Players to Watch:
Cambrie Hendrickson, Blackfoot
Addison Tanner, Blackfoot
Diana Peterson, Bonneville
Kaitlyn Nelson, Bonneville
Lexie Kesler, Hillcrest
Alexis Pickett, Hillcrest
Brynlee Riedle, Idaho Falls
Emma Vollmer, Idaho Falls
Mia Williams, Shelley
Kaylee Packer, Shelley
Macy Marlow, Skyline
Shay Shippen, Skyline
Written by: Marlowe Hereford
The new 5A District 6 teams move to 5A after a successful run in 4A in recent seasons.
A year after finishing as state runner-up, Shelley completed a perfect 25-0 season upon winning the 4A state title in February over conference foe Skyline. In 2022, it was Skyline which placed second in 4A. In 2021, Blackfoot won the 4A state title. And in 2020, it was Bonneville completing an undefeated season with the 4A blue trophy and banner.
Skyline, Bonneville, Idaho Falls and Hillcrest have all competed in 5A previously, but this newest classification move is new territory for Blackfoot and Shelley.
The Russets, who have not lost a game since the 2023 4A state title game versus Sandpoint, graduated Brinley Cannon (now at BYU) and Kaci Lang from last season and will not have the height they once had. Mia Williams, who was quite the 1-2 punch with Cannon last season, is one of two returning First Team All-conference players for the High Country Conference.
"We have some holes to fill as we are a much smaller team this year," Shelley head coach Jessica Carlson Jones said. "This will look like adding in more zone defense to protect the paint. We will also be focusing on adding intensity to our man defense."
Carlson Jones said the Russets can shoot proficiently from 3-point range and will play up-tempo offense.
"This group has less 'stars' than last year, but they have great chemistry and work well together," Jones said. "Every player is very good at their role, and we have a lot of kids that can shoot the ball extremely well."
Playing united will be a key to success this season for the Russets.
"If we can pull together and capitalize on that unified strength, we should be pretty competitive," Jones said.
Skyline graduated a talented senior class as well and, like Shelley, will not have the height on its roster from previous seasons. The Grizz return Shay Shippen, a Columbia commit and four-year varsity starter who played in two state championship games and is Skyline's all-time leader in assists, points and rebounds.
"She will create some nightmarish mismatches for opponents this upcoming season," Skyline head coach Ty Keck said. "Adding to our offense this year will be a big burst of pure speed. We will be looking to establish the pace and keep the pressure on opposing teams with our quickness and ability to move the ball."
Improving rebounding and executing in transition will be priorities for the Grizz to make up for the height differential.
"We will need to continue to improve our finishing at the basket as we won't have as much height as in previous years," Keck said. "Our transition game will be paramount to our chances to pressure teams on pace. We will have several lock-down defenders this year with lots of speed coming from every position."
Keck added that he looks forward to seeing his players rise to the occasion after reaching the state title game for the second time in three years last season.
"This is going to be one of the fastest, pure speed teams that we have ever had," Keck said. "Many of the younger players will have an excellent opportunity to grow into some important roles that were vacated."
Like Jones, Keck said Blackfoot is a team to watch. Returning for the Broncos is senior Addison Tanner, a second team all-conference selection last season.
"She has some amazing length and speed and that combo could poise her for a great senior season," Keck said. "(The Broncos) have some great talent coming back as well as a very disciplined system defensively that makes them a team you can never take lightly."
Height will certainly be noticeable when the Broncos take to the floor this season.
Blackfoot head coach Raimee Odum said she has three seniors who are taller than 6-feet: Cambrie Hendrickson, Sara Hone and Atalyn Tomazin.
"Our high-low action could be a strength of ours versus smaller lineups," Odum said. "We have a few very athletic and fast guards, which could change it up from our bigger lineup. We hope to be more dominant inside than we were the past season."
Odum said she also has three freshmen on the roster this season. The Broncos can play zone or man-to-man defense.
"They are girls that work hard no matter what with zero drama," Odum said. "I'm excited to try a few different offenses that will more likely fit our personnel this year."
Odum tabbed Shelley and Hillcrest as teams to watch this season in the conference. Hillcrest, which graduated first team all-conference player Quinleigh Kesler, has a new coach in Ryan Taylor. "(The Knights) have a new coach that knows the game very well," Odum said. "Shelley will continue to be tough, even without Brinley Cannon. They have an effective offense/defense that makes it difficult to on any opponent they play against."
Bonneville begins its season Friday with a home game versus Pocatello, Idaho Falls opens the season Friday at Canyon Ridge, Skyline plays Friday at Owyhee and Blackfoot plays Friday at Thunder Ridge. Hillcrest begins its season Tuesday with a home game versus Thunder Ridge and Shelley opens the season Thursday at Century.