6A STATE TOURNAMENT

BOISE BRAVE

Record: 11-14

State seed: #6; District 3 runner-up

Coach: Manny Varela, 10th season

Players to watch: G Isaac Thacker, so.; G Luke Soltau, jr.; G Will Gebert, jr.; W Michael Nance, sr.

Notes: First trip to state since 2021. … Starts one senior, the 6-8 Nance, who has signed with Dickinson State (NAIA) and led the SIC in blocks (1.6 per game) for the second straight year. … Lost its final four regular-season games before mounting an underdog run as the No. 9 seed at the district tournament, reaching the championship game. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … Ranks 17th out of 20 teams in 6A by scoring 51.2 points per game and 11th in points allowed (54 ppg). … 4-7 vs. 6A state qualifiers. … Thacker leads the team in scoring (13.6 ppg), followed by Soltau (11.8 ppg, 3.8 assists), Gebert (9.8 ppg, 5.7 rebounds) and Nance (7.5 ppg, 6.7 rebounds). … Last won a state tournament trophy in 1997, when it finished third. … Won five state titles, the last in 1986. … Last reached the finals in 1991.

BORAH LIONS

Record: 11-13

State seed: #8; District 3 third/fourth-place

Coach: Jeremy Dennis, ninth season

Players to watch: F Dylan Luekenga, sr.; G Colton Dennis, sr.; G Hendrix Castro, so.; F Cordell Sparks, sr.

Notes: First trip to state since 2020, when it won the second of back-to-back titles. … Cinderella team that started the season picked to finish last in the 12-team 6A SIC for the second year in a row. The Lions entered district as the No. 11 seed riding a five-game losing streak after losing its emotional leader, Ayden Melendez, to a knee injury. But Borah shocked the SIC by winning three of four district games to secure a state berth. … Ranks 19th out of 20 teams in 6A with 49.9 points per game, and 10th in points allowed (54 ppg). … 2-6 vs. 6A state qualifiers. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … No player averages more than 10 points per game. Borah instead relies on multiple contributors like Luekegna (9.6 ppg, 5.1 rebounds), Castro (8.3 ppg), Dennis (7.7 ppg) and Sparks (5.8 ppg). … Won 13 state titles, tied with Lapwai for the most in Idaho history.

LAKE CITY TIMBERWOLVES

Record: 19-4

State seed: #2; District 1 champ

Coach: James Anderson, second season

Players to watch: G Reese Strawn, sr.; G Cason Miller, sr.; P Josh Watson, jr.; F Jordan Carlson, so.

Notes: Timberwolves are at state for the sixth straight season, with four returning starters from last year’s consolation trophy winners. Strawn (18.5 points, 5 assists per game) and Miller (11.5 points, 10 assists per game) are four-year varsity players who were key reserves on Lake City’s undefeated state champions in 2023 — the first state title in program history, in its third title game appearance. ... Carlson, son of former North Idaho College women's basketball coaches Chris and Carey Carlson, is averaging 16.5 points per game. ... Watson, cousin of former Gonzaga great Anton Watson, is averaging 9.5 points and 6 rebounds per game. ... Lost to Owyhee by 20 points and to Madison by 12 at a tournament at Owyhee in December. ... Ranked third in the final state media poll.

MADISON BOBCATS

Record: 21-2

State seed: #3; District 4-5-6 champ

Coach: Shane Humphreys, fourth season

Players to watch: G Nash Humpherys, sr.; F Carter Lerwill, sr.

Notes: Fifth straight district championship and state tournament appearance. … Finished third at state last season. … Won eight state titles, the last in 2011 in what’s now the 5A classification. … Dominated their conference, finishing with an 8-0 record in league play. … Suffered two losses — to Coeur d’Alene and Shelley — by a combined nine points. … Won district tournament games against Canyon Ridge and Thunder Ridge by 29 and 20 points, respectively. … No. 2 team in the 6A classification in the final media poll. … Humpherys is a two-time all-state selection who signed with Boise State in November.

MERIDIAN WARRIORS

Record: 15-9

State seed: #5; District 3 third/fourth place

Coach: Jeff Sanor, eighth season

Players to watch: PG Triston Fortin, sr.; SG McKoy Thompson, sr.; SG TJ Sanor, sr.; PF Hunter White, sr.

Notes: Returns to state for the fifth time in six years after last year’s absence. … 7-2 vs. 6A state qualifiers, with its only losses coming to Owyhee. … 15-5 vs. Idaho teams. … Started the season 6-8, including 0-4 in conference, before finishing 9-1. It owned the state’s worst defense (61.7 ppg) through 14 games, but held opponents to 49.3 points per game in its last 10 games. … Ranked No. 5 in the final state media poll. … Three players average 10 or more points per game, including Fortin (12.4 ppg, 1.8 steals), Thompson (11.8 ppg, 4.4 rebounds) and Sanor (10.6 ppg), a three-year starter. White leads the team in rebounds (5.6) while adding 7.8 ppg. … Won the last of its four state titles in 2021 and last reached the finals in 2023.

