PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jalie Oreke, Challis
Reese Jardine, Butte County
Sarah Knight, Butte County
Tavie Rogers, Butte County
Jacie Christensen, Grace
Sydnee Smith, Grace
Melodie Straatman, Grace

Written by: Brandon Baney

As the old saying goes, “Competition only makes you stronger.” And don’t the girls’ basketball teams from Grace and Butte County know it. The two rivals have consistently pushed one another to be their absolute best, mostly because in the three-team High Desert Conference, it’s needed.

A three-team league almost never receives more than one state tournament bid under Idaho’s current system. Oftentimes, that means a really good team is stuck watching at home.

Grace and Butte County saw this exact scenario play out weeks ago on the volleyball court. The Grizzlies went 20-4, while the Pirates finished 17-3. Yet, only the Grizzlies had the chance to compete at state, and that opportunity only came after a three-match, 13-set marathon at the district tournament, where Grace defeated Butte County twice to earn the district title.

A similar tug-of-war has developed over the years in hoops. Butte County went 23-1 two years ago, leaving a talented 15-9 Grace team at home during state. The Grizzlies returned the favor last season, defeating the Pirates four times (twice in the regular season, twice at districts) to earn the league title.

After dropping an overtime thriller to eventual 1AD1 champ Oakley in the opening round at state, Grace rebounded with blowout wins over Lakeside and Liberty Charter to bring home the consolation trophy. Veteran coach Kyle Christensen returns several key cogs from that fifth-place squad, which is why the Grizzlies are favored in our Preseason Coaches’ Poll to repeat as District 5-6 champs.

Only two seniors departed from last year’s squad (Tenleigh Walker and Lindsay Rigby), while last year’s team featured a strong group of six juniors and a sophomore. Among the headliners is reigning High Desert Player of the Year Sydnee Smith, along with All-Conference selections Jacie Christensen, Melodie Straatman, Lydia Andersen and Karlie Christensen.

Will Butte County be able to close the gap in 2023-24? Second-year coach Richard Hansen has to feel encouraged by how competitive the Pirates’ volleyball team was this fall, as several of those athletes also don the Butte County uniforms in basketball.

Last year’s team featured one lone senior (Brynlie King). Otherwise, coach Hansen’s roster was comprised of seven juniors. 5-foot-11 center Tayvie Rogers is the only Butte County returnee with height, so her development will be critical against a tall, long, athletic, Grace lineup. Rogers is flanked by several outstanding shooters, though, including Sarah Knight, Reese Jardine, and Paige Williams.

Challis quietly has been improving the past few years as well. Jordan Oreke guided the Vikings to a 7-14 campaign in his debut season, and, much like the other teams in the league, last year’s team featured just one senior (Sadie Taylor). Jalie Oreke is a returning All-Conference performer, while junior post Callyn Zollinger will try to replicate Taylor’s success down low.

Ultimately, the dates to circle on the calendar in the High Desert Conference are December 21st and January 12th. That’s when Grace and Butte County are scheduled to tangle. How those contests go will help determine the shape of this year’s district race.