PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Lawson Landmark, Kamiah
Everett Oatman, Kamiah
Ralli Roetciscoender, Kendrick
Nathan Tweit, Kendrick
Vincent Kipp, Lapwai
Jereese McCormack, Lapwai
Nate Monjure, Logos
Cormac Rench, Logos
Chase Lovell, Potlatch
Jameson Morris, Potlatch
Nate Forsmann, Prairie
Riley Shears, Prairie
Wade Moser, Troy
Rowan Tyler, Troy
Written by: Brandon Baney
Last year’s 2A Whitepine League race was an absolute slugfest a season ago, as Kamiah, Kendrick and Logos all took their shots at one another throughout the year. The Kubs eventually emerged with an 11-1 record and regular season title, but Kendrick actually got the last laugh. After falling to Kamiah twice in the regular season by scores of 60-53 and 65-58, the Tigers defeated the Kubs in the district championship game 52-46, and in the 2A state championship game, 66-49. Logos, meanwhile, just missed out on state with a loss to Kamiah in the district’s third place game.
That trio of teams will be in the mix for Whitepine supremacy once again this season, but there are no shortage of contenders. Potlatch and Lapwai ruled this league just two years ago, and both are focused on finishing in the top third of the standings after down years in 2024-25. Prairie and Troy are also teeming with athletes ready to make an impact.
KAMIAH
Kamiah is adjusting to life without David Kludt, the silky-smooth 6-foot-6 forward. Kludt started all four years of his Kamiah career, and is now a member of the College of Idaho’s basketball team in Caldwell.
Also gone from last year’s team are starting point guard Jaydon Crowe, and shooting guard/three-point sniper Matthew Oatman.
But the cupboard isn’t totally bare for head coach Aaron Skinner. Senior guard Everett Oatman is a returning starter from last year’s state runner-up squad. He’s joined in the backcourt by juniors Lawson Landmark, Todd Roberts and Logan Keen.
Up front, 6-foot-4 senior Dillon Lockart, 6-foot-2 junior Sawyer Wimer, and 6-foot junior Rylan Skinner will be asked to handle the rebounding load in the absence of Kludt.
Coach Skinner’s Kamiah teams always play tenacious defense, and a disciplined offense that doesn’t settle for shots, but strives for the best look on every possession. With Kludt, Crowe and Matthew Oatman all gone, new playmakers will have to emerge for Kamiah to qualify for state once again in a tough and loaded Whitepine League.
LOGOS
After finishing in second place during the regular season, the Knights just missed out on state by finishing third at the district tournament.
Then, eight seniors departed (along with head coach Nate Wilson). Among the losses: leading scorer Seamus Wilson, and top rebounder Lucius Comis.
New coach Dean Brunson is ready for the new challenge, though. Junior guard Nate Monjure has been singled out by several opposing coaches as a player primed to make a leap in 2025-26. He’ll be joined in the backcourt by sophomore point guard Cormac Rench. Other sophomores expected to contribute for Logos this year include Max Grauke and Henry Driskill.
Junior Canaan Unger starts at forward, while 6-foot-5 senior Titus Jankovic brings impressive size at center.
Bolstering the Logos attack from the bench are names familiar to football fans: seniors Ace Grieser and Gideon Haney, along with sophomore Zane Holloway. All three started for the Knights’ state runner-up football team this fall.
KENDRICK
Speaking of Whitepine League football teams, no team has been more dominant than Kendrick over the past five years. That dominance has often extended to the basketball court, where last year the Tigers triple-dipped with championships in football, basketball and baseball.
Four starters return from last year’s state championship team, as only starting center Wyatt Cook (along with backup center Brock Boyer) left via graduation.
“We will miss Wyatt and Brock’s leadership and work ethic,” says coach Steve Kirkland. “Both were extremely mature players that worked hard in games and practice. They especially helped create a good practice environment with their steadiness and consistency.”
Expected to slide into the vacated roles down low are a pair of seniors: Nathan Tweit and Kolt Koepp. Koepp played sparingly as a junior last season, while Tweit missed the entire season because of a knee injury. Tweit most likely would have been a starter on last year’s team.
“We think Nathan will give us a boost in a number of ways, including scoring, rebounding, passing and defense,” says coach Kirkland. “We also have some guys that can shoot pretty well so we’ll need to find ways to get them good looks.”