OWYHEE STORM

Record: 20-4

State seed: #1; District 3 champ

Coach: Andy Harrington, fourth season

Players to watch: PG Boden Howell, sr.; PG Logan Haustveit, jr.; PG Cameron Downie, sr.; PG Jayce Allen, sr.

Notes: Defending state champ. … Four-year-old school has won a state trophy each of the previous three years, including titles in 2024 and 2022. … Spent all season as the No. 1-ranked team in the state media poll. … 16-0 vs. Idaho competition, winning by an average of 20.4 points per game. Only two Idaho teams have stayed within 10 points: Boise (eight, five points) and Centennial (four points). … 7-0 vs. 6A state qualifiers. … Played the toughest schedule in Idaho, according to MaxPreps rankings. … Two of its losses came to the No. 2 team in the country (Harvard-Westlake, California) and the No. 19 team (Gonzaga, D.C.), according to USA Today’s rankings. … Enters on a 10-game winning streak. … Fourth-best scoring offense (65.7 ppg) and second-best scoring defense in 6A (50.8 ppg). … Four players signed or committed to a college basketball program, including Howell (Rice), Jackson Rogers (College of Idaho), Allen (Vanguard) and Downie (Northwest). Haustveit also holds offers from Idaho, Utah Valley and UT Arlington. … Howell carries the scoring load at 18.4 ppg, but Haustveit (11.4 ppg, 4.0 assists), Downie (7.2 ppg), Rogers (6.8 ppg) and Allen (6.8 ppg, 3.8 assists) provide plenty of other options. … Shooting 48% from the floor as a team. … Howell was a second-team All-Idaho pick last year, and Haustveit made the All-Idaho first team two years ago as a freshman at Mountain View.

THUNDER RIDGE TITANS

Record: 13-11

State seed: #7; District 4-5-6 runner-up

Coach: TJ Trane, first season

Players to watch: G Deegan Branson, jr.; F Camden Bateman, so.

Notes: First state appearance in program history … 13-11 overall regular season record, 5-3 in conference play … Beat Highland and Rigby in the district tournament to earn a state berth … Branson is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 13 points per game on 44% shooting — 41% from 3. … Unranked the final state media poll.

TIMBERLINE WOLVES

Record: 16-10

State seed: #4; Play-in winner

Coach: Travis Noble, seventh season

Players to watch: G Alex Ko, sr.; F Jacob Heyne, sr.; G Kole Hudson, jr.; G Collin Morris, so.

Notes: Defending state runner-up returns to the tournament for the third-straight year. … Top defense in 6A (48.5 ppg). … Unranked in the final state media poll. … 3-5 vs. 6A state qualifiers. … 7-3 in its last 10 games. … Handed Preston, the top-ranked 5A team, its only loss of the season in December. … Ko was a second-team All-Idaho pick last season and leads the team in scoring (12.9 ppg) for the third straight season. He also leads the team in assists (2.2) and steals (1.1).  … Heyne (12.7 ppg, 5.6 rebounds) does the dirty work in the paint and has committed to play lacrosse at the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York (NCAA Division III). … Hudson (9.8 ppg) and Morris (6.8 ppg) provide two dangerous 3-point shooters. Hudson shoots 41% behind the arc, and Morris 39%. … Never won a state title, finishing second in 2024 and 2000.

5A STATE TOURNAMENT

BONNEVILLE BEES

Record: 15-10

State seed: #5; District 6 runner-up

Coach: Cortland Hengel, first season

Players to watch: G Ryan Egbert, sr.; F Kayden Carson, sr.

Notes: First state appearance since winning the consolation trophy in 2017 in what’s now the 6A classification. … First winning record since the 2016-17 season. … Beat Blackfoot 80-58 in the District 6 Tournament second-place game to earn the state bid. … Season-best five-game winning streak in December and January included an East Idaho Holiday Shootout tournament championship. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … Won its only state title in 2003 and last reached the finals in 2008. … Last reached the semifinals in 2014.

COLUMBIA WILDCATS

Record: 14-12

State seed: #6; District 3 runner-up

Coach: Blaine Wright, first season

Players to watch: F Blake Hansen, sr.; G Max Keller, so.; F Marcus Deleon, fr.; G Tavin Jones, so.

Notes: At state for first time since 2019 and the second time in program history. … Finished fifth out of eight teams in the SIC regular-season standings before upsetting second-seeded Bishop Kelly and third-seeded Skyview to qualify for state. … Four of its top five leading scorers are underclassmen. … 1-3 vs. 5A state qualifiers, including a win at Twin Falls in December. … Started the season 2-7 before finishing 12-5. … Hansen leads the team in scoring (16.5 ppg) and rebounding (9.8) and has recorded a double-double in eight straight games. … Keller (11.5 ppg), Deleon (9.0 ppg) and Jones (8.4 ppg, 3.3 assists) are other key contributors. … Never won a state title, a state trophy or a first-round game. … Unranked in the final state media poll.

HILLCREST KNIGHTS

Record: 18-5

State seed: #3; District 6 champ

Coach: Mat Barber, first season

Players to watch: F Titan Larsen, sr.; G Gage Blakeslee, sr.

