State boys basketball qualifiers at a glance
Class 5A
Borah Lions
(defending champ)
Record: 16-7
State seed: District III third place
Coach: Cary Cada, 20th season
Players to watch: G Isaiah Wright, sr.; G Nick Reed, sr.; G DeAndre Jones, so.
Notes: The two-time defending state champions lost to Capital in the district semifinals, ending a 10-game winning streak. … Wright missed 10 games with a broken right wrist and returned to the team Jan. 31. … Reed and Wright, the reigning Gatorade Player of the Year and a Utah signee, are the only returning starters from last year’s team.
Capital Eagles
Record: 23-0
State seed: District III champ
Coach: Paul Rush, fourth season
Players to watch: PG Derrick White, jr.; F Tarik Littlejohn, jr.; G Hunter Young, sr.; G Keegan Hansen, jr.; G Nicholas Dow, sr.
Notes: Balanced scoring and a deep bench have helped the Eagles complete their first unbeaten regular season since 1977-78. … As good as the Eagles are on offense (60.5 ppg), they may be even better defensively, holding opponents to an average of 42.6 points per game. … Hunter Young has committed to NCAA Division II Fort Lewis College.
Highland Rams
Record: 19-4
State seed: District V-VI champ
Coach: Chris Frost, 24th year
Players to watch: G Stefan Gonzalez, jr.,; F Connor Harding, so.
Notes: Highland enters its third consecutive state tournament on a 10-game winning streak with an average margin of victory of 17 points per game. ... Stefan Gonzalez, the lone returning starter from last season's third-place state tournament team, averaged 15.6 points in the Rams' three district tournament games. ... Connor Harding averaged 18.7 points per game in that same span.
Lake City Timberwolves
Record: 17-5
State seed: District I-II champ
Coach: Jim Winger, 15th season
Players to watch: PG Justin Pratt, sr., W/P Kyle Guice, sr., W J.J. Winger, sr.
Notes: Lake City won the District I-II title for the second-straight year ... Only lost three seniors off last year’s team that finished 0-2 at state.
Post Falls Trojans
Record: 15-8
State seed: District I-II runner-up
Coach: Mike McLean, seventh season
Players to watch: P Corey Koski, sr., G, Nick Hall, sr., G Max McCullough, so.
Notes: Post Falls advances to state for the sixth-straight year .... Won the state title in 2010. ... Finished as runner-up in 2012. … Went two-and-out last year.
Rocky Mountain Grizzlies
Record: 17-6
State seed: District III runner-up
Coach: Dane Roy, third season
Players to watch: PG John Sherle, sr.; G E.J. Boyce, sr.; F Kekoa Nawahine, sr.
Notes: The Grizzlies qualified for state for the second consecutive season. … Capital needed a fourth-quarter rally to top Rocky Mountain 42-41 in the district championship game. … The Grizzlies, who finished second at state last season, are back to 100 percent after playing portions of the season without injured starters Jake Knight (ankle) and Logan Skurdal (foot).
Skyline Grizzlies
Record: 19-6
State seed: District V-VI runner-up
Coach: Clint Cornish, first year
Players to watch: F Zak Bennett, sr.; G Tyson Baker, jr.; F Jai Jai Ely, jr.; G Mason Baker, soph.
Notes: The Grizzlies earned their first state tournament appearance in 14 years the hard way, bouncing back from a first-round district tournament loss to Idaho Falls to win three games over the next six days before falling to Highland in the title game. … The Grizzlies thrived under interim head coach Clint Cornish, overcoming their lack of size with a fast-paced offense and an aggressive defense. Four Skyline players average double figures, led by Ely at 15.1 points and Mason Baker at 14.3.
Timberline Wolves
Record: 13-10
State seed: District III fourth place
Coach: Bruce Logsdon, first season
Players to watch: G Gibson Berryhill, jr.; F Bryce Gonser, jr.; G Isaiah Fisher, jr.; F Ben Salcines, jr.; F Andrew Briggs, sr.
