PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Adrian Gonzalez, Century
Justus Mangum, Century
Hunter Cordell, Pocatello
Tavin Williams, Pocatello
Kasen Bryce, Preston
Trip Beckstead, Preston
Written by: Brandon Baney
After a three-year absence from the state tournament, Preston made sure its re-arrival in 2025 was a triumphant one. The Indians ripped through Jerome, Bonneville and Hillcrest en route to the state championship and a 25-1 overall season.
Preston lost a lot of talent from last year’s squad, but veteran coach Tyler Jones’ program has done a remarkable job of replenishing the coffers year in and year out.
Pocatello (15-10) and Century (12-11) also finished with winning records a year ago, but because District 5’s South East Idaho Conference only has three teams, only one bid to the state tournament has been available for the past several years. That is once again the case this season, which means all three squads better bring their “A-game” if they want to advance to state.
PRESTON
The Indians said goodbye to three impact starters: 5A Player of the Year Reggie Larsen, 1st Team All-State selection Cruz Harris, and 2nd Team All-Stater Jake Schumann.
Needless to say, 16th year head coach Tyler Jones is looking for new playmakers to emerge. “We return two starters and one other player with varsity experience from last year,” says Jones. “We like our squad, and we are long and athletic. But we need to gain some experience as we go and have everyone mesh and play together and learn their roles and hopefully, we can continue to improve as the season goes on.”
Senior guard Kasen Bryce and senior forwards Trip Beckstead and Parker Galloway are the aforementioned three players with varsity experience. Sophomore Wayd Bailey is expected to assume point guard duties, while 6-foot-2 senior post Koy Keller will be another important player underneath.
Preston is always a team that thrives on the sum being greater than its parts. Preston’s high-pressure defense allows easy transition opportunities on offense, and Jones says that’s the plan again this year.
“We always talk about defense and rebounding and that will be huge for us this year,” he says. “We need to continue to improve on the defensive end and be able to win the battle on the glass. Offensively, we want to play faster and in transition more. We feel like we have some speed and athleticism and want to use that to our advantage.”
POCATELLO
After winning the Class 5A state championship in 2024, the Thunder were shut out from defending their title after placing second at districts behind Preston in 2025. Pocatello first-year coach Kobi Gardea then had to watch Preston win the state title, which has only fueled everyone in this program throughout the offseason.
Gardea will rely on a quartet of strong senior players to lead the way. Tavin Williams, Hunter Cordell and Brody Michaelson are all strong, lengthy athletes, and all three earned All-Conference honors a year ago. A fourth All-Conference performer last year, senior Jordan Wilkinson, has transferred in from crosstown rival Century, giving Pocatello added insurance.
CENTURY
The Diamondbacks have been relegated to third-class status the past several years, as Pocatello and Preston have duked it out for the conference crown and lone bid to state. But don’t get my words twisted: the Diamondbacks are only third-class because of the league they play in. Century could be first-class in a lot of other conferences.
“Our league is so tough top to bottom,” says veteran head coach Ryan Frost. “All three teams will be good enough to make it to the state tournament, but only one gets the bid. Our district tournament will be a dog fight and whoever is playing the best basketball in February will end on top.”
The Diamondbacks bid farewell to guard Peja Weed, a microwave scorer a season ago who could get hot in a hurry. Also gone are forward/rim protector Deagan Crabtree and vocal leader Max Agres.
But overall, Century’s balanced scoring will once again carry the day. “Adrian Gonzalez and Justus Mangum will lead us on most nights, but we have a lot of kids who are capable of scoring double figures on any night,” says Frost. “Luke Webb, Deshawn Clark, Xen Fleischmann, Greyson Christensen and Parker McKenna could get ten-plus points on any night and it wouldn’t surprise me.”
While Century’s offense is already in midseason form, can the Diamondbacks get enough stops on the defensive end of the floor? That’s a question that Frost is eager to find out the answer to.
“Our physicality and athleticism should be fun to watch,” says Frost. “Playing elite defense will change us from a good team to a great team.”