State high school girls basketball tournament capsules
CLASS 6A
BOISE BRAVE
Record: 21-3
State seed: #2, District 3 champ
Coach: Kim Brydges, 20th season
Players to watch: G/F Kaity Haan, sr.; G Avery Patricco, sr.; F Nya Pellant-Latham, so.
Notes: Enters on a 12-game winning streak. … Took third at state each of the past two years. … Qualified for state for the eighth straight year, the longest active streak in 6A, and has won a state trophy five years in a row. … Ranked No. 2 in the final state media poll. … Third-best offense in 6A (55.5 ppg), shooting 47% from the floor as a team. … 8-2 vs. 6A state qualifiers. … Haan (12.0 ppg, 9.9 rebounds, 2.1 blocks) and Patricco (11.7 ppg) serve as Boise’s top two scoring options, but six players average five or more points per game. … Three players committed to a college basketball program, including Haan (Cal State-San Marcos), Patricco (Pomona-Pitzer) and Morgan Montgomery (Whitman). … Won four straight district titles, a first in the SIC in 29 years. … Last reached the finals in 2022. … Won three state titles (2005, 2002, 1978).
BORAH LIONS
Record: 19-5
State seed: #4, District 3 third/fourth place
Coach: Ebony Norman, third season
Players to watch: G/F Kya Davis, so.; G Nakiyia Percell, so.; G Amayah Defares, sr.
Notes: Back at state after a two-year absence. … Second-best defense in 6A (38.2 ppg). … Ranked No. 4 in the final state media poll. … 3-4 vs. 6A state qualifiers. … Balanced lineup with five players averaging five or more points per game, including Davis (13.0 ppg, 6.2 rebounds), Percel (10.7 ppg, 5.6 rebounds) and Defares (7.1 ppg). … Last made the semifinals in 2018. … On the brink of its first 20-win season since 2005-06, when the Lions went 22-4 and won their last state trophy (third place). … Last reached the finals in 2005. … Won four state titles (2001, 1999, 1997, 1979).
CAPITAL EAGLES
Record: 13-13
State seed: #8; Play-in winner
Coach: Matthew Creech, third season
Players to watch: G Miriam Stafford, jr.; F McKenna Chavez, jr.; F Eden Francis, jr.; G Carrie Cutler, jr.
Notes: At state for the first time since 2018. … Season full of swings, starting the year 7-3, then went 2-8, before rallying to win four of its last six games. … 0-7 vs. 6A state qualifiers. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … Top four scorers are all juniors: Stafford (13.2 ppg), Chavez (9.3 ppg, 7.5 rebounds), Cutler (5.7 ppg, 3.0 assists) and Francis (5.7 ppg, 5.8 rebounds). … Chavez has committed to play softball at BYU and is the reigning 6A state shot put champ. … Last won a state tournament game and reached the semifinals in 2013. … Has not won a state trophy since 2011 (consolation). … Won its only state title in 1977 and has reached the finals twice (1977, 1978).
COEUR d’ALENE VIKINGS
Record: 16-7
State seed: #5, District 1 champ
Coach: Stacy Boyd, first season
Players to watch: G Brookeslee Colvin, so.; G Natalie Semprimoznik, jr.; P Kelsey Carroll, sr.
Notes: Two-time defending champions are at state for the third straight year, and fifth time in six seasons, and enter state on a 10-game winning streak ... Colvin, who has dozens of college offers, averages 21.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 4.2 steals. Her sister Teagan, who helped Coeur d’Alene to the last two state titles, is a freshman reserve at UNLV … Semprimoznik, a transfer from Freeman High in Rockford, Wash., averages 10.4 points and 2.4 assists ... Carroll averages 9.7 points and 7.6 rebounds ... Boyd, a longtime AAU coach in Spokane, replaced Nicole Symons, who led the Vikings to two state titles in five seasons ... Lost to Owyhee, Boise and Eagle in November and early December. Three other losses came at the Tarkanian Classic, and the other setback was to undefeated Deer Park ... Last year’s state title was the Vikings’ 11th in program history.
EAGLE MUSTANGS
Record: 19-5
State seed: #3, District 3 runner-up
Coach: Jeremy Munroe, fourth season
Players to watch: F Berkley Jones, so.; G Taya Nelson, so.; F Porter Wood, sr.