Notes: Fifth straight state appearance. … Reached three straight state championship games, finishing second last season following titles in 2023 and 2022. … Riding a 12-game winning streak against 5A opponents. … Team’s leading scorer is Larsen (17.6 ppg). … Ranked second in the final state media poll.

JEROME TIGERS

Record: 11-13

State seed: #8; District 4 runners-up

Coach: Joe Messick, 18th season

Players to watch: G Anders Sheffield, sr.; G Xaiden Van Tassel, jr.; G AJ Johnson, sr.

Notes: First state tournament appearance since 2022. … Seeks first state trophy since 2021 (consolation). … Finished fourth in Great Basin Conference regular season but sneaked into the state tournament with a 63-61 win over Minico in the GBC’s true second-place game. … Sheffield hit the game-winning free throws with 1.8 seconds left. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … Won its only title in 1987. … Seeks first opening-round win since 2022. … 0-3 against the field. … Experienced team with six seniors. … Lost all-conference senior Trey Burk in December with a torn ACL. … Season-high win streak of three. … Season-high losing streak of four.

LEWISTON BENGALS

Record: 20-4

State seed: #2; District 1-2 champ

Coach: Brooks Malm, third season

Players to watch: G Royce Fisher, jr.; G Jordan Walker, jr.; F Parker Bogar, sr.

Notes: At state for first time since 2017, when it finished third in the state’s largest classification. … Moved down a classification this season due to new IHSAA rules. … Won five state titles, the last in 2009. … Ranked third in the final state media poll. … Did not play any other 5A state qualifiers. … Won eight straight games to start the season. … Second-highest scoring offense in 5A (64.3 ppg). … Third-best scoring defense in 5A (49.21).

MIDDLETON VIKINGS

Record: 17-7

State seed: #4; District 3 champ

Coach: Josh Downey, second season

Players to watch: F Blake Bishop, sr.; G Tye Cornwall, jr.; G Derrick Walker, sr.

Notes: Moved down to a classification this season after going 0-2 in Idaho’s top state tournament last year. … Defeated Skyview 59-39 in the district championship. …Started the season 1-5, playing mostly teams from the 6A SIC in nonconference. … Hasn’t played an Idaho school from outside the Treasure Valley this season. … 2-1 against the only 5A state qualifier it faced, Columbia. … Finished 12-2 in conference play. … Cornwall (15.4 ppg, 4.7 rebounds) leads the team in scoring. … Bishop (12.8 ppg, 6.3 rebounds) and Walker (6.7 ppg) are other key players. … Last won a state title and reached the finals in 2021 under current Owyhee head coach Andy Harrington. … Ranked fourth in the final state media poll. … Ninth trip to state in the past 11 years.

PRESTON INDIANS

Record: 22-1

State seed: #1; District 5 champ

Coach: Tyler Jones, 15th season

Players to watch: G/F Reggie Larsen, sr.; F Cruz Harris, sr.; G Jake Schumann, sr.

Notes: Back at state for the first time since 2021. It was still a top-5 ranked team in the state during that timespan, but its district only gets one state berth. … Wire-to-wire top-ranked team in the state media poll this season. … Enter state on a 14-game winning streak. … Only loss this season was a one-point overtime loss to 6A state qualifier Timberline in December. … Boasts both the top offense (64.7 ppg) and defense (43.8 ppg) in the classification. … Won all but three games by double figures with an average margin of victory of 20.5 points. … Jones is 285-86 (.768) and has won four of the program’s 10 championships during his tenure, the last in 2020. … Larsen (18.2 ppg, 5.2 rebounds) and Harris (17.1 ppg), 6.1 rebounds, 3.9 assists) are both returning all-state players. Schumann (8.3 ppg, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists) is the team’s best defender.

TWIN FALLS BRUINS

Record: 14-9

State seed: #7; District 4 champions

Coach: Mac Stannard, second season

Players to watch: F Trey Billings, so.; G Ty Hess, jr.; G Ryker Rex, sr.

Notes: Third straight state tournament appearance. … Seeking third straight state trophy (won past two consolation trophies). … Looks for first state title since 2014 and fifth overall title. … Seeks first opening-round win since 2015. … Great Basin Conference champions for the first time since 2015. … Frontloaded its schedule with nonconference and interstate opponents, starting 0-4. … Went 9-1 in conference. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … Billings, a varsity newcomer, scored 25 points in the district championship. … Billings is the son of assistant coach Tyler Billings. … Hess is a returning starting point guard and quarterback for the football team. … Only two seniors with Rex and College of Southern Idaho baseball commit Cooper Thompson. … Second-best in 5A defense (47.5 ppg). … 3-3 against the field.

4A STATE TOURNAMENT

BONNERS FERRY BADGERS

Record: 21-1

State seed: #1; District 1 champ

Coach: Nathan Williams, fifth year

Players to watch: G Asher Williams, sr.; G Thomas Bateman, sr.; G Brody Rice, sr.; F Sulay Abubakari, jr.

