Players to Watch:
Brianne Bailey, South Fremont
Lily Christensen, South Fremont
Nika Nead, Sugar-Salem
Andee Petterson, Sugar-Salem
Abigail Barkdull, Teton
Kadence Hansen, Teton
Written by: Marlowe Hereford
The classification might be different, but the Mountain Rivers Conference will remain as competitive as ever for the 2024-25 season.
For the first time in the existence of their schools, the three MRC members will compete in 4A.
Teton played in two of the last three 3A state title games, placing second to repeat state champion Snake River last season. Third-year head coach Patrick Hogan described this year's team as 'very undersized,' but athletic and fast.
"Teton will play a very up-tempo style game," Hogan said. "This group is at its best when they are on the verge of out of control. I think our strength defensively will be our ability to have a high level of pressure on the ball and disrupt opposing team offenses because we are more athletic."
Teton graduated five from last season's state runner-up and district champion team which went 24-2 overall. Hogan said one of the priorities is finding someone to 'take charge of the post position and earn it.'
"We might start four guards and a forward and not have a true post," Hogan said. "Defensive rebounding is going to be an area we need to improve on with this group."
The motivation to build on last season's success is also apparent.
"The girls are very hungry and want to prove they can be successful without key players lost from last year's team," Hogan said. "They all want to contribute and have to learn how to play as a team and under control. A few of the girls have put in a lot of time this offseason. I am excited to see how their hard work pays off."
In addition to Abigail Barkdull, a senior guard/forward from his own team Hogan anticipates will average double-digit scoring per game, he said senior Brianne Bailey from South Fremont and sophomore Andee Petterson from Sugar-Salem are players to watch in the MRC. Last season's All-Conference Player of the Year, Bailey won four medals at the 3A state track championships in May, including winning triple jump and 300 hurdles.
"Brianne is an amazing player," Hogan said. "She has the ability to take over any game when she wants to. She is going to be very difficult to stop."
Petterson made first team all-conference last season as a freshman for Sugar-Salem, which fell to South Fremont in a district tournament elimination game.
"Andee is a great guard," Hogan said. "She is a great passer and controls the game for Sugar."
Hogan said Teton might be overlooked due to losing four of last season's starters, but to not count out the Timberwolves.
"We are very athletic and could make some waves in January and February," he said.
As was true in 3A, Hogan said he anticipates all three teams having a legitimate chance of winning the district championship in 4A and he expects whichever team(s) qualify for the state tournament to make a deep run for championship Saturday. The MRC tends to also be ranked consistently in the statewide media poll.
"I think the two teams that make it to state from District 6 have a really good chance of playing for a state championship," Hogan said.
South Fremont begins it season Friday at American Falls, Teton begins its season Tuesday with a home game versus back-to-back 4A state champion Snake River in a rematch of last season's 3A state championship game and Sugar-Salem begins the season Tuesday at Ririe.