Notes: The Wolves pulled off arguably the biggest upset of the District III tournament when they defeated Boise 55-51 in an elimination game for the final spot at state. … Logsdon has previously served as an assistant at Timberline but coached the past five seasons at Middleton High. … Timberline last qualified for state in 2012, finishing third.
Class 4A
Bishop Kelly Knights
Record: 17-6
State seed: District III champ
Coach: Larry Crump, 10th season
Players to watch: W Luke Meyers, sr.; P Ryan Matunas, sr. G Tyler Allumbaugh, jr.
Notes: Returns to state for the fifth time in the past six years. … Brings back four starters from last year's state tournament consolation champ, including first-team All-Idaho point guard Turner Simmons. … Senior post Spencer King has signed to play football at Air Force. … Meyers leads the team in points (13 per game) and rebounds (8 per game). … Won 9 of 10 entering the state tournament.
Bonneville Bees
Record: 20-2
State seed: District V-VI champ
Coach: Brian Broaddus, second year
Players to watch: F Jared Stutzman, sr.; G Schareek Davenport, jr., G Scott Simmons, sr., F Kohl Hostert, sr., G Tanner Smith, sr.
Notes: The Bees lost their first two games of the season at the Tournament of Champions in Illinois, but haven’t lost since, including 18 straight wins over Idaho teams. … Bonneville’s starting five accounts for nearly all of the team’s scoring, combining to score 52 of the team’s 62 points per game. … Senior Jared Stutzman, who has signed with the University of San Francisco, leads the team in scoring (22.3), rebounding (8.6) and 3-pointers (48). Junior point guard Schareek “Telly” Davenport, who hit the game-winning shot in the district title game, adds 16.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
Burley Bobcats
Record: 18-6
State seed: District IV runner-up
Coach: Jack Bagley, 12th season
Players to watch: F Brandon Hosteen, sr.; G Karsten Hinckley, sr.
Notes: Returning to state for the second year in a row. … Last year went two-and-out with losses to Skyview and Bishop Kelly. … Bagley coached Burley to back-to-back 4A state titles in 2007 and 2008. … Guard-oriented team, with its tallest player 6-foot-2. … In Burley’s state berth-clinching win over Jerome, Hosteen scored 25 points, including making 7 of 7 3-pointers.
Century Diamondbacks
Record: 14-10
State seed: District V-VI runner-up
Coach: Cody Shelley, 14th year
Players to watch: G Malek Harwell, jr.,; F Damon Leach, sr.
Notes: Ranked preseason No. 1. ... Suffered through a four-game losing streak midway through the season following an injury to junior guard Malek Harwell. ... Bounced back in the district tournament to beat Preston twice to claim the district's No. 2 bid in the state tournament. ... This is Century's fifth consecutive year in the state tournament. But the Diamondbacks have gone two-and-out in the previous four trips.
Moscow Bears
Record: 9-11
State seed: District I-II champ
Coach: Aaron Dail, first year
Players to watch: P Nick Ellison, sr.; G Adam Gresch, sr.; G Jack Akey, jr.
Notes: Despite losing several key players from last year’s state runner-up team, the Bears have rebounded nicely after a rough start to claim another spot in the state tournament. … Since returning from a foot injury that sidelined him for the first half of the season, senior post Nick Ellison has provided the Bears with a third reliable scoring option to go along with Jack Akey and Adam Gresch.
Nampa Bulldogs
Record: 20-4
State seed: District III third place
Coach: Tim Dranginis, second season
Players to watch: G JD Schutt, jr.; P Thomas Pannier, sr.; F Blaine Roberts, jr.;
Notes: Returns to the state tournament for the first time since 2001 and last won a state title in 1950. … Ranked third in final state media poll. … Won the 4A SIC regular season title before losing to Skyview in the district tournament and rallying for third place. ... Senior guard JD Schutt (15.7 ppg, 2.4 steals, 1.8 assists) leads a squad that tries to create fast-break opportunities out of its defense. But four other players average five or more points per game. … Dranginis won 331 games in 18 years coaching Notus.
Skyview Hawks
Record: 17-6
State seed: District III runner-up
Coach: Aaron Sanders, fifth season
Players to watch: G Austin Sharp, sr.; PG Holton Hyde, jr.; F Brayden Marshall, sr.