Notes: At state for fifth straight year. ... Seeking third straight state title game appearance. ... Won first state title last year with a 54-47 win over Teton. ... Ranked No. 1 in every media poll this season. … Top offense (75.2 ppg) and defense (42.8 ppg) in 4A. ... Won 38 of its last 39 games dating back to Dec. 28, 2023. The only loss during that stretch came to Lake City, the No. 2 seed in the 6A tournament, on Feb. 10 (70-65). ... Won four straight IML titles under head coach Nathan Williams, who was the classification’s All-Idaho Coach of the Year last season and holds a career record of 87-26. ... Average winning margin this season is 33.7 points per game. ... Notable wins include 6A Coeur d'Alene (71-52), 2B Reardan (Wash.) (66-57), 5A Sandpoint (80-44), 5A Lakeland (71-55), 5A Lewiston (58-55), 5A Moscow (74-35, 66-50). ... Montana Tech commit Asher Williams (6-6) is a returning three-time All-IML selection and two-time All-Idaho Player of the Year. He recently hit the 2,000-point milestone, averages 28.7 ppg and scored a school-record 50 points against Timberlake on Jan. 18. ... Bateman (6-5) is a returning two-time All-IML selection and an All-Idaho second team pick. He recently hit the 1,000-point milestone and averages 16.5 ppg. ... Rice (6-3) is a returning All-IML selection and runs the offense, averaging 8.2 ppg. ... Abubakari (6-7) can shoot from the perimeter, averaging 8.8 ppg. ... Seniors have all been playing together since third grade.

COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN CHARGERS

Record: 15-7

State seed: #4; District 3 runner-up

Coach: Leif Karlberg, first season

Players to watch: PG Isaiah Holsinger, jr.; G/F Cooper Kollmann, so.; W Adam Ashmead, sr.; G/F Soren Fraas, fr.

Notes: Qualified for state for the third year in a row, including a runner-up finish last season. … Won three state titles in program history (2002, 2004, 2012). … Tied for fifth in the final state media poll of the season. … 0-3 against state qualifiers (all three losses to McCall-Donnelly). … Second-highest scoring team (59.1 ppg) among state qualifiers and third-best defensively (47.2 ppg). … Three players average double-digit scoring: Fraas (13.0 ppg), Holsinger (11.6) and Kollmann (10.5). … Fraas also averages a team-best 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game. … Holsinger leads in assists (4.4) and is the Chargers’ top 3-point threat, knocking down 46 triples this season at a clip of 42.2%.

FILER WILDCATS

Record: 14-9

State seed: #7; District 4 champions

Coach: Rob Anderson, eighth season

Players to watch: G Preston Volle, sr.; G Owen Grant, sr.; G Xavier Kelsey, sr.

Notes: Second straight state tournament appearance. … Back-to-back Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference champions. … Went 0-2 in the 2024 tournament. … Seeks first state championship and has yet to play in a title game. … Looks for first state trophy since 2014 (third). … Unranked in the final state media poll. … Season-high win streak of five games. … 5-5 against the state tournament field.

KIMBERLY BULLDOGS

Record: 12-14

State seed: #8; Play-in winner

Coach: Daren Garey, 11th season

Players to watch: G Broden Anthony, sr.; G Quentin Pettingill, jr.; G Ryker Larson, sr.; F Gerwin Jeschke, jr.

Notes: Defending state consolation champ. … Beat Weiser in a state play-in game to make it to eighth straight state tournament. … Won two state titles (2022, 1952). … Unranked in the final state media poll. … 1-7 against the field. … Anthony is a 1,000-point scorer. … Jeschke is an exchange student from Germany. … Started season 1-7 (seven straight losses). … Season-high win streak of four. … Filer beat Kimberly in the 2024 Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference championship.

MARSH VALLEY EAGLES

Record: 13-11

State seed: #5; District 5 champ

Coach: Chris Ball, second season

Players to watch: G Justis Whitworth, sr.; F Kaden Hansen, sr.; G Jaxon Smith, jr.

Notes: At state for the sixth time in seven years. … Tied for fifth in the final media state poll of the season, its first appearance of the season. … Didn’t get above .500 until the district tournament, where it upset Snake River twice. … Ended the season with four straight wins, including three over teams who were ranked in the state media poll. … Won two state titles (2021, 1988). … The Eagles have gone 6-3 at state in their last three outings, which also includes a third-place showing in 2022. … Hansen leads the team in scoring at 16 points per game. Whitworth is averaging 12 ppg and 6.0 assists, and Smith is putting up 11 ppg and 3.0 steals.

MCCALL-DONNELLY VANDALS

Record: 14-9

State seed: #6; District 3 champion

Coach: Jason Tinney, 13th season

Players to watch: SG Sam Penny, sr.; PF Michael Foster, sr.; G Sam Scott, sr.; PG Maddox Arnold, sr.

Notes: Went two-and-out at state last season but earned runner-up finishes in 2021 and 2022. … Never won a state championship. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … Enters state on a seven-game winning streak. … Penny is a returning All-Idaho second-team pick and is averaging a team-best 21.5 points per game this season along with 4.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists. … Well-rounded scoring, with Foster (12.0 ppg), Scott (9.7) and Arnold (8.8) each making significant contributions. … Foster leads the team with 6.8 rebounds per game, and Arnold is tops in assists at 4.6 a night. … 3-0 against the only state qualifier it faced (Cole Valley Christian).

