PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Grant Clemens, Coeur du Christ
Jerome Cools, Coeur du Christ
Riley Ausman, Kootenai
Dylan Gentry, Kootenai
Jayden Calvert, Mullan
Colten Imes, Mullan
Written by: Brandon Baney
For a first-year varsity basketball program, the Saints of Coeur du Christ Academy acclimated themselves well to the 1A North Star League. The Saints went 14-10 overall, and a perfect 4-0 against NSL foes Kootenai and Mullan on their way to a district championship in their first season ever.
But the story didn’t end there. The Saints dispatched Deary, 54-42, in a state tournament play-in game, to advance to the first state basketball tournament in school history. Once there, the Saints fell to eventual state champ Dietrich in the opening round, 69-56. Then came a wild loser-out affair with Cascade, a marathon that ultimately went to the Ramblers, 64-57 in double overtime.
Only one senior departed via graduation for the Saints, which means that Kootenai and Mullan will have their work cut out for them once again in 2025-26.
COEUR DU CHRIST
The Saints are welcoming in a new head coach in former Timberlake/Coeur d'Alene standout Austin Paulsen, who takes over for Chris Kiefer after just one season.
Coeur du Christ also lost the talents of Ben Connelly, who crossed the 40-point mark twice last season.
But make no mistake: this is still a strong, athletic team that is capable of scoring in bunches. The question is: can the Saints get enough stops defensively?
6-foot-3 senior Jerome Cools is a returning All-League player, and he’ll be joined by fellow seniors Aedan O’Neill (6-foot-2) and Greg Hayes (5-foot-11).
6-foot-2 sophomore Grant Clemens is CDCA’s other returning All-League performer, and after quarterbacking the Saints’ football team to the state quarterfinals this year, he is ready to continue the success on the hardwood.
Meanwhile, a pair of promising freshmen have earned playing time right away. 6-foot Anders Sundholm and 5-foot-8 Kamden Manuel will be critical components to CDCA’s success this year, especially if they can develop throughout the year.
KOOTENAI
Kootenai also has a new head coach this year, as Mary Gentry takes over for Tom Tucker on the Warriors’ bench.
She’ll lean on three seniors for experience: forwards James Myers, Josh Moore and Riley Ausman. Ausmann, in particular, has promise as a post, and he’ll be joined inside by sophomore center Dylan Gentry.
Juniors Aiden Braz and Brennen Derry are expected to start at guard, and freshman Cole Edwards could earn more playing time as the season progresses, as well.
MULLAN
Mullan makes it 3-for-3 in terms of teams welcoming in new head coaches. Dakota Dykes, who also serves as Mullan’s Athletic Director, takes over for Griff Rasmussen.
Dykes has identified 6-foot senior Colten Imes and 5-foot-11 junior Jayden Calvert as the leaders of this year’s team. Although better suited on the perimeter, both can step inside and play in the paint if needed.
Senior Drake Wilson is the only other upperclassmen on this year’s team, as Mullan will attempt to incorporate six sophomores into the varsity mix: Joe Clark, Cael Sala, Damian Bosson, Ashtyn Ullrich, Gabe Haas and Sawyer Puschert.