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

There has been some incredible action throughout the year already, and 2026 promises to bring even more exciting play to the court.  For this weekly feature, though, this will be the final edition of the Breakdown for the year 2025.  There won't be much action because of the Christmas holiday, so I will take the time off to enjoy family and friends, and truly reflect on what this Christmas season is really about: the birth of our savior Jesus Christ.  I sincerely hope that in between Christmas dinner, and presents, and basketball practices, that all of you take the time to reflect upon that as well.

GAME OF THE WEEK

6A High Country Conference rivals Madison (9-3) and Thunder Ridge (6-5) enjoyed an epic battle on Tuesday, December 16 in Rexburg.  With less than a minute to play, Thunder Ridge junior Allie Kunz drained a three-point shot from the corner to push the Titans ahead, 50-49.  Madison's response came with just five seconds to play, as senior Aspen Boice scored on a layup to give Madison a 51-50 lead.  Thunder Ridge's half-court prayer went unanswered, and the Bobcats survived.  Boice led all scorers with 20 points in the win, while Thunder Ridge was paced by sophomore Kayla Kunz's 14 points.  The rematch between these two occurs on Thursday, January 15 in Idaho Falls.

UNDEFEATED WATCH

Each week in this space, we'll keep a running list of the teams that are still unbeaten in Idaho, with a look at the games that lie ahead on their schedule for the upcoming week:

*NOTE: Since we are taking a Christmas break next week, this section will feature games over the next two weeks

6A: Rigby (14-0) - No games
4A: Sugar-Salem (11-0) - vs. Shelley
4A: Marsh Valley (10-0) - vs. Preston, vs. Buhl
2A: Lapwai (7-0) - No games
1A: Salmon River (9-0) - No games
1A: Mackay (8-0) - vs. Butte County, vs. Challis
1A: Deary (7-0) - No Games
1A: Sho-Ban (2-0) - No Games

LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR

In this section, we'll keep track of how Idaho has performed against its competition from other states throughout the year.  As we head into Christmas Tournament time, there will be plenty of opportunities for Idaho to show its dominance over teams from across the nation.

Alabama (0-1)
Arizona (2-0)
California (5-3)
Colorado (5-2)
Montana (2-2)
Nebraska (1-0)
Oklahoma (1-0)
Oregon (12-7)
Tennessee (0-1)
Utah (8-6)
Washington (20-8)
Wyoming (3-1)

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).

Brookeslee Colvin, 11, Coeur d'Alene (41 points vs. Liberty, AZ on Thursday, December 18)
Eden Jensen, 12, Ririe (41 points vs. Salmon on Thursday, December 18)
Taren Bateman, 11, Bonners Ferry (38 points vs. Colville, WA on Tuesday, December 16)
Rylee Walters, 12, Salmon River (37 points vs. La Grande, OR on Thursday, December 18)
Taren Bateman, 11, Bonners Ferry (34 points vs. Moscow on Monday, December 15)
Brookeslee Colvin, 11, Coeur d'Alene (34 points vs. Pinnacle, AZ on Friday, December 19)
Brookeslee Colvin, 11, Coeur d'Alene (34 points vs. Cathedral Catholic, CA on Saturday, December 20)

TOURNEY TIME!

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

*NOTE: Since we are taking a Christmas break next week, this section will feature tournaments over the next two weeks

AVISTA HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT (LEWIS-CLARK STATE COLLEGE - LEWISTON)
Monday, December 29 - Wednesday, December 31
8 teams, bracket play
Grangeville, Lakeside, Lewiston, Moscow, Clarkston (Washington), Ellensburg (Washington), Evergreen (Oregon), Pendleton (Oregon)

EAGLE HOLIDAY CLASSIC (EAST VALLEY HS - SPOKANE, WASHINGTON)
Saturday, December 27 - Tuesday, December 30
Over 20 teams, 2 games for each team
Timberlake

EAST IDAHO HOLIDAY SHOOTOUT (BONNEVILLE HS / IDAHO FALLS HS / SKYLINE HS / THUNDER RIDGE HS)
Monday, December 29 - Wednesday, December 31
16 teams, bracket play, 2 brackets
COAST GUARD BRACKET: Highland, Lakeland, Pocatello, Post Falls, Skyline, Thunder Ridge, Green Canyon (Utah), Skyridge (Utah)
NAVY BRACKET: Bonneville, Century, Idaho Falls, Snake River, Teton, Deseret Peak (Utah), Evanston (Wyoming), Jackson Hole (Wyoming)

LIONS CLUB CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT (REARDAN HS - WASHINGTON)
Monday, December 29 - Tuesday, December 30
4 teams, bracket play
Bonners Ferry

TIMBERLION TOURNAMENT (BORAH HS / TIMBERLINE HS)
Thursday, January 1 - Saturday, January 3
14 teams, 2 or 3 games for each team
Borah, Capital, Centennial, Cole Valley Christian, Columbia, Jerome, Kuna, Middleton, Minico, Mountain View, Ridgevue, Rocky Mountain, Skyview, Timberline