SNAKE RIVER PANTHERS

Record: 23-3

State seed: #2; Play-in winner

Coach: Robert Coombs, 32nd season

Players to watch: F Marcus Coombs, sr.; G Dawson Jackman, sr.; F Bridjer Howard, so.

Notes: At state for the 10th year in a row and have placed five times during that stretch, including third a year ago. … The Panthers were the top seed a year ago before getting upset by Teton in the semifinals. … Spent most of this season ranked No. 2 in the state media poll, but two losses to Marsh Valley at districts dropped them to third in the final rankings. … This is the 15th team under Coombs to win at least 20 games. … Coombs is closing in on 600 career wins and has won five of the program’s eight state titles with the last coming in 2013. … Boasts a top-3 offense (59 ppg) and defense (43.9 ppg) in the classification.

SUGAR-SALEM DIGGERS

Record: 18-5

State seed: #3; District 6 champ

Coach: Shawn Freeman, 12th season

Players to watch: G Ace Clark, jr.; F Frank Fillmore, so.

Notes: Did not qualify for state last season after winning a title in 2023 … Currently riding a five-game winning streak, two wins shy of its season best (seven) set in December and January … Beat Teton twice (50-42, 59-52) to win its district tournament. … Ranked second in the season’s final state media poll.

3A STATE TOURNAMENT

AMBROSE ARCHERS

Record: 15-8

State seed: #4; District 3 runner-up

Coach: Jordan Whittenburg, first season

Players to watch: G Lincoln Mathis, sr.; G Tristen Trevino, sr.; F Mark Yenor, jr.

Notes: Defending state champ returns to state for the 11th time in the past 12 years. … Lost to New Plymouth in the district championship. … 3-3 vs. 3A state qualifiers. … Mathis (21.1 ppg, 9 rebounds) is signed to play baseball at College of Southern Idaho. …Trevino (17.4 ppg, 3.4 assists) and Yenor (8.6 ppg, 9 rebounds) also played key roles on last year’s championship team. … Ranked fifth in the final state media poll. … Top offense in 3A (64.5 ppg). … Also won a state in 2016 in what’s now the 2A classification.

DECLO HORNETS

Record: 23-1

State seed: #1; Play-in winner

Coaches: Jacoby Fox, ninth season

Players to watch: F Emmett Gibby, sr.; G Carter Robertson, jr.; F Joey Garrard, sr.

Notes: Third straight state tournament appearance. … 0-2 at state the last two years. … Searching for first state win since 2018, when it finished third. … 20-0 before losing to Soda Springs in the district semifinals. … 6-1 vs. 3A state tournament teams. … Gibby and Robertson do most of the scoring. … Plenty of depth to fill other roles. … Best defense (39 ppg) and margin of victory (13.3) in 3A. … Eight players on the roster helped the football team finish as state runner-up in November. … Won two state championships (1998, 2003). …  Ranked first in the final state media poll.

FIRTH COUGARS

Record: 18-5

State seed: #2; District 6 champ

Coach: Scott Adams, sixth season

Players to watch: G Michael Adams, sr.; F Wyatt Killpack, so.

Notes: Third state appearance in four years. … Won eight straight games, its second winning streak of six or more games this season. … Led by Michael Adams and Killpack, who averages a double-double (10.6 ppg, 10 rebounds). … Went 3-0 at its district tournament, winning by 23 points per game. … Second among 3A teams in points allowed per game (45.7) and average point differential (plus-9.9). … Ranked second in the final state media poll. … Scott Adams’ seven state titles is tied for the most among Idaho boys basketball coaches. … Won eight state titles, the last in 2016.

MARSING HUSKIES

Record: 12-11

State seed: #7; Play-in winner

Coach: Lamon Loucks, first season

Players to watch: G Juan Ponce, jr.; G Jace Chadez, sr.; F Teagan Kinney, sr.

Notes: First time at state since 2019. … Never won a state title or reached a championship game. … Entered its district tournament seeded sixth out of seven teams before upsetting Parma and Nampa Christian, then beating St. Maries in a state play-in game.  … Lost seven of eight games in January and February before closing on a four-game winning streak. … 2-4 vs 3A state qualifiers. … Ponce (20.9 ppg) is the leading scorer, while Chadez (11.1 ppg, 4.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists) and Kinney (10.1 ppg, 8.1 rebounds) are other key contributors. … Unranked in the final state media poll.

NEW PLYMOUTH PILGRIMS

Record: 17-7

State seed: #6; District 3 champ

Coach: Chad Mann, first season

Players to watch: C Cohen Evans, jr.; G Josiah Gustin, jr.; C Ashton Robinson, jr.; G Kaden Hawker, sr.

Notes: At state for the first time since 2021. … Defeated Ambrose 57-49 for its first district title since 2017. … 4-3 vs 3A state qualifiers and beat 4A state qualifier McCall-Donnelly 58-55. … Hawker (7.7 ppg) is the only senior in the starting lineup. … New Plymouth has size with the 6-9 Evans (11.3 ppg, 12.1 rebounds) and 6-6 Robinson (10.7 ppg, 7.7 rebounds) in the frontcourt. … Gustin averages 11 points per game. … Third-best defense in 3A (46.4 ppg). … Unranked in the final state media poll. … Only state title came in 1993 and last reached the finals in 2013.

