Preseason Coaches Poll
1. North Fremont
2. Firth
3. Ririe
4. West Jefferson
5. Salmon
Players to Watch
Athan Blonquist, Firth
Austin Jacobsen, Firth
Kyle Jacobsen, Firth
Luke Hill, North Fremont
Jordan Lenz, North Fremont
Max Palmer, North Fremont
Landon Johnson, Ririe
Chris Kern, Ririe
Colton Kirby, Salmon
Written by: Brandon Baney
Over the past several years, the Nuclear Conference has been North Fremont's to win, while the rest of the league has been relegated to secondary status. After 2A state titles in 2019 and 2020, followed by a buzzer-beating loss to St. Maries in the semifinals and a third place finish at state in 2021, you would think that North Fremont might finally be due for a down year.
That's what you get for thinking. The Huskies are locked and loaded for another deep postseason run in 2021-22, although the gap between North Fremont and the rest of the Nuclear Conference may be closing a bit.
North Fremont head coach Shannon Hill will have to figure out how to replace Luke Hill, who graduated. "He was our team leader and floor general," coach Hill says. "Luke gave our team the physical and mental toughness needed to take third place last year. He was also a big part of the state championships his junior and sophomore years."
The good news for coach Hill is that Jordan Lenz, the two-time 2A State Player of the Year, is back for his senior season at shooting guard. He'll be joined by senior point guard Max Palmer and senior forward A.J. Hill. All three players earned All-Nuclear honors a year ago, while Palmer joined Lenz on the 2A All-State team. That returning nucleus gives the Huskies a head start on other Nuclear teams.
"Our defense was good last year, and we look to improve on that more this year," Hill says. "We pushed the ball well at times last year, as well, and we hope to do more of that."
Firth was the closest challenger to North Fremont a year ago, and look like the second best squad once again this year. The Cougars went 15-10 a year ago, and were upset by New Plymouth in a state tournament play-in game. Senior Austin Jacobsen and junior Kyle Jacobsen will anchor the backcourt for Firth, while senior Athan Blonquist might be the best interior player in the league.
Ririe went just 1-20 a year ago, but many coaches in the league believe that the Bulldogs are primed for a big step forward in 2021-22. Seniors Landon Johnson and Chris Kern have been labeled as players to watch from opposing coaches.
Salmon went 9-11 last season, but lost seniors Blazen Burgess, Caden Caywood and Dillon Pilkerton to graduation. Senior Colton Kirby, an All-Conference selection last year, will lead the Savages this season.
West Jefferson went 10-13, but said goodbye to Jaden Burtenshaw and Kyson Gabrish. The Panthers will also be breaking in a new head coach, former Mackay head coach Kelvin Krosch.