PLAYERS TO WATCH
Skylar Forbush, South Fremont
Bryce Johnson, South Fremont
Ammon Lee, Sugar-Salem
Carter Taylor, Sugar-Salem
Ty Brown, Teton
Thomas Heuseveldt, Teton
Jack Nelson, Teton
Written by: Brandon Baney
Sugar-Salem and Teton have managed to cross paths an unusual number of times over the past several seasons. Yes, they are conference rivals, but no matter the sport, the Diggers and Timberwolves always seem to stumble into a state tournament matchup with major implications.
The boys and girls soccer teams have waged epic wars over the past few years, in a do-or-die, one-bid-to-state scenario. The girls basketball teams played for the 3A state championship in 2022, and the football teams played for the 3A state championship less than a month ago.
So don’t act too surprised when we tell you that the boys’ basketball race in the Mountain Rivers Conference will come down to….you guessed it! Sugar-Salem and Teton. In 2022-23, the Diggers went a remarkable 5-0 against Teton, including triumphs in the District 6 championship game and a narrow, 59-54 win in the Class 3A state semifinals.
Sugar-Salem parlayed that semifinal win into a championship game victory over Bonners Ferry, but only two players from last year’s team, senior guard Carter Taylor and senior forward Ammon Lee, return in 2023-24, and Lee is expected to be out until January with an injury suffered during football season. So if the Diggers are to reign supreme again this year, it will require some on-the-job training from younger players like junior Riley Williams and sophomore Ace Clark.
Teton, meanwhile, welcomes back three starters from a year ago, which is why the T-Wolves were given the slight nod in our preseason coaches poll. Fans familiar with the football team will recognize the leaders on the court; quarterback Jack Nelson will play point guard, running back Thomas Heuseveldt shifts to shooting guard, and wide receiver Ty Brown will play in the post.
Coach Rob Heuseveldt’s team will once again be aggressive on offense, with dribble penetration from their guards a top priority. Teton will then up the intensity on defense, with a full court press and the physicality to match it.
South Fremont welcomes back guard Skylar Forbush and post Bryce Johnson. Coach Alex Amini’s team will try to improve upon last year’s 2-20 finish.