OROFINO MANIACS

Record: 9-13

State seed: #8; District 1-2 champ

Coach: Rocky Barlow, fifth season

Players to watch: G/F Jake Runia, jr.; F Nick Bonner, jr.; G Blake Barlow, so.; G Hudson Scheider, jr.

Notes: Won their five-team district tournament despite entering as the No. 4 seed. … Middle of their season featured an eight-game losing streak that spanned over a month. … Ended their season on a five-game winning streak. … Won two states titles (1950, ‘49). … Their district title was their first since 2008. … Not ranked in the final state media poll and did not play any other team in their state tournament bracket in the regular season.

SODA SPRINGS CARDINALS

Record: 14-10

State seed: #5; District 5 runner-up

Coach: Tom Fuechsel, second season

Players to watch: G Cooper Thompson, jr.; F Konnor McWilliams, jr.; G Gavin Hansen, jr.

Notes: At state for the first time since 2016. … Started the year 5-8 and was the No. 4 seed at district. But handed Declo, the No. 1 seed at state, its only loss of the season in the district semifinals to punch a ticket to state. … The Cardinals ended the year winning nine of 11 games. … Soda Springs has won three state titles, the last in 1991. Since then, it has placed at state five times, including a pair of runner-up finishes in 2015 and ‘05. 

WENDELL TROJANS

Record: 17-6

State seed: #3; District 4-5 champion

Coaches: AJ Kelsey, eighth season

Players to watch: G Jonathan Swainston, jr.; G Jordon Swainston, jr.; F Jarett Borges, jr.; F Jett Jasper, jr.

Notes: At state tournament for first time since 2021. … Seeking first state trophy since 2016, when it finished third. … Beat New Plymouth, its first round opponent, in the 2021 first round. … Jonathan (18.4 ppg, 3.3 rebounds, 2 steals) and Jordon Swainston (14.5 ppg, 4.2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2.2 steals) are small but can take over a game. … Borges (11.1 ppg, 5.5 rebounds) and Jasper have size but can hit outside shots. … Martin Nava rounds out the starting lineup and helped Wendell soccer win the 4A state title in the fall. … 6-4 vs. state tournament teams. … No. 3 offense in 3A (58.3 ppg). … Won three state championships (1958, 1970, 2004). … Ranked third in the final state media poll.

2A STATE TOURNAMENT

GRACE GRIZZLIES

Record: 12-13

State seed: #7; District 5-6 champ, play-in winner

Coach: Rory Lloyd, 19th season

Players to watch: F Parker Yost, jr.; G Braden Kimbell, sr.; G Jamie Smith, sr.

Notes: At state for the eighth time in 10 years. … Was just 6-12 on Jan. 30. But the Grizzlies ended the year winning six of their final seven games, including upsetting Butte County twice. The Pirates were ranked third and spent the entire season ranked in the state media poll. … Grace has three state titles to its name with the last coming in 2003. … But it has placed seven times at state since, with the best one being a runner-up finish in 2020.

HAGERMAN PIRATES

Record: 16-8

State seed: #6; District 4 runner-up

Coach: Katie Knight, second season

Key players: G Ky Kendall, sr.; G Martin Gonzalez, sr.; G Wyatt Mavencamp, jr.; G Casen Knight, fr.

Notes: First state tournament appearance since 2009. … Seeking first state trophy since 2009, when it finished third. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … Won its only state title in 1972 and last reached the finals in 2008. … Lost Snake River Conference championship to Valley before beating Oakley in overtime in the true second-place game to make state. … Kendall and Gonzalez are 1,000-point scorers. … Kendall leads with 19 points and 3.5 steals per game. … Gonzalez leads with 6.9 rebounds per game and averages 13 points per game. … Casen Knight is the son of head coach Katie Knight. … Casen Knight leads with 3.1 assists and averages 7.7 points per game. … 0-3 against field (only played Valley).

KAMIAH KUBS

Record: 21-2

State seed: #1; District 2 runner-up

Coach: Aaron Skinner, ninth season

Players to watch: F Dave Kludt, sr.; G Jaydon Crowe, sr.; G Matthew Oatman, jr.

Notes: Never won a state title game, going 0-5 in state championship games. … Runner-up in 2022, '13, '12, '10 and '06. … Ranked second in the final state media poll. … David Kludt was selected to the all-state first team last season and has committed to play at the College of Idaho. … Started the season 20-0. … 3-1 vs. 2A state qualifiers. … Third-best scoring offense in 2A (65.0). … Fourth-best scoring defense in 2A (43.0).

KENDRICK TIGERS

Record: 17-7

State seed: #3; District 2 champ

Coach: Steve Kirkland, first year

Players to watch: G Ralli Roetcisoender, jr.; G Maddox Kirkland, so.; G Hudson Kirkland, fr.; G Cade Silflow, jr.

