PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Quinn Palan, Camas County
Clancy Rablin, Camas County
Stockton Sears, Carey
Carter Olsen, Carey
Riggin Keetch, Castleford
Connor Parish, Castleford
Chase Norman, Dietrich
Greyson Denney, Hansen
Benny Reichel, Hansen
Tayson Telford, Richfield
Written by: Dallin Fryar
After not producing a state champion since 2016, the 1A Sawtooth Conference has produced the state champion in back-to-back seasons. Last season’s champs, Dietrich, absolutely ran away from the rest of the conference last season, and powered their way to a state championship. Will the Sawtooth Conference provide yet another champion in 2025-26?
DIETRICH
It only took three seasons for Slade Dill to win his first state championship as head coach at Dietrich.
They did so in dominating fashion, going undefeated in conference play and throttling Challis for the Blue Devils' first state championship since 2016.
This season, however, the roster looks a lot different. The Blue Devils will need to replace seven players who graduated, a group that included three 1st Team All-Conference selections, along with Offensive Player of the Year Connor Perkins.
The only returning player who received honors from last year’s squad is 2nd Team All-Conference selection Chase Norman. So it will be a young squad with big shoes to fill this season that may need some time to mold its identity.
CAREY
A strong regular season did not end the way Carey had hoped, with back-to-back losses in the district tournament preventing them from chasing a state championship.
The Panthers will have to replace the Sawtooth Conference Player of the Year, Preston Wood, who was not only the team’s leading scorer but their leading rebounder as well.
1st Team All-Conference senior guard Stockton Sears and 2nd Team All-Conference junior guard Carter Olsen will be responsible for filling the leadership void left by Wood.
A not so new face will move over one seat on the bench. After 22 years as an assistant, Danny Simpson will now take the reins as head coach of the Panthers. He will look to build on what last year’s squad started, and wants to make defense the strength of his 2025-26 team.
Of his offense, he said, “I am most excited about being able to move the ball quickly, as most of our players are fast and can run. Overall basketball knowledge of the team is good, so hoping to run some different schemes to make the game fun.”
Surely the returners have a bitter taste in their mouth from the way last season ended, so if they are able to take that and run with it, they will once again be a favorite in the conference.
CAMAS COUNTY
A late season Cinderella run was put to a halt in the state play-in game for Camas County. After upsetting Carey 53-50 to secure the last half spot in their district, the Mushers could not get past Garden Valley, which denied them the opportunity to defend their state championship they won in 2023-24.
This year’s squad will welcome back the talents of the Sawtooth Conference Defensive Player of the Year Clancy Rablin for his senior season. He was also the team’s leading scorer, and head coach Brad Tingey is excited to see where he takes his game this season.
Of his offense, Coach Tingey said, “We have a good inside-out game with Clancy and junior Quinn Palan. We should be able to rebound and run more than last year.”
Even with Rablin and Palan returning from last year’s squad, the Mushers will still need to mold a few newcomers into this year’s team. Coach Tingey said, “Our young players will need to find roles and ways to contribute. We are not very deep.”
Cadden Hathaway and Aaden Stoltzman will be two of those players who will need to learn quickly to step into big roles for the Mushers.
RICHFIELD
The 2024-25 season was an up-and-down year for Richfield. However, they were able to gain a lot of experience after finishing 9-16. They are believed to be a potential surprise throughout the conference this season, and will surely be one to watch once conference play starts.
1st Team All-Conference selection Jace Fuchs graduated, and so the Tigers will be looking for someone to fill the shoes he left behind. Tayson Telford will be one to watch for the Tigers. There will also be several freshmen who could make an impact quickly for Richfield.
HANSEN
Hansen’s mindset heading into the 2025-26 season can be summed up in one word: hungry. Head coach Jesus Guerrero says it best when he was asked what he is most excited about for this year’s squad:
“This is a hungry group of guys ready to take the next step this year. I’m excited to see how they carry themselves on and off the court.”
Despite losing 2nd Team All-Conference selection Ricardo Gomez, Coach Guerrero has a lot to be excited about with his squad. Senior post Benny Reichel will step into Gomez’s leadership role, and junior wings Greyson Denny, Dan Gibson, and Junior Martinez will be new players to watch for the Huskies.
Offensively, the Huskies will need to improve on their shot selection and ball movement. They averaged only 44 points per game last season, but the varsity experience gained last year should help increase that average.
Defensively, Hansen allowed the most points per game in the conference, with 60, and they will need to improve their help-side defense and rebounding to see that number decrease.
CASTLEFORD
The 2024-25 season was a rough one for the Wolves, as they went 3-16 overall and 1-9 in conference play. Their only victory came against Hansen in late January. They also graduated 2nd Team
All-Conference selection Casey Juker.
Riggin Keetch and Conner Parish will be players to watch for the Wolves this season.