Notes: Qualified for its 10th-straight state tournament. It has earned a trophy in eight of its previous nine trips to state. … Started over with an all-new, guard-heavy starting five from last year's third-place winner. … Senior guard Austin Sharp (15.7 ppg, 3.2 steals, 39.3-percent 3-point shooter) can stretch defenses with his shot and drive to the hoop. … Holton Hyde (11.2 ppg, 2.9 assists) runs the point and provides another outside shooter. … Shooting 32.3 percent behind the 3-point line and averaging six made 3s a game.
Twin Falls Bruins
Record: 19-4
State seed: District IV champ
Coach: Matt Harr, 12th season
Players to watch: G Kade Meyerhoeffer, sr; G Alec Meyerhoeffer, sr; G Connor Meyerhoeffer, sr; C Casdon Jardine.
Notes: Finished second in the final state media poll. … Three of four losses came to 5A teams or teams with at least 18 wins. … Averaged 62 points a game while often playing bench reserves in fourth quarter during conference play. … Won 18 of 19 games by at least 10 points. … Each of the four players to watch scored at least 20 points in a game. … Harr has led the Bruins to the state tournament in nine of 12 seasons, winning two state championships (2006, 2010) and five third-place trophies.
Class 3A
Buhl Indians
Record: 22-1
Coach: Dan Winn, fourth year
State seed: District IV champ
Players to watch: G Hayden Eckert, soph; F, Kade Crossland, sr; G, Kasey Crossland, F, Michal Lively.
Notes: Ranked No. 1 in final state media poll. … The Indians only lose came to Filer on the road. … Kade Crossland scored 28 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to beat Filer in the District IV championship game. … Buhl lost to eventual state champion Snake River last year in the first round of state. It then lost to Sugar-Salem in the consolation championship.
Filer Wildcats
Record: 14-10
Coach: Allen Kelsey, fourth season
State seed: Play-in winner
Players to watch: G Logan Beard, sr; G Austin Beard, sr; F Kaleb Whitlock, sr.
Notes: After winning three of four district championships, the Wildcats beat Bonners Ferry in the play-in game to make its fifth state appearance in six years. … Filer came back from a 12-point deficit to beat Bonners Ferry by 10. …Gave Buhl its only loss of the season, a game in which Logan and Austin Beard combined for 35 points.
Homedale Trojans
Record: 20-2
State seed: District III champ
Coach: Casey Grove, second season
Players to watch: P Caleb Oviedo, sr.; F Lane Sale, sr.; G Dillon Lowder, jr.
Notes: Ranked No. 2 in final state media poll. … The Trojans are coming off their first district title since 1998 when they competed at the 2A level. … Sale set a school record for blocked shots with 84. … Homedale averages 60 points per game while holding opponents to 42.5. … The Trojans last qualified for state in 2010.
Kellogg Wildcats
Record: 13-7
State seed: District I champ
Coach: Jeff Lambert, fourth season
Players to watch: G Jesse Lambert, sr., F Heath Waechter, jr., G Gus Colburn, jr.
Notes: Kellogg hasn’t won a game at state since 2005, when the Wildcats won the consolation title ... Lambert led the Kellogg girls team to the title game in 2010, losing to Intermountain League rival Priest River.
Parma Panthers
Record: 11-12
State seed: District III runner-up
Coach: Kevin Sitts, fourth season (eighth overall)
Players to watch: G Tanner Kramer, so.; G Elijah Larson, jr.; P Trevor Nielsen, sr.
Notes: The Panthers are making their first appearance at state as a 3A school and last advanced in 2006 in the 2A classification. … Parma has never won a state title in boys basketball. … The Panthers won back-to-back loser-out games against Weiser and Fruitland to advance to state. … Six-foot-10 Nielsen gives the Panthers a significant advantage inside.
Shelley Russets
Record: 16-10
State seed: Play-in winner
Coach: Dave Hadley, 16th year
Players to watch: G Tyler Fredrickson, jr., G Bracken Nelson, jr., F Dalton Nelson, sr.; G Carter Cannon, jr.
