PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kenton Ferguson, Lakeland
Ben Ryan, Lakeland
Parker Childs, Sandpoint
Emerik Jones, Sandpoint
Grant Abendroth, Moscow
Ian Hillman, Moscow

Written by: Brandon Baney

Navigating Class 4A’s three-team Inland Empire League is always akin to balancing on a high wire. With only three teams in the league, several dates have to be filled with non-conference opponents. That includes the 5A schools in the IEL, as well as several outstanding programs from neighboring Washington.

It leads to some less-than-impressive win-loss records, which dings whichever team qualifies for state thanks to the new MaxPreps rating rules. But examining Lakeland, Moscow and Sandpoint strictly on wins and losses is a fools’ errand; oftentimes, the teams are much more competitive than their records indicate.

Take, for example, last year’s district champs from Lakeland. The Hawks went 6-18 a year ago, yet were only a handful of plays away from competing for a trophy on Saturday at the 4A State Tournament, as Lakeland fell to Twin Falls in a loser-out game, 48-46.

Repeating that feat will be trickier in 2023-24, as the Hawks said goodbye to IEL Player of the Year Scotty Hocking, as well as All-IEL performer Nick Nowell. Senior point guard Kenton Ferguson, senior post Ben Ryan, and junior shooting guard Mason Hensley are expected to lead the way in their absence.

“The majority of our scoring went through one player (Hocking) last year,” says coach Tony Hanna. “This year we have a lot of weapons and should be able to come at teams from multiple angles. I expect the majority of our scoring to come from Kenton Feguson, Ben Ryan and Mason Hensley.”

Overall, Lakeland plans to throw several athletes at the opposition. “We plan to play an up-tempo style of basketball,” says Hanna. “Defensively, we are all about ‘team.’ We are going to mix up defense and try to keep teams guessing a bit.”

“I really believe that we are going to have a good year,” Hanna adds. “If our individuals can keep the team ahead of themselves, it could be a really good year for us.”

Sandpoint is in a similar boat this year, as two-time All-IEL point guard Rusty Lee, three-year starter Arie VanDenBerg, and shooting guard Parker Pettit all graduated. However, third-year coach Brian Childs does welcome back his son, senior All-IEL guard Parker Childs. Otherwise, it’s a mix of freshmen, sophomores, and first-time varsity juniors.

“I’m excited to watch our young players grow,” says Childs. “We have two freshmen and two sophomores in our top seven, with only one returning starter and one senior on the roster. Our success will be determined by how quickly our young players adapt to the varsity level.”

Freshman point guard Knox Williams will see playing time alongside sophomore wings Caiden Gion and Logan Roos. Junior Wil Leisy will play on the wing, while junior Emerik Jones can play on the wing or down low in the paint. Freshman Derrick Chamberlain will be counted on in the post, as well.

“We want to get in transition as much as we can with such a young team,” says Childs. “We want to use our athleticism, as well. Although we are young, we do have some size this year and we want to play through the post more this year in the half-court offense.”

Moscow went 8-13 a season ago, and said goodbye to four seniors, including 6-foot-5 posts Caleb Skinner and Zac Skinner. Junior guard Grant Abendroth is expected to lead the way for the Bears, while 6-foot-5 senior guard Ian Hillman is back after missing most of last year with an injury, as well.