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PARMA GIRLS BASKETBALL

Head Coach

Michael Calkins, 13th Season

Key Athletes

Rylie Calkins, 12, G

Haylee Gentry, 12, P

Maria Gentry, 12, G

Aarey Harris, 12, P

Kaidance Kaiser, 12, G

After getting so close to the top of the championship mountain in previous campaigns, Parma’s girls basketball program secured its first title in school history by whipping through a 23-2 overall season that featured new school records, thrilling finishes, and lots of emotion.

The Panthers were led by a starting five of exclusively seniors: point guard Kaidance Kaiser, wings Maria Gentry and Rylie Calkins, and posts Haylee Gentry and Aarey Harris.  Calkins, the daughter of head coach Michael Calkins, leaves Parma High as the all-time leading scorer in school history.  Harris, a double-double machine underneath, was named the MVP of the 3A State Tournament.

That 3A State Tournament featured an easy opening round win over Soda Springs, 49-24, but the degree of difficulty increased after that.  A semifinal showdown with conference rival Melba (their fourth meeting of the year) wasn’t clinched until the closing moments in a 39-33 win.  In the championship game against Malad, the Panthers built up a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter, but that lead quickly evaporated, as Malad reeled off 16 unanswered points to tie the game at 55-55.  Parma regained their composure, though, and closed out the Dragons, 58-55.

PRESTON BOYS BASKETBALL

Head Coach

Tyler Jones, 15th Season

Key Athletes

Trip Beckstead, 11, F

Kasen Bryce, 11, W

Cruz Harris, 12, F

Reggie Larsen, 12, W

Jake Schumann, 12, G

After a two-year hiatus from the state basketball tournament, the Preston Indians returned to the sport’s biggest stage in triumphant fashion, capping off a 25-1 season with an absolute dismantling of Jerome (first round), Bonneville (semifinals) and Hillcrest (championship).  In the three wins at state, Preston outscored their opponents 202 to 135.

Preston’s only loss on the season came to Class 6A Timberline, and that game was decided by a single point in overtime.  The Indians averaged 64 points per game while allowing only 44 points per contest.

6-foot-5 senior Reggie Larsen was a matchup nightmare for opponents, and was named Player of the Year in Class 5A hoops.  Fellow senior Cruz Harris was a double-double threat every night, and senior point guard Jake Schumann led a steady hand to Preston’s offense and defense.  It all led to Preston’s 11th boys basketball championship in school history.