PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Brayden Carrel, Lakeland
Peyton Hillman, Lakeland
Royce Fisher, Lewiston
Jordan Walker, Lewiston
Keaton Frei, Moscow
Jonas Mordhorst, Moscow
Derrick Chamberlain, Sandpoint
Logan Roos, Sandpoint
Written by: Brandon Baney
Lewiston enjoyed a breakout season in 2024-25, their first as a Class 5A school. Having moved down a level due to declining enrollment numbers, the Bengals finished 20-6 overall and won the 5A Inland Empire League title over Sandpoint.
Lewiston quickly went two-and-out at state with losses to Twin Falls and Columbia, but the foundation has been set. The Bengals enter 2025-26 optimistic that they will be able to defend their IEL crown and have a longer stay at the state tournament this time.
Sandpoint, after finishing 11-12 a year ago, has a “new” coach in Will Love. Love had previously been the Bulldogs’ girls basketball coach, and led Sandpoint to a girls championship in 2021.
Lakeland and Moscow will also factor into the league race this season after sub-.500 marks a year ago.
LEWISTON
Third-year head coach Brooks Malm brings all of his studs back to the stable in 2025-26. Seniors Jordan Walker and Royce Fisher, along with juniors Blaze Hepburn and Brady Rudolph are all high-flying guards that will once again lead the way.
“(We’re all about) pace, space and ball movement,” says Malm. “We averaged ten made three-point shots per game last year, and we shot at a 35% clip as a team.”
The biggest question will be how the Bengals handle things down low in the post. Junior Will Bobeck may be Lewiston’s most critical player. “We have to improve on offensive and defensive rebounding, along with interior scoring,” says Malm.
If the Bengals can add a little juice underneath, a repeat trip to state is in the cards. “This group of kids have played together for a really long time, and are in a position to accomplish something they’ve all been working for,” says Malm. “It’s a really fun group of kids and parents.”
SANDPOINT
Coach Will Love has long been known for his conceptual offense, which he first installed as the girls head coach at Sandpoint High. “It relies heavily on decision-making against the different defenses we will see (rather than running set plays),” says Love.
In order for a new offense under a new coaching staff to be glitch-free, you need lots of experienced returners that have played with each other. Sandpoint has that in spades, as seven key players from last year’s team returns.
“We have good height at all of the positions this year,” says Love. “Between Logan Roos (6-foot-9) and Kingston Corbett (6-foot-7), as well as Derrick Chamberlain (6-foot-5), Caiden Gion (6-foot-3) and Dallen Williams (6-foot-3), we should match up well with most teams, even when we go to our bench.”
“Most of our guards have good size, as well,” Love adds.
Senior Kingston Corbett is a true post, while seniors Logan Roos and Caiden Gion, along with junior Derrick Chamberlain, can play on the wing or down low if needed. Juniors Knox Williams, Brock Yarbrough and Logan Iverson will man the guard spots for Sandpoint.
“I’ve been really proud of the players for buying into the system we are implementing,” says Love. “We had a good summer and that has carried over into the start of the winter season. I believe this group has a high ceiling, and if they keep working hard and believing in themselves, it has the potential to be a successful season on and off the court.”
LAKELAND
As Lakeland coach Caleb De Fabiis enters his second season as Hawks coach, he’s hopeful that his program continues to take shape after an encouraging debut campaign. Point guard Mason Hensley and small forward Gabe Harris will have to be replaced, but senior shooting guard Peyton Hillman and senior center Brayden Carrel gives Lakeland a good one-two punch in 2025-26.
“Our offensive strengths come from a combination of inside and outside scoring,” says De Fabiis. “We will have a balance between a strong inside presence and shooters on the perimeter that gives us multiple ways to score and keeps the defense on their heels.”
Two newcomers that have De Fabiis excited on the offensive side of the ball are sophomore shooting guard Austin Hocking and junior small forward Wyatt Fuhriman. “Austin can score at all three levels, can shoot the ball at a high level and has a good feel for the game. He’s also the only player on the team who has put in consistent work this offseason, which makes him an exciting player to watch this year,” says De Fabiis. “Wyatt plays incredibly hard every single possession and does a lot of the little things that don’t always show up on the stat sheet. He’s about 6-foot-1 or 6-foot-2, but he plays like he’s 6-foot-8 with his effort and toughness.”
Although not quite 6-foot-8, the 6-foot-6 Carrel will team up with fellow 6-foot-6 post Jaron Yager to form a solid interior presence defensively. “Brayden and Jaron will be tough to score on in the paint,” says De Fabiis. “We also return our best on-ball defender, Jace Taylor, who can disrupt opposing guards and set the tone for our team defensively.”
MOSCOW
The Bears promoted assistant coach Mark Smith to the top spot following the departure of former coach Josh Uhrig. Also gone are ten seniors from last year’s team, including standouts like Tyson Izzo, Conner Isakson and Grant Abendroth, among others.
6-foot-3 senior Jonas Mordhorst is one of the few returning varsity players with experience, and his role as the Bears’ starting center will be crucial to Moscow’s chances of competing in the IEL this season.
Senior wing Abram Godrey and junior point guard Keaton Frei will also be important players for Moscow this season.