PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Georgie Jolley, Firth
Shelbie Perry, Firth
Peyton Lenz, North Fremont
Taylor Sessions, North Fremont
Eden Jensen, Ririe
McKall Marsh, Ririe
Abby Jackson, Salmon
Ashlynn Phillips, Salmon
Jessica Rigby, West Jefferson
AuBri Wright, West Jefferson
Written by: Marlowe Hereford
The former 2A District 6 Nuclear Conference became the 3A Nuclear Conference last season upon Idaho’s new classifications taking effect.
While the classification may have changed, the Nuclear Conference still had at least one team reach a state trophy game last season for the 19th time in 20 seasons.
The Nuclear Conference was mostly young last season, with 15 total seniors across five programs. Coaches agreed that another competitive season is in store this winter and are expecting big things from their returning varsity players.
RIRIE
The Bulldogs went 15-11 overall and 6-2 in league play last season, reaching the state tournament for the 12th time in 13 seasons. Additionally, Ririe won the district championship for the 10th time in 13 seasons.
The Bulldogs graduated three—Second Team All-Conference guard Shae Sutton, Second Team All-Conference guard Liza Boone and First Team All-Conference forward Brinley Taylor—from that team.
Returning for Ririe on varsity are senior point guard Lucy Boone, senior forward Hailey Robson, senior guard Lauren Robson (Honorable Mention All-Conference), senior center McKall Marsh (Honorable Mention All-Conference), and senior forward Niciah Young (Honorable Mention All-Conference). Additionally, Ririe adds junior guard Tristyn Gallup, junior guard Pressley Bybee and junior guard Eden Jensen (a transfer from American Falls) to varsity.
“Our seniors have been looking forward to this season and I am excited to see them perform,” head coach Jake Landon said. “They work well together and have a lot of fun playing basketball.”
Landon said this year’s Bulldogs will strive to be more consistent offensively with execution and have more flexibility on defense.
“This is going to be a good shooting team,” Landon said. “We will be flexible on defense. We will play some man and some zone. We have athletes that can play with high pressure. We are not the biggest team, so we have to be physical. We have to be physical and rebound.”
Landon tabbed Firth as a team to watch in the conference this season.
“They have young talent that returned from last year,” Landon said. “They should take a step forward.
NORTH FREMONT
The Huskies went 14-15 overall last season and 5-3 versus league opponents. North Fremont reached the state tournament for the third time in four seasons, advancing to the consolation final before falling in overtime to New Plymouth.
The Huskies graduated Brooklyn Ingle and First Team All-Conference selection Grace Heiner from last year’s team, which was young. Nuclear Conference Player of the Year Taylor Sessions returns as a senior, as does First Team All-Conference selection Peyton Lenz.
FIRTH
The Cougars went 12-11 overall and 5-3 versus league opponents last season.
Firth graduated McKenna Erickson, Olivia Christensen and Kinzlee Faulker from that team, which otherwise consisted of sophomores and juniors. First Team All-Conference junior guard/forward Shelbie Perry and senior forward Georgie Jolley (Honorable Mention All-Conference) are among the returning varsity players for the Cougars, and they add freshman forward Daisha Sorensen to the roster.
Head coach Jana Sorensen described the Cougars as a quick team on offense that likes to get out on transition and aggressive on man to man defense, adding that they aim to be more aggressive on offensive rebounds and improve on full court pressure defense.
“Excited for all the returning players,” Coach Sorensen said. “We have a solid group of players that work hard and work together. Looking forward to making an impact in our conference.”
Sorensen said working together for ‘one common person’ will be the ‘X factor’ for Firth this season.
“Like any great program and season, the ability of our players and community to come together and work for one common purpose will be the key to our success,” Sorensen said. “Creating real buy in with each other, the system and the community and parents.”
She said she expects yet another competitive year in the Nuclear Conference, adding that West Jefferson is a team to watch with new coach Josh Zentner.
“West Jefferson got a new coach that has proven to be really successful at the other programs he has been a part of,” Sorensen said. “All the coaches in the Nuclear Conference have a lot of experience and good players coming back. I expect it to be a fun year full of good competition.”
WEST JEFFERSON
West Jefferson went 10-14 overall and 4-4 versus league opponents last season. The Panthers have a new coach this year in Josh Zentner, who comes to Terreton from Soda Springs most recently and Logan (Utah) before that.
West Jefferson graduated five players, including First Team All-Conference guard Maggie Barrientos, Second Team All-Conference guard Kayhl Campbell, Honorable Mention All-Conference guard/forward Zaylee Neville and Honorable Mention All-Conference forward Hailey Perkins. Second Team All-Conference junior forward Jessica Rigby and junior forward AuBri Wright are among the returning varsity athletes for the Panthers.
Zentner said he looks forward to the Panthers embracing their roles this season.
“I’m excited to see who is ready to step up to a bigger role,” Zentner said. “I’m excited to see the girls turn into leaders and see our chemistry continue to grow.”
He commended West Jefferson’s transition offense, the ability to get into different sets, communication and rebounding as strengths, adding that being able to finish games will be the ‘X factors’ this season.
“Win the turnover and rebound battle, and make it a close game with a chance to win with four minutes to go,” Zentner said.
SALMON
Salmon went 3-14 overall and 0-8 versus league opponents last season.
Abbigail Williams and Honorable Mention All-Conference selection Kyla James both graduated from that team.
New West Jefferson head coach Josh Zentner said both Firth with its returning varsity athletes and Salmon with its continued improvement are teams to watch within the league this season.
"Salmon just keeps getting better and better," Zentner said.