Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Butte County
2. Grace
3. Challis
Players to Watch
McKenzie Gamett, Butte County
Emilee Hansen, Butte County
Anna Knight, Butte County
Kiya McAffee, Butte County
Jacie Christensen, Grace
Sydnee Smith, Grace
Melodie Straatman, Grace
Tenleigh Walker, Grace
Tayia Baldwin, Challis
Ali Rembelski, Challis
Carley Strand, Challis
Sadie Taylor, Challis
Written by: Brandon Baney
A year ago, the Grace Grizzlies ruled the 1AD1 girls basketball landscape. A 21-3 record culminated with the third state championship in school history, as Grace defeated Prairie in the title game 46-37.
Four seniors departed from last year's championship squad, including the 1AD2 State Tournament MVP Maniah Clegg. That has left the door cracked just enough for coaches to pick Butte County to unseat the Grizzlies in the conference this year.
Butte County went 18-6 a year ago. Four of those six losses came to Grace (twice in the regular season, twice at districts). Because they played in a one-bid league last year, Butte County sat home during state despite the impressive resume.
Head coach Carla Hansen admits that her team simply ran out of gas at times last year. In order to topple Grace this year, she says, " At times we struggled to finish. I think better conditioning and maturity will be the answer this year."
Another answer for the Pirates could be a strong core featuring six seniors. Five of the six are returning starters from a year ago, and all five earned All-Conference honors. Kiya McAffee, Emilee Hansen and McKenzie Gamett will play in the backcourt as guards, Madi Kniffin will play a hybrid guard-post role, and Anna Knight will hold down the fort inside.
Added to that mix is another senior: transfer Syvannah Bird. " Syvannah Bird joined us this summer. She was formerly from Alaska," Hansen says. "She brings with her basketball skills, quickness, and a great attitude. In her Junior year she earned the honor of 2020 All Tourney for Southeast Alaska Region 5 2A."
District 5-6 will once again be a one-bid league when it comes to the state tournament, which means the battles between Butte County and Grace will be appointment viewing.
Despite losing four seniors to graduation, the cupboard isn't completely bare for the defending champion Grizzlies. Junior Tenleigh Walker, and sophomores Jacie Christensen, Melodie Straatman and Sydnee Smith, all saw playing time a year ago. If these young cubs can continue to develop, the Grizzlies should be in prime position to win the league once again.
Challis went 4-10 a year ago, and will continue to try and build momentum in 2021-22. Fourth-year head coach Kari Smith has four talented juniors to build around: guards Ali Rembelski and Carley Strand, and forwards Sadie Taylor and Tayia Baldwin. "We are in the building process and we are looking forward to both matchups in our conference this year (Butte County and Grace) to see our growth and improvement from last year," Smith says.
Taylor's Crossing will be competing at the JV level only in 2021-22.