Notes: Fourth straight year going to state. ... Won four district titles in a row. … Currently on a 10-game winning streak after a 7-7 start to the season. … Upset top two seeds, Logos and Kamiah, in the district semis and finals. … Its football team, which fields most of the same players, won its fourth consecutive state championship in the fall. ... First season moving up to the 2A level. ... Won seven state titles, the most recent coming in 2023 in what’s now the 1A classification.

LAKESIDE KNIGHTS

Record: 15-5

State seed: #4; District 1 champ

Coach: James Twoteeth, eighth season

Players to watch: G Tyson Charley, jr.; G Hallah Peone, jr.; PG Preston SpottedHorse, sr.

Notes: Last year’s state runners-up are back at state for the fifth time in six seasons. ... Knights have played Lapwai in the last two state title games, winning in 2023 for their second title in four years, and third overall. ... Charley, a three-year starter, averages 23.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 7.7 assists and 2.3 steals. Peone averages 20.2 points and 4.9 assists. SpottedHorse averages 12.7 points and 5.9 rebounds. Sophomore guard Furyus Louie averages 9.5 points per game, and sophomore post Jadin Pluff averages 8.5 points and 5.8 rebounds. ... Lost at Kamiah by 11 points in early December. ... Unranked in the final state media poll. … Highest scoring average (76.1 ppg) across all classifications.

RIVERSTONE OTTERS

Record: 20-2

State seed: #5; District 3 champ

Coach: Nicholas Kitnikone, first season

Players to watch: PG Amer Sangha, sr.; SF Conrad Ness, sr.; SG Finn Simon, sr.

Notes: Returns to state for the first time since 2021, when it went 15-1 and took second, the only state trophy in program history. … Top defense in 2A (35.5 ppg), allowing the Otters to win games by an average of 20.1 points per night. … Ranked No. 4 in the final state media poll. … Started the year 11-0 and closed on a five-game winning streak. … Only losses came to Victory Charter and Cascade, both state qualifiers. … 2-1 vs. the only 2A state qualifier it faced, Victory Charter. … Sanger leads the team in points (14), assists (3.2) and steals (2.7) per game. … Ness is the only other scorer in double figures (11.4 ppg). … Simon (8 ppg) has committed to play lacrosse at the College of Idaho.

VALLEY VIKINGS

Record: 22-0

State seed: #2; Snake River Conference champion

Coach: Brian Hardy, 13th season

Players to watch: G Josh Hardy, sr.; G Pedro Robles, sr.; F Nathan Christensen, sr.

Notes: Second straight state tournament appearance. … Back-to-back Snake River Conference champions. … Lost the 2024 consolation game. … Searching for its first state trophy since 2015, when it finished third. … Won its only state title in 2001 and last reached the finals in 2018. … State’s only undefeated team. … Average margin of victory of 33 points. … Only two single-digit wins. … Ranked first in the final state media poll. … 3-0 against field (only played Hagerman). … No. 2 offense in 2A (68.7 ppg). … No. 2 defense in 2A (35.7 ppg). … Josh Hardy is the team's do-it-all point guard and son of head coach Brian Hardy. … Experienced team with seven seniors. … Anyone can lead the team in scoring on any given night.

VICTORY CHARTER VIPERS

Record: 14-9

State seed: #8; District 3 runner-up

Coach: David Weaver, third season

Players to watch: G Cody Luce, sr.; G Jett Wood, sr.; W/F Carson Wood, sr.; W/F Mark Beliy, so.

Notes: Returns to state for third straight year and fourth time in program history. … Won the state consolation title last year, securing its first state tournament trophy and state tournament victories. … Has yet to win a first-round game at state. … Started 2-7 before winning 11 of its last 13 games. … Regular-season champ in the 2A WIC. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … 1-2 vs. the only 2A state qualifier it faced, Riverstone. … Luce leads the team in points (20.5), assists (4.7) and steals (2.4) per game while adding 6.2 rebounds. … Four players average six or more points per game, including Jett Wood (7.4 ppg, 7.9 rebounds), Carson Wood (6.9 ppg) and Beliy (6.5 ppg).

1A STATE TOURNAMENT

CASCADE RAMBLERS

Record: 17-6

State seed: #4; District 3 champion

Coach: Josh Hurley, fourth season

Players to watch: SG Cole Olson, sr.; PG Finn Wilkins, jr.; C Hayden Hull, sr.; SF Will Huckaby, so.

Notes: Qualified for state for the fourth consecutive season. … Took home the third-place trophy a year ago. … Never won a state title, but has reached the finals twice (2020, 1991). … Tied for fourth in the final state media poll. … Three players average double figures: Olson (17.9 ppg), Wilkins (11.7) and Hull (10.2), while Huckaby (7.8) and Davis Taylor (5.5) give the Ramblers additional scoring options. … Hull leads the Ramblers in rebounding at 7.0 per game, while Wilkins is the assist leader with 3.9 per game. … 1-1 against the only state qualifier it faced (Garden Valley), which also happens to be its first-round opponent. … Third-best defense (45.7 ppg) among state qualifiers.

CHALLIS VIKINGS

Record: 14-11

State seed: #6; Play-in winner

Coach: Justin Farr, third season

Players to watch: G Jacen Farr, sr.; G Brayden Ollar, sr.

