Preseason Coaches Poll
T-1. Bonners Ferry
T-1. Kellogg
T-1. Priest River
4. Timberlake
Players to Watch
Braeden Blackmore, Bonners Ferry
Ridge Williams, Bonners Ferry
Kolby Luna, Kellogg
Riply Luna, Kellogg
Blake Barrett, Priest River
Trentyn Kreager, Priest River
Jordan Nortz, Priest River
Hunter Higgins, Timberlake
Written by: Brandon Baney
The Intermountain League was extremely balanced a year ago, and a similar outcome appears to be on the table in 2021-22.
So it’s no surprise that Bonners Ferry, Kellogg and Priest River all tied for first place in the preseason coaches poll.
The Spartans are the defending league champs from a year ago, Kellogg won the league in 2020, and Timberlake boasted the top mark in 2019. Looks like Bonners Ferry is up next in the rotation.
“Honestly, on any given night in our league any time can beat anyone,” says Badgers coach Nathan Williams. “It makes our league tough this year to predict who and what, but hopefully it makes us a tougher league so we can compete at the state level.”
And therein lies the rub. For all of the parity the IML has experienced over the years, it’s been a detriment at state. There hasn’t been a team from up north in the 3A semifinals since Kellogg in 2017.
Bonners Ferry went 12-10 overall a year ago with an extremely young team. “With 6 of my 10 varsity players last year being sophomores I am looking forward to playing more physical and limiting our opponents scoring opportunities,” says Williams.
Included in that group of super sophomores from a year ago are All-IML guards Braeden Blackmore and Ridge Williams. Blake Rice is another solid junior, while senior guard Ethan Hubbard will also be relied upon. “Asher Williams, a 9th grader, could make an impact with his ability to score and create for others on the offensive end,” adds Williams.
In an effort to further the goal of becoming more competitive on the state level, Bonners Ferry has put together a tough schedule this year. ”With Bonners Ferry being the farthest northern team it is difficult sometimes to play other 3A schools outside our league. Therefore, I’m looking forward to traveling to new places and playing new teams,” says Williams. “The Parma Holiday Tournament will do that for us this year and I am excited for the boys to play on Dec. 28th-30th.”
Priest River is the defending league champion, and they return Trentyn Kreager, who earned co-MVP honors in the IML a year ago. Blake Barrett and Jordan Nortz also return for the Spartans. One new face this year will come from the sidelines. Former coach Kevin Wylie was just elected as Priest River’s mayor, so Jaden Barrett will take over the Spartans’ program.
Kellogg enjoyed a breakthrough campaign on the football field earlier this fall, and many of those players will take their talents to the basketball court as well. The Luna brothers, Riply and Kolby, were a dangerous quarterback-wide receiver tandem in football, and will bolster the Wildcats’ backcourt.
A year after winning the conference in 2019-20, Timberlake went just 7-15 a year ago. Coach Mike Menti will have several talented athletes to work with, including Hunter Higgins, Joseph Borges, Kale Paslay, Taylor Menti and Mason Zollinger.