PLAYERS TO WATCH
Devree Bell, Highland
Rian Pokibro, Highland
Nora Waddoups, Madison
Mia Walsh, Madison
Kambree Barber, Rigby
Kylie Dansie, Rigby
Mylee Graham, Rigby
Neveah Davenport, Thunder Ridge
Rylin Jackson, Thunder Ridge
Written by: Marlowe Hereford
The 5A District 5-6 High Country Conference had numerous accomplished seniors in the 2022-23 season who left an impression on their respective programs.
Thunder Ridge, which went 24-4 and advanced to the 5A state tournament for a third consecutive year, graduated seven, including conference player of the year and Titans leading scorer Aspen Caldwell (now at Idaho), twin sisters Kennedy Stenquist (now at College of Southern Idaho) and Carly Stenquist and Marley Spencer (now at Montana Western). Madison, which went 9-15 last season, graduated seven, including all conference players Charli Cook and Whitney McKenzie. Highland, which went 5-17, graduated three, including Megan Mickelson and all conference second team player Khalia Pongah.
Thunder Ridge head coach Jeremy Spencer said to not overlook his team this year, even with new faces to varsity. He anticipates that the Titans could have a different leading scorer for every game. Thunder Ridge does return sophomore guard Neveah Davenport, junior post Ava Lugo and junior guard Rylin Jackson and bring in sophomore guard Brodie Spencer, junior guard Kensey Peterson and senior forward Abby Benson.
"(We) graduated a big senior class, but our younger teams have had a ton of success," Spencer said. "They don't have much varsity experience, but they have heart. I don't have that one go-to kid. I've got a group of kids that all want to play hard and help the team win. When you have a collective group that plays hard and together, it should create tougher matchups for teams to defend."
He said improving 3-point shooting percentage is an objective for Thunder Ridge this season. Defensively, Spencer said the Titans will aim to improve on keeping teams out of the paint.
"This group is a mixture of man and zone, full court to half court," Spencer said. "I really like the IQ of the team to be able to jump in and out of alignments."
Spencer said defense will be the 'X factor' for the 2023-24 Titans.
"Teams that continue to compete for district championships and go to state all have one thing in common, tough defense," Spencer said. "We always talk about if we can keep teams in the 40s, we always have a chance to win a ball game."
The only team not quite in the situation of graduating much of its returning varsity players is defending district champion Rigby, which went 22-5 last season and won the 5A state consolation trophy. The Trojans return all conference players Kambree Barber, a senior guard who recently signed with BYU, senior guard Mylee Graham, senior guard Kylie Dansie and sophomore guard Kinzley Larsen. Rigby also adds sophomore forward Bailey Barber to the group.
"We have most everyone back with all that experience, so it should be fun to watch them play this year," Rigby coach Todd Barber said.
Spencer said Larsen is a young player to watch.
"She will be starting this year and looks to add to a solid freshman season," he said.
While graduation losses were significant, coach Barber said to keep an eye on Madison this season.
Meanwhile, Brooke Ward begins her first season as Highland head coach after five years as an assistant coach at Century. The Rams return senior power forward Rian Pokibro and bring in underclassmen Gracee Andersen (sophomore power forward/shooting guard), Daisy Agado (junior point guard), Devree Bell (sophomore point guard) and Emma Sondergaard (junior power forward) to varsity.
"Rian Pokibro brings varsity experience and works hard down low," Ward said. "We are a quick, versatile team with multiple ways to score the ball. Our guards will push the ball up the floor and are very comfortable going to the hoop and shooting the 3."
She added that Agado and Bell will fuel the defense for the Rams.
"We are going to pressure the ball and play a relentless man defense," she said.
She described Highland as a 'very young and exciting team' and said everyone's contributions will be key this season.
"Our 'X factor' will be the work we put in as a team," Ward said. "It will take each player's unique abilities and strengths to build a winning season."