Notes: The Russets have qualified for the 3A state tournament nine straight times, only missing out on state during the two years the school spent in 4A in 2011 and 2012. … Shelley played a tough nonconference schedule, with four losses to 5A teams and two losses to 4A teams. The Russets also beat 5A Idaho Falls and 4A Jerome (twice). … In addition to forming 2/5 of the starting lineup, Tyler Fredrickson and Keifer Higham are two of the top junior golfers in the state. … Shelley lost an overtime thriller to Snake River in last year’s state final, but beat the Panthers twice during the regular season this winter. … Fredrickson leads the Russets in scoring at 13.9 points per game, while adding 4.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists. Cannon is second in scoring at 8.4 points, while Nelson adds 7 points and a team-high 5.4 rebounds.
Snake River Panthers
(defending champ)
Record: 19-3
State seed: District V champ
Coach: Robert Coombs, 21st season
Players to watch: F Kade Keller, sr., F Curtis Keller, sr., G/F Brad Coombs, sr.
Notes: The defending state champs have won eight straight and are making their 10th straight trip to state. … Two of Snake River’s three losses this season came to Shelley, both a week apart in late January. The Panthers’ other loss was to 4A rival Blackfoot early in the season. … Senior Brad Coombs is the lone starter back from year's title squad, but seniors Kade Harral and Curtis Keller both contributed heavily in three wins at state in 2013. ... In its 22 games, Snake River has outscored opponents by an average of 14.2 points a game.
Sugar-Salem Diggers
Record: 16-7
State seed: District VI champ
Coach: Shawn Freeman, first year
Players to watch: C Tim Fuller, soph.; G Gunner Anderson, sr.; G Drake Cordon, sr.; G Cy Kidd, sr.;
Notes: Fuller, a 6-foot-8 sophomore, has been a force down low who has also shown the ability to step outside and hit a 3 from time to time. Fuller averaged a team-high 13.8 points per game. … The Diggers are making their fourth-straight trip to state and the fifth in the past six years. … Graduated all five starters and lost head coach Clyde Nelson from last year’s team, yet went undefeated in the district tournament.
Class 2A
Declo Hornets
Record: 18-5
State seed: District IV champ
Coach: Val Christensen, third season
Players to watch: F Kyle Heward, jr.; G Zac Mangum, sr.
Notes: Declo returns to state with back-to-back District IV titles. …The Hornets’ last state championship came in 2003. … Heward is averaging a double-double in points and rebounds. … The team features seven players from Declo’s back-to-back state champion football team.
Grangeville Bulldogs
(defending champ)
Record: 19-4
State seed: District I-II champ
Coach: Skip Hall, eighth year
Players to watch: G Josh Dame, sr.; G Quaid Blankenship, sr.; F Jasper Sabatino, sr.; G Michael Wilson, jr.; G Austin Parks, soph.
Notes: One year after bullying their way to a state title, the Grangeville Bulldogs are back and look just as stout on both ends of the court. Led by hard-nosed junior guard Michael Wilson, Grangeville employs a defense-first philosophy and takes pride in disrupting the offensive tempo of its opponents.
Firth Cougars
Record: 19-4
State seed: District VI champ
Coach: Scott Adams, 10th year
Players to watch: G Jordan Chapman, sr.; G Braydon Adams, jr.; F Zak Johnson, jr.; F Dallan Bingham, jr.; C Conner Burkhart, soph.
Notes: Firth won its eighth-straight district title last week and improved to 88-3 against conference opponents since the 2006-07 season. … The Cougars have lost in the third-place game the past two seasons. … Firth allowed just 39.8 points per game and gave up 50 or more just two times. … Bingham and Adams both average 10 points a game to lead the Cougars, while 6-5 sophomore Burkhart adds 9.8 points and 6 rebounds a game.
Melba Mustangs
Record: 15-8
State seed: District III champ
Coach: Bob Lenz, 16th season
Players to watch: G Nick Fitts, fresh.; G Nick Young, jr.
