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All-Idaho prep basketball: Timberlake's Jessen named Player of the Year in 3A

| April 5, 2021 1:10 AM

Brooke Jessen, who led Timberlake High to its second straight state basketball title in February, was named 3A girls Player of the Year as the All-Idaho high school basketball teams were announced.

The Idaho Statesman newspaper of Boise announced the all-Idaho girls teams last week, and released the all-Idaho boys teams this week.

Jessen, a 5-foot-11 senior forward who has signed with Texas Rio Grande Valley in Edinburg, Texas, averaged 17.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists for the Tigers.

It was Jessen's fourth All-Idaho selection, and third on the first team.

“Brooke is an extremely versatile player. She can play any position on the court from 1 to 5,” Timberlake coach Matt Miller told The Statesman.

“As a post-up player, her footwork and use of both hands to attack were unstoppable," Priest River coach Gary Stewart said "If she catches the ball in the paint, it’s two points and probably an and-one. Add to that she’s a deadly 3-point shooter and a good ball handler.”

Jessen's teammate at Timberlake, Taryn Soumas, was named to the 3A girls first team.

Soumas, a 5-3 senior point guard and the 3A girls Player of the Year in 2020, averaged 12.5 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.8 steals. She has verbally committed to NAIA College of Idaho in Caldwell.

Timberlake's Matt Miller was named Coach of the Year.

Hailey Cheney of Kellogg was named to the 3A girls second team. Cheney, a 6-0 junior center, averaged 16.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Wildcats.

Three area players were named to the 5A girls second team — senior Brooklyn Rewers of Lake City, junior Skylar Burke of Coeur d'Alene and sophomore Madi Symons of Coeur d'Alene.

Rewers, a 6-4 center who has signed with Michigan State, averaged 17.7 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.8 blocks. Burke, a 5-8 guard, averaged 15.4 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.3 steals. Symons, a 6-foot forward, averaged 13.5 points, 11.3 rebounds and 4.6 assists.

Lake City sophomore Blake Buchanan was named to the 5A boys first team. Buchanan, a 6-9 center, averaged 11.4 points and 7.9 rebounds for the Timberwolves, and averaged 16.3 points per game at state.

Kolton Mitchell of Lake City and Caden McLean of Post Falls were named to the 5A boys second team. Mitchell, a 6-foot sophomore point guard, averaged 16.7 points and 3.2 assists. McLean, a 6-foot senior guard who has signed with NAIA Eastern Oregon in La Grande, averaged 12.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 steals.

St. Maries placed two players on the 2A boys first team — junior Tristan Gentry and senior Eli Gibson.

Gentry, a 6-6 forward, averaged 11.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.1 steals and 1.8 assists, and hit the game-wining free throws as the Lumberjacks won their first state title since 1960. Gibson, a 6-2 guard, averaged 10.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

Bryan Chase of St. Maries was named 2A boys Coach of the Year.

Lakeside senior Kenyon Spotted Horse was named to the 1A Division I boys first team. Spotted Horse, a 6-0 guard who was the 1A Division II Player of the Year last year, averaged 18.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 3.4 assists.

Lakeland senior Jalen Skalskiy was named to the 4A boys second team. Skalskiy, a 6-7 senior wing, averaged 15.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists.

The complete All-Idaho teams can be found at idahostatesman.com