Taylor, Gavin Hepworth, Matthew Trenkle and BYU commit Isaac Davis as well as junior Titan Larsen. Hillcrest will be in position to become the first Idaho 4A team to win three consecutive state titles since Preston did so from 2016 to 2018.
"Isaac Davis brings the inside presence with an array of moves and great court vision," Austin said. "We will lean on our experience with Talan, Ike, Gavin, Matthew and Titan. We play a 4 out or 5 out fast-paced style of play. We are excited to have another talented group of players back with the desire to compete every night."
Davis, who is 6-foot-7, will also be a strength defensively with his rebounding.
"He controls the paint, which allows us to put heavy ball pressure on our opponents, knowing that Isaac will protect the rim," Austin said.
Blackfoot enters its fourth season under Clint Arave. The Broncos went 17-9 last season and defeated Skyview for the 4A state third place trophy, securing a winning record for the first time since the 2016-17 season and claiming a state trophy for the first time since 2009.
Blackfoot graduated seven players, including 4A District 6 All Conference Player of the Year Javonte King, but returns seniors Colby Bodkin, Dax Whitney and Carter Andersen and brings in junior Dawson Jackman and Austin Arave.
"I feel this team has huge shoes to fill," Coach Arave said. "We have a much higher ability to score as a team and rely less on one individual for scoring. We will not be as big, so rebounding and defending will be crucial to our success."
Coach Arave described the Broncos as a 'high IQ group that plays fast.'
"We will be able to shoot the ball well," he said. "We are tenacious defenders with lots of energy."
He added that Jackman is 'one of the best on-ball defenders' in Idaho.
Austin and Arave both said Shelley is a team to watch in 4A District 6. The Russets graduated Nate Nelson, Hunter Higham and Brock Jensen from last season's 10-15 team but return Austin Cannon and have a new coach in Keegan Keller.
"They have a strong senior group that is long and athletic," Arave said.
Idaho Falls, which went 5-19 last year, graduated four players including all-conference honorable mention player Dillon Ball. Bonneville graduated six from last season's 4-19 team, including second team all-conference player McKay Judy.
Skyline graduated five from last season's 8-17 team, including first team all-conference player George Price and all-conference honorable mention player Ian Galbreaith.