Notes: Suffered through a 4-19 season last year. But it returned four starters and added freshman Nick Fitts to rebound for its first trip to state since winning the '11 state title and its first district title since 2009. … The 5-4 Fitts sprained his shooting wrist in the district semifinals and missed the district championship. But Melba's leading scorer is expected to return for the state tournament.
North Fremont Huskies
Record: 12-13
State seed: District VI runner-up
Coach: Todd Jensen, second year
Players to watch: G Tagg Jeppesen, sr.; C Caden Hyde, sr.; G Shane Hill, jr.
Notes: The Huskies earned their first state tournament berth in the modern era with a 72-51 win over Salmon in the district tournament, and folks in Ashton are excited. Coach Todd Jensen polled his weights class Tuesday, trying to figure how many of the 24 students would be in class Friday. The answer? Only three, the other 21 would be heading to Boise. … Jeppesen is the leading scorer on a balanced team, averaging 10 points a game. Hyde, a 6-foot-3 center, adds 9 points and 7 rebounds per game, while Hill chips in 7.6 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game.
North Star Charter Huskies
Record: 14-8
State seed: District III runner-up
Coach: Travis Russell, first season
Players to watch: F Colton Buzzard, sr.; G/F Connor Drollinger, sr.; G Sam Ledesma, sr.
Notes: Qualified for its third-straight state tournament but has yet to win a first-round game in school history. … Balanced scoring with three players – Sam Ledesma (6.0 assists), Colton Buzzard and Connor Drollinger – all averaging 11 points per game. … The 6-4 Buzzard (8.0 rebounds, 1.5 blocks) gives the Huskies a potential mismatch with his inside-outside game. … Russell coached with the Idaho Stampede for 13 years.
Soda Springs Cardinals
Record: 15-8
State seed: District V champ
Coach: Greg Bergholm, 11th season
Players to watch: F Hunter Goodenough, sr., F Hunter Belnap, sr.
Notes: At one point this season, Soda Springs was 5-8 and had lost seven of its last nine. But the Cardinals finished on a 10-game winning streak. ... Soda has reached the state tournament for five straight years. ... The Cardinals have won the District 5 tournamenmt three of the past four years.
Wendell Trojans
Season record: 11-14
State seed: Play-in winner
Coach: Sam Kelsey, second season
Players to watch: G Logan Bowers, so.; G Alex Swainston, sr.; G/F Johnny Lancaster, so.
Notes: Eight of Wendell’s losses came to state tournament participants: two to Buhl, two to Filer, four to Declo. … The Trojans edged West Side and blew out Cole Valley Christian in successive crossover games to make it to state. … The key contributors were also part of the state semifinal football team. That includes Swainston, the quarterback of that team, who waffled about playing basketball initially but scored 43 points in those play-in games.
Class 1A Division I
Butte County Pirates
(defending champ)
Record: 22-1
State seed: District IV-V-VI champ
Coach: Steve Kent, second year
Players to watch: G Kyle Isham, sr.; G Radley Gamett, sr.; G Steve Kent, sr.
Notes: The defending champion Pirates had their 43-game winning streak snapped with a loss to Glenns Ferry during the regular season, but Butte County rebounded to beat the same team for the district title two weeks later. … Kyle Isham leads a balanced attack, averaging 12.2 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game. Radley Gamett is second at 10.5 points, and he leads the team with 5.2 assists per game. The Pirates average 14.6 steals per game.
Challis Vikings
Record: 17-7
State seed: Play-in winner
Coach: Jerrod Farr, first year
Players to watch: G Cole Trusnovec, sr.; F Brandon Hamilton, jr.; G Billy Sensabaugh, sr.
Notes: Teams will have to contend with Hamilton, a 6-4 post who averaged 13.4 points and 13.2 rebounds per game. … Hamilton gets plenty of help from Sensabaugh, a 6-1 guard who averaged a team-high 13.7 points per game while adding 7.4 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. Trusnovec is the team’s top 3-point shooter — he hit 37 of 140 attempts.
Genesee Bulldogs
Record: 17-7
State seed: Play-in winner
Coach: Jeff Boyd, fourth year
Players to watch: P Reggie Tilleman, sr.; W Beau Tilleman, jr.; W Ben Druffel, sr.; W Rhett Stout, jr.
