Preseason Coaches Poll
T-1. Butte County
T-1. Grace
3. Challis
4. Taylor's Crossing
Players to Watch
Jarett Ollar, Challis
Carson Parkinson, Challis
RJ Philps, Challis
Logan Gamett, Butte County
Konner Lambson, Butte County
Porter Taylor, Butte County
Tyler Wanstrom, Butte County
Payson Andersen, Grace
Dallon Draper, Grace
Grey Gibbs, Grace
Ty Gilbert, Grace
Augie Droegemueller, Taylor's Crossing
Written by: Brandon Baney
On the surface, the High Desert Conference race appears to be Grace's for the taking once again. The Grizzlies won the conference a year ago with an 11-14 overall record, but went two and out at state with losses to Lapwai and Lakeside.
But look closer, and you'll see a couple of threats looming in the distance. Butte County (6-18) and Challis (2-15) were better than their records indicate, and are ready to challenge Grace for league supremacy in 2021-22.
But the conversation starts with Grace. The Grizzlies return four All-Conference players from a year ago. Junior point guard Ty Gilbert, junior shooting guard Payson Andersen, junior forward Dallon Draper and senior post Grey Gibbs are a tough quartet to contend with. Combine those four with longtime coach Rory Lloyd and a strong tradition overall, and Grace will certainly be the favorite once again in the High Desert Conference.
Returning four All-Conference players is nice, but Butte County can do one better. The Pirates welcome back their top seven players from a year ago, and only lost one senior overall to graduation. Seniors Tyler Wanstrom, Konner Lambson, Boone Gamett and Porter Taylor all return to the starting lineup, as does junior Logan Gamett. Juniors Jaden Wanstrom and Cory Gamett will resume their roles as the top two players off the bench.
Butte County head coach Mindy Gamett believes that after a season of on-the-job training and trial by fire, her team is ready to take the next step. She says that possible matchups against Victory Charter or Oakley at the Dietrich Holiday Tournament will provide her team an early measuring stick against quality competition.
Challis shouldn't be discounted this year, either. The Vikings return starting point guard Jarett Ollar, and the post tandem of Carson Parkinson and RJ Philps. If head coach Brad Lambson can get his team to finish games more strongly, Challis could be ready to make a move up the standings as well.
At Taylor's Crossing, just learning the fundamentals of the game was a big priority a year ago. "Last year was a rough year," head coach Cody Nelson says. "Before last year, Cody Hansen was the only one who had played basketball before, (so we) had a season of learning what a basketball is and how it is used to play the game."
Cody Hansen led the team a year ago, and graduated as the school's all-time leading scorer, rebounder and shot blocker. His departure looms large, as Taylor's Crossing will field a young, inexperienced team again. The good news: they will co-op with Alturas Prep, and enthusiasm is high.
"We have 7 boys from there (Alturas Prep), but none of the kids have played before this season," says Nelson. "So we will be starting back at the beginning. Learning the basics that most players have been doing for years. This is another learning year for all of these boys and for us as coaches."