PLAYERS TO WATCH
Gage Driscoll, Aberdeen
Bryson Crane, Bear Lake
Rhett Lloyd, Bear Lake
Ryan Hubbard, Malad
Braylen Tripp, Malad
Caleb Thompson, Soda Springs
Cooper Thompson, Soda Springs
Eli Brown, West Side
Ivan Campbell, West Side
Written by: Dallin Fryar
The 2022-23 season was a dream for the Bear Lake Bears as they raised the 2A State Championship banner for the 4th time in school history. Not only did they have the best team in the state of Idaho in the 2A ranks, but they also had the best player in the state in Bryson Crane. Not to mention, he was only a junior.
Bears fans have much to be excited about with Crane returning for his senior campaign. However, they lost four 1st Team All-Conference three-year starters, including Idaho Athlete of the Year Tayson Neal. Compounding matters is the fact that veteran coach Brandon Carlsen also retired.
A slew of newcomers will look to round out the defending championship roster, and first year head coach Trevor Ward is excited about what this team can bring to the table. He said, “I am most excited about our size and strength in the post, and guards who are floor generals who read the floor well.”
Another team that has been a mainstay in the State Tournament for the last several years is the West Side Pirates. After a rough start a year ago, the Pirates finished the season strong, clinched a state tournament berth, and found themselves facing off against Bear Lake for the fifth time that season at state.
This season, the Pirates have a senior heavy roster, led by guard Eli Brown. They will look to push the tempo on the offensive side of the ball, and use that same quickness on the defensive end.
Coach Tyler Brown, now in his 18th season with West Side, said, “The X-Factor to our team this season will be team chemistry and how well we defend and rebound.”
While Bear Lake and West Side have seen frequent trips to the state tournament the last few seasons, the 2A 5th District Conference is loaded with talented groups looking to taste the state tournament. One of those teams is the Malad Dragons.
Despite a 3-18 record last season, head coach Zach Beutler has confidence that this year the Dragons will be able to compete on a nightly basis. “The guys have been working hard through the offseason. We look forward to continuing to build and compete.”
The Dragons are another senior heavy team with five seniors leading the charge, four of them with previous varsity experience.
The Aberdeen Tigers, on the other hand, will be looking to replace seven players that graduated last season. The Tigers had a very successful regular season last year, but two losses to West Side in the District Tournament kept them out of the playoffs.
The Tigers win total has increased from 5 in 2020-21, to 11 in 2021-22, to 13 in 2022-23. They will look to continue to increase their win total this season.
Despite only posting a 4-20 record last season, the Soda Springs Cardinals are a team that might turn some heads in the conference, and throughout the state of Idaho. They are made up of athletic, quick, good shooters including Cooper and Caleb Thompson.
After only graduating three players from last year’s squad, the Cardinals bring back a lot of experience. However, each night in the 5th District Conference is going to be a tough one.
Ultimately, West Side head coach Tyler Brown said it best: “I think all the teams are pretty good from top to bottom.”