Notes: Genesee enters the tournament after thumping Troy in a District II loser-out contest and outlasting Lakeside in a state play-in game. … Led by brothers Reggie and Beau Tilleman, Genesee prefers to run its offense inside-out and will hope that Connor Phillips, Rhett Stout or Ben Druffel can make some open looks.
Glenns Ferry Pilots
Season record: 15-9
State seed: District IV-V-VI runner-up
Coach: Nate Jones, fourth season
Players to watch: G Wes Arce, jr.; G Ruben Juarez, sr.; F Egan Bryant, sr.
Notes: Glenns Ferry returns to the state tournament after missing it last season. The Pilots were the 2012 champions. … It is responsible for the only loss for two teams in the tournament field, Butte County and Liberty Charter. … Bryant is tall post presence who is capable of big games that flip momentum in Glenns Ferry’s favor. Otherwise, the Pilots are largely guard-oriented.
Lapwai Wildcats
Record: 19-3
State seed: District II runner-up
Coach: Josh Leighton Jr., 16th year
Players to watch: G/F Nico Higheagle, sr.; G Kevin Tannehill, sr.; G O’Shae Perez, sr.; G Redsky Chimburas, sr.; F Tommy Williams, soph.; F Savion Henry, soph.; G Imani Mitchell, soph.
Notes: Lapwai is back in the state tournament following a one-year hiatus. Two years ago, Lapwai stormed all the way to the title game but surrendered a second-half lead to eventual champion Glenns Ferry. This time, Lapwai returns with just as much depth and more bigs than that run two years ago. … The Wildcats were 0-3 against Prairie and 19-0 against everybody else.
Liberty Charter Patriots
Record: 22-1
State seed: District III champ
Coach: Seth Stallcop, ninth year
Players to watch: P/W Levi Peiffer, jr.; P Liam Cilley, sr.; G Ryan Linford, sr.
Notes: Third-straight trip to state. … Lone loss came Jan. 7 at state-qualifier Glenns Ferry. Won 14 in a row since then, and its average margin of victory this season is 23.6 points. … Ranked third in final state media poll. … School's athletic program started 10 years ago. … Searching for its first title in school history.
Notus Pirates
Record: 11-10
State seed: District III runner-up
Coach: Craig Woods, first season
Players to watch: P Devin Krasowski, sr.,; PG Kobe Zimmerman, soph.
Notes: Back at state for the fourth year in a row. Returns two starters and five members from last year's consolation champ. … Features two dynamic scoring options in senior post Devin Krasowski (15.9 ppg, 78 percent free throw) and 6-1 sophomore point guard Kobe Zimmerman (10.3 ppg, 89 percent free throw). … Searching for its first state title in school history.
Prairie Pirates
Record: 21-1
State seed: District II champ
Coach: Teel Bruner, seventh year
Players to watch: G Rhett Schlader, jr.; G Jared Higgins, sr.; F Jake Bruner, soph.; F Tanner Ross, jr.; F Lucas Arnzen, jr.
Notes: Armed with a mix of guardplay and size, the one-loss Prairie Pirates are no doubt one of the favorites in this year’s tournament. Running with a rotation of athletic bigs that was by far the best in the Whitepine League, Prairie excels in both transition and in the halfcourt.
Class 1A Division II
Ambrose Archers
Record: 19-3
State seed: District III runner-up
Coach: Ken Hosier, ninth season
Players to watch: F Travis Yenor, so.; F Jackson Yenor, sr.; PG Jaxon Hughes, fr.; F/G Easton Boeck, so.
Notes: Ambrose is a Christian school in Meridian that became a full-fledged member of the IHSAA last school year. … The Archers are making their first appearance at the state tournament in school history. … Ambrose’s loses came against Cole Valley Christian, Liberty Charter and defending state champion Salmon River. … Travis Yenor is averaging 23.8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game.
