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Conference Preview

5A Inland Empire League

Written by: Sven Alskog

PRESEASON COACHES POLL
1. Post Falls
2. Coeur d’Alene
3. Lewiston
4. Lake City

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Colby Gennett, Junior, Post Falls
Kale Edwards, Senior, Coeur d’Alene
Donaven Santana, Senior, Lewiston
Jack Kiesbuy, Sophomore, Lake City

Post Falls hopes that a young nucleus of talent can help keep the program towards the top of the league this season.

After having a surplus of experience last year, Post Falls now turns to junior All-IEL guard Colby Gennett to take over the bulk of the leadership duties, something he appears ready to do.

Gennett teams with sophomore guard trio Alex Horing, Caden McLean and Cole Rutherford to form a guard line with a mix of height, athleticism and shooting ability.

Both Gennett and Horing are six-feet-four-inches or taller, which should give the Trojans some matchup advantages throughout the season.

“We are very skilled and have a high basketball IQ. We are very inexperienced at the varsity level [one returner], but will have the ability to improve each day and the opportunity to be very solid by the end of the season,” said Post Falls head coach Mike McLean.

With an almost entirely new-look, the coaching staff is excited to see what the team can do.

“Last year we were senior-heavy with a lot of experience. This year, we have more basketball depth, without the experience. We have six sophomores on varsity,” added McLean.

Coeur d’Alene has a much different type of roster in place, with a group that has now built up more experience after being young recently.

Senior posts Kale Edwards and Carter Friesz team with a strong backcourt led by Drew Hostetter to give the Vikings a group that should be able to compete well on a nightly basis in league play.

“We are athletic and we are going to play up-tempo. If we can groove our team chemistry we should be very competitive,” said Coeur d’Alene head coach Tony Hanna. “We are very athletic and good at every skill position.”

Other coaches expect Hanna’s team to be a tough out.

“Coeur d’Alene has almost their entire team back. They have the most returning experience and should make it to state,” added McLean.

Lewiston was picked third in the preseason coaches poll and is led by senior Donaven Santana.

The Bengals have some pieces to replace, but should be able to compete in a new-look 5A IEL this year.

Lake City may look as different as anybody.

Post James Carlson has graduated along with multiple tough scoring guards, leaving a young nucleus of mostly sophomores and juniors in place to step up.

Among them are sophomore wing Jack Kiesbuy and fellow sophomores Chris Irvin and Nathan Spellman.

“We will be a work in progress. Should be long and fairly tall. Some good young talent,” said Lake City head coach Jim Winger. “We are a brand new team except Jack Kiesbuy.”