Conference Preview
 3A Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference
Written by: Sven Alskog
PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Gooding
2. Buhl
3. Kimberly
4. Filer
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Grace Parker, Junior, Gooding
Laken Wolf, Junior, Gooding
Sage Eckert, Senior, Buhl
Madison Somers, Senior, Buhl
Josie Schmitz, Junior, Kimberly
Things appear to be as wide-open as ever in the 3A Sawtooth Central Idaho Conference this season, with what appears to be a race for the title that any team could be right in the thick of.
Talented juniors in Grace Parker for Gooding and Josie Schmitz for Kimberly both return, while Buhl has a pair of quality seniors in Sage Eckert and Madison Somers.
For Gooding, having First Team All-Conference selection Parker back to go along with Second Team All-Conference junior guard Laken Wolf will be big. The Senators also have a trio of junior guards to go along with the All-Conference players in Keely Wolf, Erika Anthony and Riley Comstock, who is returning from knee surgery.
“We are a really athletic team and plan on using that to our advantage. We have a great group of
girls that have been playing together since they were young,” said Gooding head coach Jysen Lancaster.
With the loss of post Tessa Conrad, this group will need to go fast to offset the lack of size.
“We need to control the pace better in order to be successful. We also need to have solid
man-to-man defense. We plan on running a fast paced offense in order to compensate for the lack of height in the post,” added Lancaster.
Buhl is an up-and-coming team in its second season under head coach Kody Bingham, who led the Indians to a winning record in his first year.
Just two players exited from that group, meaning more of the same should be in store in Buhl for the new season.
“I’m excited about continuing to build upon our success last year. We like to play aggressive defense and we work hard in playing exciting basketball on the offensive end,” said Bingham.
Eckert and Sommers lead the way for the Indians, a pair of seniors who can be expected to have big production in their final high school year.
Kimberly has multiple players to replace who made a huge impact on the program over recent years, including Ashlie Watts, Emily Wadsworth, Jessi Schmitz and Lander Yamada.
Fortunately for head coach Stanley Watts, after a 16-8 mark in his first season, he does return Second Team All-Conference junior guard Josie Schmitz.
It will be a much younger look for the Lady Dawgs, but they are looking forward to seeing what the youth can do.
“It will be exciting to see these young players develop and become stronger as a team. We are fast and we are young, so we have a lot to learn and need to gain more control,” added Watts.
Post Tory Sievers is the lone senior for Kimberly, so juniors Demi Rosenkrance and Jessie Wadsworth, along with sophomores Annie and Meg Walker should have plenty of opportunities.
Filer is young as well, but first year head coach Mike Amaya could help lead a quick turnaround for the Wildcats if all goes well, as talent is in place.
“Filer has some great athletes and has a new coach. They could do some great things,” said Lancaster.
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