Cascade Ramblers
Record: 15-9
State seed: Play-in winner
Coach: Conor Kennedy, sixth season
Players to watch: P TJ Hubbard, sr.; G Logan Crevelt, sr.; G Crosby Crevelt, sr.; G Zack Redmon, sr.
Notes: The Ramblers haven’t had a consistent starting lineup because of injuries, but Kennedy said the team has bonded over the adversity. … Cascade has a good balance of outside shooting and big players inside. … The Ramblers are back at state for the first time since 2011, when they played at the 1A Division I level.
Carey Panthers
Season record: 14-10
State seed: District IV runner-up
Coach: Dick Simpson, 13th season
Players to watch: G Nate Adamson, jr.; G/F Joe Parke, so.; G/F Matt Whitworth, jr.
Notes: Carey played a large stretch of the season without its best player, Adamson, because of illness. … The Panthers have one senior on the roster, Luis Garcia. … Carey is in the state tournament for the ninth-straight season. In the previous eight seasons, it has played for a trophy of some kind, including three straight championship appearances and one state title. … Carey is 1-4 against tournament teams, beating 1A Division I I Glenns Ferry but losing twice to Dietrich and defending 1A Division I champion Butte County.
Dietrich Blue Devils
Season record: 20-3
State seed: District IV champ
Coach: Wayne Dill, 13th season
Players to watch: G Vance Perron, sr.; F Jacob Dalton, sr.; G/F Trey Dill, jr.
Notes: Dietrich has not lost to a 1A opponent. Two of its three setbacks were to 2A tournament qualifier Declo, the third to 3A Gooding. … The Blue Devils have added defensive bite to a run-and-gun offensive style, also adding height in the 6-4 Dill, the coach’s son and the team’s best all-around player. … Dietrich boasts five wins over fellow tournament qualifiers: two over Carey and one each over Salmon River, Rockland and 1A Division I Glenns Ferry.
Kendrick Tigers
Record: 8-15
State seed: District II champ
Coach: Morgan LeBlanc, second year
Players to watch: G Morgan Kerby, sr.; G/F DJ White, sr.; P Braden Smith, soph.; F Wyatt Hardin, fr.
Notes: The Tigers entered the District II tournament with only six wins, but they got a pair of sensational performances from freshman Wyatt Hardin and sophomore Braden Smith and are back in the state tournament. … Last year, Kendrick took third at state after falling to fellow Whitepine League foe Nezperce in the semifinals. … Although they return only one starter from that team, the Tigers, who have guard Morgan Kerby back in the fold following a lengthy injury absence, appear to be peaking at the right time.
Rockland Bulldogs
Record: 14-8
State seed: District V-VI champ
Coach: Scott Lish, third season
Players to watch: F Rex Permann, jr., BJay Turley, jr.
Notes: The Bulldogs return to the state tournament for the first time since 2012, and they do it with one senior starter on the roster. ... Rockland entered its district tournament as the third seed, but upsets over second-seeded Mackay and top-seeded North Gem vaulted the Bulldogs to state.
Salmon River Savages
(defending champ)
Record: 20-2
State seed: District III champ
Coach: Charlie Shepherd, 11th season
Players to watch: F Leighton Vander Esch, sr.; G Jimmy Shepherd, jr.; P McCoy Hale, sr.; G Terrun Zolman, sr.; F Nolan Richerson, sr.
Notes: The Savages qualified for the state tournament for the fifth consecutive season and enter as the defending state champions. … Salmon River won both the 1A Division II football and basketball state titles last season and is trying to repeat the feat this school year. … Vander Esch was voted the 1A All-Idaho football player of the year this past season and also is the reigning 1A Division II player of the year in basketball.
Summit Academy Patriots
Record: 15-6
State seed: Play-in winner
Coach: Ron Frei, fourth year
Players to watch: G Michael Waters, sr.; G Matthew Schwartz, sr.; P Josh Lustig, jr.
Notes: The Patriots rely heavily on the duo of Michael Waters and Matthew Schwartz. Both are dynamic guards that can shoot from anywhere on the court. … Summit lost in the District II title game to Kendrick, but rebounded with a loser-out win over Nezperce and a state play-in win over Kootenai.