PLAYERS TO WATCH

Ella Martin, Genesis Prep
Martina Rivera, Lakeside
Kyleigh Wolfe, Lakeside
Tia Hendrick, Wallace
Britany Phillips, Wallace
Kylee Phillips, Wallace

Written by: Brandon Baney

Last year’s race to the top of the Scenic Idaho Conference was razor-thin, as Wallace (14-7) and Lakeside (13-8) each pushed one another all season.

After splitting their regular season showdowns, the Miners finally got the upper hand in the district championship game with a 65-39 win over the Knights, sending Wallace to the state tournament for the second consecutive season.

Wallace did all of this with no seniors, which is reason enough to pick the Miners to repeat as conference champs again. “I am excited to see our growth from last year to this year,” says seventh-year Wallace coach Nichole Farkas. “I think our post presence could be a factor. We also have a great group of freshmen that will be healthy for our program and could perhaps see some varsity minutes.”

Senior guard Britany Phillips is back after winning conference MVP honors a season ago. Her younger sisters, junior post Bethany Phililps, and sophomore guard Kylee Phillips, also return, although Kylee is still making her way back from spring ACL surgery. “I’m crossing my fingers that injuries won’t plague us,” says Farkas. “The loss of one player can be a lot at small schools that don’t have as much depth. I’m hoping she can make a return at some point or that others can step up in her absence.”

The ideal lineup features the Philips joined in the starting five by senior post Tia Hendrick, an All-Conference selection a year ago, and senior guard Iliana Lewis. Junior post Kayla Hasz and sophomore guard Aubrey Birdsell will also compete for playing time this season.

“Britany Phillips is a key player who can drive and shoot the three,” says Farkas. “Her talent is impressive. That said, we have to be strong with the ball this year, have an attack mindset, and have more of a post presence.”

Operating in the post could be easier this season, as Lakeside’s Arianna Havier-Gorr has finally graduated. The smooth-operating forward was a double-double machine for the Knights all four years of her high school career, and her departure leaves a void.

However, the cupboard isn’t completely bare for veteran coach Chris Dorhman. Last year’s varsity roster featured five freshmen, including standouts Kimberly Pluff, Tylah Lambert and Kyleigh Wolfe. Wolfe is a returning All-Conference performer, and so is senior Martina Rivera.

Genesis Prep is the biggest wild card in the Scenic Idaho Conference. The Jaguars lost only one senior (Miyah Anderson) to graduation, but the Jaguars are breaking in a new head coach. Junior Ella Martin is the lone returning All-Conference performer for G-Prep, but coach Farkas says, “They are always improving.”