ORDER GAME PHOTOS

In northern Idaho, there's no shortage of outstanding girls basketball teams.

One team that has been quietly lurking all year, though, is also one of north Idaho's few remaining undefeated teams.

Deary improved to 9-0 overall last night with a 45-30 win over Troy in a non-conference battle.  And it shouldn't surprise anyone.

A year ago, the Mustangs went 17-6.  Among the highlights: a first round win at state over district rival Kendrick, and a win over Richfield in the third place game.

Nine players (including three 8th graders) featured on that Deary squad a year ago.  And all nine are back in 2022-23.

That's lead to unheralded stability for head coach Kendra Keen.  A group of four seniors (Macie Ashmead, Emily Scott, Triniti Wood and Dantae Workman) provide leadership at the top.  Juniors Kenadie Kirk and Araya Wood provide explosive scoring in the post and on the wing, respectively.  And freshmen Karmen Griffin, Madelyn Proctor and Kaylee Wood continue to get better after playing varsity ball in their final year of middle school a year ago.

All nine players saw action in last night's win over Troy, with Triniti Wood leading the way at 11 points. The 5-foot-10 Kirk logged a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.  Araya Wood also scored 10 points and came away with eight steals.  

Deary's undefeated start has them ranked third overall in the Class 1AD2 classification.  Schools like Mackay and Rockland are ahead of the Mustangs only because they've played more games.  That's not Deary's fault.  December contests against Orofino and Sitka, Alaska were wiped out due to bad weather/airline fiascos.

All the Mustangs really care about is their conference: the Whitepine League.  Deary is 3-0 in Whitepine play so far, with wins over Nezperce, Highland and St. John Bosco.

The real test happens Thursday, when Kendrick (also 3-0 in league play) welcomes Deary to town.  The winner of that showdown will be in the driver's seat for the regular season league title.

Flip a coin to determine the outcome of that one.  A win by Kendrick could propel the Tigers into our Girls Basketball Daily Top 25 rankings.  A loss could cause Deary to fall out.

Here's the rest of the Top 25 Daily Girls Basketball Rankings:

CLASS 5A

1. Boise (13-1)
2. Thunder Ridge (14-0)
3. Rigby (14-2)
4. Timberline (14-2)
5. Lake City (13-2)
6. Post Falls (16-0)
7. Owyhee (13-1)

CLASS 4A

1. Shelley (13-1)
2. Bishop Kelly (12-3)

CLASS 3A

1. Parma (13-2)
2. Weiser (14-1)
3. Snake River (12-3)

CLASS 2A

1. Melba (16-0)
2. Cole Valley Christian (13-3)
3. North Fremont (11-2)
4. Soda Springs (11-3)
5. West Side (10-4)
6. St. Maries (6-5)
7. Ambrose (10-6)

CLASS 1AD1

1. Lapwai (13-1)
2. Raft River (10-2)

CLASS 1AD2

1. Mackay (14-1)
2. Rockland (13-3)
3. Deary (9-0)
4. Leadore (10-2)

IN: St. Maries
OUT: Kimberly

Agree? Disagree? Join the conversation on The Boards, SportsBoards.com!