PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Caryss Barger, Grangeville
Addisyn Vanderwall, Grangeville
Dani Henrikson, Kellogg
Jordyn Stutzke, Kellogg
Ella Beardin, Orofino
McKinley Burgess-Duquette, Priest River
Aleigha Jensen, Priest River
Bailee Martin, St. Maries
Written by: Will Hoenike
Not too many people around the 3A Central Idaho League are going to feel sorry for the Grangeville Bulldogs. Yes, the Bulldogs have to replace two-time conference player of the year Madalyn Green after reaching the 3A semifinals last season.
However, the team returns a pair of first-team all-conference performers (Caryss Barger and Addisyn Vanderwall) this season, along with rising sophomore Autumn Long, who was second-team all-conference as a freshman.
But before you assume the road back to the 3A state tournament is free of obstructions, the conference’s other four teams would like a word. Kellogg returns a pair of all-conference guards and Priest River returns inside size and strength from last season’s 15-win team that reached the state play-in game.
GRANGEVILLE
How many 3A teams in Idaho have two college-level players on the court? Grangeville is one. Vanderwall has committed to the University of Providence, an NAIA school in Great Falls, MT. Barger has committed to Whitworth University in Spokane, an NCAA Division III institution.
“Caryss and Addi are great defenders, and together they are ruthless,” said Bulldogs’ head coach Michelle Barger. “We are a team that likes to play defense, and a lot of times it generates so much of our offense.”
Grangeville has won the past nine CIL titles, and the Barger/Vanderwall tandem gives the Bulldogs a head start towards number ten. Factor in Long, senior Isla Wilkinson, and freshman Haidyn Wolter, and there’s ample reason for excitement.
“I’m really excited about our team and defending our district title,” Barger said. “We want to continue where we left off.”
PRIEST RIVER
One of the league foes hoping to derail Grangeville’s path back to the 3A state tournament is the Spartans. Head coach Tyler Douglas returns a strong frontcourt but will be breaking in new guards following the graduation of Lizzie McCracken and Desi Humphrey.
“How fast can they learn and adapt to a varsity level of basketball?” Douglas asked. “We don’t have a lot of time, so we have to learn on the fly.”
Freshman Hailey Rice will figure into the revamped Spartan backcourt. She’ll look to get the ball to senior forward Aleigha Jensen and sophomore center McKinley Burgess-Duquette.
“We have a really young group,” Douglas said. “I’m excited to see the improvement from the beginning of the year to the end.”
KELLOGG
The Wildcats return a pair of players who earned second-team All-League honors last season – senior Dani Henrikson and junior Jordyn Stutzke – but it’s who head coach Jana Nearing has around those two that has caught some people’s attention.
Henrikson is the only senior and Stutzke is the only junior on the Kellogg roster, a roster that features six sophomores and a freshman. In fact, the freshman (Gretah Angle) led the team in scoring in its first two games, followed by Henrikson, and then sophomore Peyton Storey. It’s a young, talented group that should grow and develop as the season progresses.
OROFINO
The Maniacs will be looking to replace forwards Livia Johnson and Rilee Diffin, the latter being selected first-team all-conference by the league’s coaches last season. Senior post player Kaitlyn Curtis provides an inside presence for Orofino, while junior wing Ella Beardin brings some outside range to the offensive attack. Sophomore Alina Paul will see time in the Orofino backcourt and newcomer Miah McHaffie could earn a big role as the season continues for head coach Dave Olive.
ST. MARIES
Tami Holdahl’s team is coming off a three-win campaign but will look to improve behind a roster that includes senior guard Bailee Martin and newcomer Daisy Williams. The tandem combined to score 24 of the team’s 25 points in its first game in November. Building on that performance from Martin and Williams will be critical as the team seeks additional playmakers to complement that duo as the season continues.