Welcome to Baney's Basketball Breakdown, a weekly reset that allows all of us to catch our breath and reflect on the past week of high school competition.  There will be lots to digest below, so let's get to it!

OPENING TIP

All eyes were on Cottonwood this past week, as the Lapwai Wildcats traveled south to face the Prairie Pirates in a Class 2A Whitepine League battle on Tuesday, December 2.  The matchup alone would be worth the watch, as these two have been the dominant powers in the WPL for the past 20 years.  But an added layer of intrigue developed over the summer, when Prairie made the decision to fire Lori Mader as head coach.  Over 15 seasons, Mader was a perfect 15-for-15 in getting the Pirates to the state tournament.  In those 15 trips to state, Prairie also won two championships, and finished second overall an additional eight times.  Not only was Mader a fantastic coach, she's also one of the best players in Prairie history.  A true homegrown talent that only desired to give back to her community.  One team's discarded coach can often be another team's hidden gem.  Over the summer, Lapwai coach Josh Leighton Jr. retired, which created a unique opening.  Mader, who had spent 15 years guiding Lapwai's chief rival, is now leading the Wildcats into a new era.  By the way, Lapwai went to Cottonwood and emerged with a wire-to-wire 56 to 49 win.  Three Wildcats reached double figures in the win: Skylin Picard (17 points), Madden Bisbee (14) and Lois Oatman (12).  Lapwai is now 4-0 on the season, and will host Prairie in the rematch on January 15.

GAME OF THE WEEK

In a battle of 6A programs that are rebuilding, Meridian (2-5) sneaked past Lake City (1-7) on Thursday, December 4.  Lake City senior Abby Smith scored in the post with just 17 seconds to play, tying the contest up at 53-53, but on Meridian's possession, Chanel Schureman drew a foul with just 0.5 seconds remaining.  Schureman sank one-of-two free throws, which was enough, to nudge the Warriors past the Wolves 54-53.  Senior Kiet Martinez led Meridian with 19 points in the win, while Lake City freshman Brynlee Johnston scored 13 points.

TEAM OF THE WEEK

The Class 5A Sandpoint Bulldogs have quietly been going about their business with a new coach in Madi Schoening.  The Bulldogs are 4-0 overall, with four wins over four different class of opponents: 6A Post Falls, 5A Moscow, 4A Bonners Ferry, and University High from Spokane, Washington.  The Bulldogs defeated Moscow 62-40 on Tuesday, December 2, to improve to 2-0 in the combined 6A/5A Inland Empire League.  That was followed up by a 65-36 blasting of the University Titans on Friday, December 5.  Guards Brecken Mire and Jordyn Tomco have been filling up the stat sheet recently, and now we get to Sandpoint compete on a bigger stage: the TitleOne Tip-Off Classic in Idaho Falls (more on that in our Tourney Time section below).

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

It's hard to ignore what Class 6A Eagle has been up to recently.  The Mustangs (7-0 overall, 2-0 Southern Idaho Conference) traveled north for three games against Coeur d'Alene, Post Falls and Lake City this past Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and earned a clean sweep.  Junior forward Berkley Jones led the way.  Against Coeur d'Alene, Jones finished with a double-double of 31 points and 13 rebounds.  The very next day, at Post Falls, Jones somehow reached higher, with 35 points, five rebounds and three steals.  To wrap up the road trip, Jones only scored 16 against Lake City, but remember, this was Eagle's third game in three days.  Special shoutout to Jones' teammate Taya Nelson.  Nelson also went for a double-double against Coeur d'Alene, with 26 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.  Nelson also dropped 20 against Lake City.

30-BURGER CLUB

Each week, we will highlight any player that breaks the 30-point mark in a single game (please send in 30-burger performers to brandon@idahosports.com).

Berkley Jones, 11, Eagle (35 points vs. Post Falls on Friday, December 5)
Berkley Jones, 11, Eagle (31 points vs. Coeur d'Alene on Thursday, December 4)

TOURNEY TIME!

Each week, we'll list all of the regular season tournaments featuring Idaho squads:

"GET TUFF" TUFF SAMUELSON INVITATIONAL (EVANSTON HS - EVANSTON, WYOMING)
Thursday, December 11 - Saturday, December 13
9 teams, 3 scheduled games for each team
Timberline (Boise)

KSA EVENTS OAHU CLASSIC (RADFORD HS - HONOLULU, HAWAII)
Friday, December 12 - Saturday, December 13
4 teams, pool play, 3 scheduled games for each team
Kellogg

ROLLY LINCOLN MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT (WILDER HS)
Friday, December 12 - Saturday, December 13
4 teams, bracket play
Centennial Baptist, Idaho City, Treasure Valley Classical, Wilder

TITLEONE TIP-OFF CLASSIC (MOUNTAIN AMERICA CENTER - IDAHO FALLS)
8 teams, bracket play
Bishop Kelly, Borah, Burley, Kimberly, Hillcrest, Mountain Home, Sandpoint, Twin Falls