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

Over the past couple of seasons, Idaho high school teams from the Magic Valley and east Idaho have been playing non-conference games at Salt Lake City's Delta Center, home to the NBA's Utah Jazz.  The teams play early in the afternoon, and then get to stay for a Jazz game later that evening.  It's a once-in-a-lifetime experience for the teams involved, and any time we get an exciting game, it's a cherry on top of the sundae.  That's exactly what happened on Saturday, December 20, as defending Class 3A champion Wendell (4-1) outlasted Class 4A Filer (4-5) in double overtime, 60-55.  Twin brothers Jonathan and Jordon Swainston finished with 18 and 16 points, respectively, to lead the way for the Trojans in the win.

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: Boise (5-0) - vs. Meridian
5A: Emmett (4-0) - vs. Weiser, vs. McCall-Donnelly
4A: Sugar-Salem (6-0) - vs. Ririe, vs. Evanston, Wyoming (East Idaho Holiday Shootout), vs. TBD (East Idaho Holiday Shootout), vs. TBD (East Idaho Holiday Shootout), vs. American Falls
3A: Orofino (5-0) - at Dayton, Washington
2A: Rimrock (6-0) - vs. Horseshoe Bend
2A: Centennial Baptist (6-0) - No games
2A: Lakeside (4-0) - No games
2A: Lapwai (3-0) - No games
1A: Grace Lutheran (6-0) - 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.

Alaska (1-2)
Arizona (0-1)
California (4-2)
Colorado (3-1)
Hawaii (2-1)
Montana (3-3)
Nevada (15-1)
Oregon (16-11)
Utah (4-8)
Washington (13-18)
Wyoming (5-8)

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).

Caden Symons, 12, Coeur d'Alene (53 points vs. Alta, UT on Saturday, December 20)
Korban Nelson, 12, Watersprings (32 points vs. Hansen on Saturday, December 20)
Caden Symons, 12, Coeur d'Alene (32 points vs. Mater Dei, CA on Friday, December 19)
JJ Yearout, 12, St. Maries (31 points vs. Liberty, WA on Friday, December 19)
Gabe Eddins, 12, Centennial (30 points vs. Madison on Thursday, December 18)

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 games over the next two weeks

AVISTA HOLIDAY TOURNAMENT (LEWIS-CLARK STATE COLLEGE - LEWISTON)
Monday, December 29 - Wednesday, December 31
8 teams, bracket play
Kellogg, Kendrick, Lewiston, Moscow, Clarkston (Washington), Ellensburg (Washington), Pendleton (Oregon), Billings Christian (Montana)

THE CLASSIC AT DAMIEN (DAMIEN HS - LA VERNA, CALIFORNIA)
Friday, December 26 - Tuesday, December 30
144 teams, 9 brackets (16 teams per bracket), bracket play
Owyhee

DESERT HOLIDAY CLASSIC (RANCHO MIRAGE HS - CALIFORNIA)
Friday, December 26 - Tuesday, December 30
88 teams, 3 games for each team
Mountain View

EAST IDAHO HOLIDAY SHOOTOUT (BONNEVILLE HS / IDAHO FALLS HS / SKYLINE HS / THUNDER RIDGE HS)
Monday, December 29 - Wednesday, December 31
16 teams, bracket play, 3 brackets
American Falls, Bonneville, Highland, Idaho Falls, Madison, Post Falls, Preston (one game), Skyline, Snake River, Sugar-Salem, Teton (two games), Thunder Ridge, Spring Creek (Nevada), Bear River (Utah), Evanston (Wyoming), Jackson Hole (Wyoming)

GESA WINTER SHOOTOUT (EASTMONT HS - EAST WENATCHEE, WASHINGTON)
Thursday, January 1 - Saturday, January 3
More than 10 teams, 3 games for each team
Sandpoint

THE HOLIDAY CLASSIC (TORREY PINES HS - SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA)
Friday, December 26 - Tuesday, December 30
16 teams, bracket play
Lake City

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