Coach Kirkland may be underselling how good Kendrick’s shooters are. Seniors Ralli Roetcisoender and Cade Silflow can get hot in a hurry from the perimieter, and sophomore point guard Hudson Kirkland is a strong facilitator offensively. Although undersized, junior guard Maddox Kirkland does the dirty work inside, like collecting rebounds and contesting shots on defense.
“I think much of our success will depend on our older players’ approach to practice,” says coach Kirkland. “Basketball season can be long and there will be days where motivation is low. We want to have a business-like approach every day and work hard, regardless of how we feel in the moment. If we can have the maturity to do that, that will help us have a good seasaon.”
LAPWAI
It wasn’t too long ago that Lapwai enjoyed the spot Kendrick currently occupies: state champion, in addition to Whitepine League winner. Veteran coach Zach Eastman’s team took a small step back last season, but returns five players who appeared in every game last season, which is a good place to start.
6-foot-2 senior forward Vincent Kipp averaged better than 14 points per game a year ago, and is joined by fellow senior, 5-foot-11 guard Triston Konen.
Three juniors (6-foot-2 forward Jareese McCormack, and 6-foot-1 guards Douglas Pappan and Jared Marek Jr.) will also play critical roles for Lapwai this season.
Of course, Lapwai will use the entire bench most nights as part of their push-the-pace, up-tempo strategy. Key reserves this year include junior guard Chase Brown, 6-foot-3 junior center Albert Penney, and 6-foot sophomore Robert Parrish Jr.
Also keep an eye on freshmen Ryker Samuels, Katrell Samuels and Stetson Baptiste as Lapwai attempts to return to state after a one-year hiatus.
PRAIRIE
When we asked each Whitepine coach to identify a sleeper team this season, the answer was nearly unanimous: most coaches believe the Prairie Pirates are poised to take the league by storm in 2025-26.
You don’t have to squint too hard to see why: nine of the ten players on this year’s varsity team are seniors, including three starters that check in at 6-foot-5 (posts Patrick Schlader and Nate Forsmann, and wing Riley Shears). That trio is joined in the starting lineup by steady senior guards Phil Schwartz and Levi Gehring.
More athleticism and size awaits on the bench, which features 6-foot-1 senior Max Rehder, 5-foot-10 senior Chase VonBargen, and the lone junior on this year’s team, 5-foot-8 Kade Quintal.
POTLATCH
Two seasons ago, the Potlatch Loggers qualified for the state tournament. The final remnants of that team are still in place for tenth-year coach Ryan Ball, as he attempts to steer the Loggers back to Idaho’s biggest basketball stage.
Senior guards Chase Lovell and Jameson Morris will key the Potlatch attack this year, and they will have to try and replace the production of Chase’s older brother, Everett Lovell, who graduated. “Everett was our leading scorer, rebounder, and our best defender,” says Ball. “We are not a real big team this year, but we have some capable shooters especially in Chase and Jameson, so we will spread teams out and try to take advantage of our shooting abilities.”
With a smaller lineup this season, the return of 6-foot-2 senior forward Brayden Brown is a welcome sight. Brown has missed the past two seasons due to injury. “We are going to be small, so we are going to have to mix up our defenses, which we haven’t done much in the past,” says Ball. “But having Brayden return should definitely help us out on that end of the floor, as he is a very good defender.”
TROY
The Trojans said goodbye to their starting backcourt of Dom Holden and Makhi Durrett, and if coach Mitchell Sandquist can find steady replacements, Troy could be in line for a move up the Whitepine ladder in 2025-26. “Dom was our point guard and will be missed because he was our lead scorer and ball-handler,” says Sandquist. “We will also miss Makhi’s defensive presence and impact.”
Senior Rowan Tyler, a starter from a year ago, will slide into the vacated point guard role this season. He’ll be joined by junior Jayden Mason in the backcourt. Seniors Wade Moser and Evan Kirkham will provide the Trojans a solid one-two punch in the frontcourt. “Rowan can get to the rim when needed and shoots the ball well,” says Sandquist. “And Evan has a great presence in the post and can finish around the rim.”
After a couple of seasons of struggles on the football field, Troy found some success this fall, and a lot of those same athletes will now try to reverse the Trojans’ fortunes on the basketball court, as well.
“I am excited about this team and how close-knit they are,” says Sandquist. “They are having fun and are excited to get into the season with each other. Our success will depend on how much everyone buys in as a team and comes to get better every day in practice.”