Notes: First state appearance since 2019. ... Led by Jacen Farr in points (17.4), rebounds (7.4) and assists (2.1). ... Went 0-2 against first-round opponent, Watersprings, losing by a combined 53 points. ... Beat Leadore, 61-30, in the district tournament and Grace Lutheran, 47-36, in the state play-in game. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … ... Never won a state title. … Last state tournament victory and only trip to the finals came in 2014.

COEUR du CHRIST SAINTS

Record: 14-8

State seed: #8; District 1 champ, play-in winner

Coach: Chris Kiefer, first season

Players to watch: G Ben Connelly, sr.; G Grant Clemens, fr.

Notes: First season as a full member of the IHSAA after spending the past two years as an associate member. ... Most of the Saints’ scoring comes from Connelly (31.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists) and Clemens (15.3 points, 4.2 assists, 3.1 steals). Junior guard Jerome Cools averages 7.4 points and 6.7 rebounds. ... The Coeur du Christ football coach and athletic director is Kellen Clemens, the former Oregon and NFL quarterback. ... Unranked in the final state media poll.

DIETRICH BLUE DEVILS

Record: 19-3

State seed: #1; District 4 champs

Coach: Slade Dill, second season

Players to watch: G Connor Perkins, sr.; F Brody Torgerson, sr.; G Chase Norman, sr.

Notes: First state tournament since 2021 when it finished runner-up. … Beat Carey in the Sawtooth Conference championship. … A Sawtooth Conference team has reached the state final in each of the past four seasons. … Won two state titles (2016, 1966). … Ranked third in the final state media poll. … 2-1 against tournament field. … Opened the season with a 92-50 loss at Valley before winning 11 straight. … Rockland snapped Dietrich’s 11-game win streak on Jan. 17 when Rockland won 63-43. … Enters the tournament with five straight wins. … Experienced group with seven seniors, including first-team All-Idaho quarterback Perkins, who will play football for NJCAA North Dakota State College of Science. … Perkins leads the team with 20.1 points, 2.8 assists and 4.1 steals per game… Torgerson leads with 11.3 rebounds per game and also averages 10.8 points per game. … Norman averages 13.2 points per game. … Top 1A offense with 69.5 points per game. … Dill took over as head coach in 2023-24 after former head coach and his father, Slade Dill, died in summer 2023.

GARDEN VALLEY WOLVERINES

Record: 19-8

State seed: #5; Play-in winner

Coach: Heather Kelly, fourth season

Players to watch: G Maxon Yearsley, jr.; G Madix Miller, jr.; G Cody Perrin, so.; P Conor Ross, sr.

Notes: Back at state for the second year in a row. … Lost in the third-place game at state to Cascade last season. … Owns one state title, winning it all in 2021. … Unranked in final state media poll. … 1-4 against state qualifiers, splitting with conference foe Cascade and losing to Watersprings and Dietrich. … Third-highest scoring offense (61.6 ppg) among state qualifiers. … Yearsley (14.7 ppg) and Miller (12.6 ppg) each contribute double-digit scoring, while Ross is the Wolverines’ top rebounder (9.1), Miller leads in assists (5.6), Yearsley in steals (1.6) and Ross in blocks (1.3). … Perrin (9.8 ppg), Ross (7.4 ppg) and senior guard Trevor Corn (7.2 ppg) give Garden Valley an array of scoring options.

NEZPERCE NIGHTHAWKS

Record: 13-5

State seed: #7; District 2 champ

Coach: Conner McLeod, fifth year

Players to watch: Aidan McLeod, sr.; Brennen McLeod, so.; Slater Kuther, fr.

Notes: Making their first state tournament appearance since 2013. … Upset top-seeded Clearwater Valley of Kooskia in double overtime in the district final. … Started the season 8-5, but have now won five straight. ... Won four state titles, the most recent in 2012.

ROCKLAND BULLDOGS

Record: 20-3

State seed: #2; District 5-6 runner-up

Coach: Shae Neal, eighth season

Players to watch: G Aidan Radford, sr.; G Woodrow Lowder, jr.; G Xaiver Parrish, so.

Notes: Fifth straight state tournament appearance and seventh in the past eight years. … Won the consolation championship last season for the fourth state trophy in a row. … Ended the year second in the state media poll. Spent some time as the No. 1 team in the state, as well. … Two of its losses this season came to conference rival Watersprings, which won the district championship. … Has the classification’s best defense (35.5 ppg) and fifth-best offense (58.7 ppg). … Lone state championship came in 2022.

WATERSPRINGS WARRIORS

Record: 20-3

State seed: #3; District 5-6 champ

Coach: Evan Bindenagel, third season

Players to watch: C Titus Driver, sr.; G Korban Nelson, jr.

Notes: Third consecutive state appearance and third in program history. … Went 2-0 against No. 2 seed Rockland, including a 69-47 victory on Jan. 21 … Led on both sides of the court by the 6-foot-10 Driver, who averages 13.7 points, 12.7 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game … Top-ranked 1A team in the final state media poll. … Second-best defense in 1A (39.2 ppg). … Searching for the program’s first state tournament trophy.