PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sam Lindsley, Grangeville
Jaden Legarretta, Grangeville
Brodie Robinson, Kellogg
Reed Whatcott, Kellogg
Loudan Cochran, Orofino
Aiden Olive, Orofino
Carter Cook, Priest River
Brock Kreager, Priest River
Wyatt Holmes, St. Maries
Seth Swallows, St. Maries
Written by: Brandon Baney
Coaches around the state keep waiting for a down year in St. Maries. Nearly a decade into this futile exercise, though, everyone is still holding their breath. What tenth year coach Bryan Chase has accomplished is nothing short of incredible.
In all nine of his seasons, Chase has led the Lumberjacks to the semifinals every single year. He’s compiled a record of 179-56, and has steered St. Maries to the 2A championship game in three of the past five years, including the school’s second state championship in school history back in 2021.
If St. Maries somehow makes it ten straight semifinal appearances, it will be Chase’s most impressive feat to date. “We lost six seniors and 85% of our offensive output to graduation,” says Chase. “We lost both of 6-foot-6 posts (Tristun Hill and Tyler Renner), as well as our point guard Greyson Sands, who is now playing at Eastern Oregon University. Additionally, we lost three other great guards in Trace Wicks, Dillon Holder and Jared Badgett.”
Apparently 6-foot-6 basketball players grow on the trees that blanked the St. Maries community, as 6-foot-6 wing Wyatt Holmes will be counted on for major production this year. That’s where the Lumberjacks’ height ends, though. St. Maries’ other post players are Hayend Defoort (6-foot-1) and Jaemon Harold (6-foot even).
Fortunately, there are several talented guards who could emerge. Seth Swallows has the most returning experience, while Xavier Sloper, JJ Yearout, Jack Barta and Isaiah Gustaffe will all fight for playing time. “We have zero starters returning,” says Chase. “Our newcomers have some talent but will have to mature quickly with our difficult schedule as we compete for our tenth district title in a row.”
Kellogg appears most ready to challenge St. Maries’ reign at the top of the Central Idaho League. Although the Wildcats lost twin brothers Kolby and Riply Luna, among others, head coach Mike Martin welcomes back several talented athletes. Senior Reed Whatcott, junior Bodie Robinson and sophomore Draeden Taylor can all get hot from the floor, which makes defending Kellogg difficult.
Grangeville has a true boom-or-bust roster featuring six seniors, three freshmen, and zero juniors or sophomores. Seniors Jaden Legarretta and Cody Klement will handle guard duties, 6-foot-4 senior Sam Lindsley will play on the wing, and seniors Kaycen Sickels (6-foot) and Taven Ebert (5-foot-11) will handle the post duties. The Bulldogs will also be led by a new head coach, as former Prairie boys coach Shawn Wolter takes over for Cooper Wright.
Orofino went 10-10 a season ago, and said goodbye to combo guards Joel Scott and Nick Drobish to graduation. “Their leadership and hustle will be missed,” says Orofino coach Rocky Barlow. “Both were great defensive stoppers and rebounders.”
The Orofino community was further rocked when senior Drew Hanna passed away after sustaining injuries in a car accident in August, just prior to the start of the school year. The three-sport athlete was a tough post player for the Maniacs, but on an emotional level, it’s still difficult for everyone in Orofino to process.
Junior Aiden Olive will step into the starting center role, and he’ll be flanked by senior guards Loudan Cochran and Landon Hudson. “Team speed and ball-handling should be our strengths,” says Barlow. “Hopefully we can shoot the ball better and rebound.”
“I wish we could grow,” Barlow adds. “We are not tall. We will have to rebound as a team to compete.”
The biggest unknown resides at Priest River, where coach Jaden Barrett enters his third year in charge of the Spartans’ program. This year’s team features just two seniors, wing Carsen Hughes and post Jade Best, and their best player, junior guard Tyler Engleson, transferred to Class 3A Timberlake.
Priest River does appear to have great size inside, with 6-foot-3 junior Carter Cook and 6-foot-4 sophomore Brady Hatten playing underneath. If other perimeter players like Brock Kreager, Lucas Mathews and Carter Korff can complement the post play, Priest River could raise an eyebrow or two in the CIL this season.