Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Kendrick
2. Timberline
3. Highland
4. Deary
5. Nezperce
6. St. John Bosco
Players to Watch
Lakye Taylor, Deary
Ty Hambly, Highland
Jagger Hewett, Kendrick
Ty Koepp, Kendrick
Ryen Zenner, Nezperce
Jaron Christopherson, Timberline
Written by: Brandon Baney
Deary ran through the White Pine League like a hot knife through butter a year ago, compiling a 9-1 conference record and a 17-4 overall mark.
But at the most important time of the year, the Mustangs stumbled. Back-to-back losses to Timberline at districts ended Deary's season much earlier than expected. To make matters worse, four starters graduated, including all-word talents like Brayden Stapleton and Landon Kirk.
It's not impossible for Deary to climb to the top of the mountain again in 2021-22, but head coach Jalen Kirk will have his hands full. The one ace up coach Kirk's sleeve is 6'8" sophomore Lakye Taylor. Relatively untested in varsity competition, if Taylor can develop into a consistent threat over the course of the season, Deary will be right in the mix.
Timberline went two-and-out at state a year ago after upsetting Deary at districts. An 11-11 overall record masks the fact that the Spartans went 7-2 in league play. But, just like Deary, Timberline saw a lot of seniors depart, including Rylan Larson. Senior post Jaron Christopherson will lead a group of solid varsity returners in Weippe.
A young Kendrick team finished third in the league last year. The Tigers were 10-12 overall, but like Timberline, went 7-3 in the conference. Because their losses via graduation were smaller compared to other league foes, Kendrick has been picked to win the White Pine in 2021-22.
While Talon Alexander and Rylan Hogan will be missed, Kendrick head coach Tim Silflow has a full arsenal of playmakers returning. Senior Preston Boyer and junior Jagger Hewett will lead from the backcourt. Sophomore Ty Koepp will play at forward, while sophomore Dallas Morgan will anchor the team inside the paint. Another welcome addition is sophomore guard Lane Clemenhagen, who missed last season with a broken foot.
Almost all of Kendrick's basketball players were members of the Tigers' state championship-winning football team. Because of Kendrick's deep run in the playoffs, the Tigers could start more slowly than other teams whose football seasons ended earlier. Staying healthy will also be key.
Highland went 4-6 in the league a year ago, and 7-12 overall. The Huskies boast one of the best all-around players in Ty Hambly, but how the other varsity contributors develop will ultimately determine if Highland can make the leap into the upper half of the conference standings.
St. John Bosco went 2-10 last year. Head coach Alexander Frei lost his top assistant coach, Alyssa Frei. Alyssa has taken over the St. John Bosco girls basketball team, as the Patriots are fielding a girls varsity team for the first time in three years.
Nezperce has nowhere to go but up after a 2-15 campaign that included an 0-10 mark in the league. Ryen Zenner will lead the Nighthawks in 2021-22.