Notes: At state for the second time in three years. … Last won a first-round game in 2020, when it finished third. … Only Idaho team to beat top-ranked Owyhee, upsetting the Storm 50-46 in the district semifinals. … Ranked No. 3 in the final state media poll. … Second-best offense in 6A at 57.6 ppg. … 5-4 vs. 6A state qualifiers. … Attempts 20.5 3-pointers per game, making six to shoot 29% as a team. … Went 2-4 around the New Year before winning eight of its last nine games. … Three players average 10 or more points per game: Jones (16.5 ppg, 6.9 rebounds), Nelson (10.4 ppg, 1.9 steals) and Wood (10.0 ppg, 6.8 rebounds). … Wood has committed to California’s Jessup University (NCAA Division II). … Won its only state title and last reached the finals in 2019.
MADISON BOBCATS
Record: 16-8
State seed: #6, District 4-5-6 runner-up
Coach: Luke Sutton, fourth season
Players to watch: G Mia Walsh, jr.; F Nora Waddoups, sr.; G Maggie Anderson
Notes: Last year the Bobcats made the state tournament for the first time since 2017 with a relatively young lineup and finished 0-2 … Only loss since Jan. 8 has been to conference foe Rigby (three times) … Lost to first-round opponent Eagle 50-45 back on Nov. 22 … Walsh averages 13.5 points and 5.2 rebounds, Waddoups 10.5 points and 5.2 rebounds.
OWYHEE STORM
Record: 22-2
State seed: #1, District 3 third/fourth place
Coach: George Rodriguez, first season
Players to watch: F Riley Beck, sr.; F Maiya Hardy, sr.; PG Josie Davis, sr.; F Mikale Roy, sr.
Notes: Wire-to-wire No. 1-ranked team in the state media poll. … 19-1 vs. Idaho teams, with its only loss coming to Eagle in the district semifinals. … Only other loss came to Democracy Prep, the top-ranked team in Nevada. … Went 3-1 in the top division at the Tarkanian Classic in December. … 7-1 vs. 6A state qualifiers. … Top defense in 6A (35.9 ppg). … 6A SIC regular-season champ. … Returns four starters from last year’s state consolation champion, the best finish in the four-year-old program’s history. … At state for the third straight year but has yet to win a first-round game. … Four players average eight or more points per game: Beck (12.5 ppg, 6.5 rebounds), Hardy (10.3 ppg, 5.1 rebounds), Davis (9.7 ppg, 3.5 assists, 2.8 steals) and Roy (8.3 ppg, 5.0 rebounds). … Five players committed to a college program. Three will play basketball — Madi Brooks (Masters), Davis (Fort Worth College) and Hardy (College of Idaho). Roy has also committed to Lewis-Clark State volleyball, and Grace Brooks to Providence softball. … Rodriguez previously coached Borah for two seasons.
RIGBY TROJANS
Record: 16-7
State seed: #7, District 4-5-6 champion
Coach: Todd Barber, fourth season
Players to watch: G Kinzley Larsen, jr.; C Tiade Togiai, sr.
Notes: Dominated the conference, taking down a good Madison team three times, including in the district championship … Trojans are in the state tournament for the seventh straight season … They won the consolation trophy two years ago and finished third in 2021 … The Trojans lost to No. 1 Boise in last year’s third-place game and face Boise in Thursday’s opener. Boise also beat Rigby 46-37 in this season’s opening game.
CLASS 5A
BLACKFOOT BRONCOS
Record: 18-5
State seed: #4, District 6 champion
Coach: Raimee Odum, fifth season
Players to watch: G Addison Tanner, sr.; C Cambrie Waterhouse, sr.; G Jaci Capson, jr.
Notes: The Broncos missed the state tournament last season, snapping a streak of five straight appearances … The Broncos last won a state title in 2021 … Lost to Skyline on Jan. 14 but have won eight straight since, including two wins over Skyline in the regular-season finale and district title game. Blackfoot opens the state tournament with a fourth matchup against Skyline.
BISHOP KELLY KNIGHTS
Record: 17-7
State seed: #8, District 3 runner-up
Coach: Derek McCormick, 17th season
Players to watch: G Brooke Hutchinson, sr.; G Mary Behrend, sr.; G Julia Baerlocher, sr.; F Abby Swan, sr.
Notes: Fourth-straight year at state tournament. … Consolation champs in 2024. … Third-place in 2023. … State champs in 2013. … Lost five all-conference players from last season. … Hutchinson (14.6 ppg) leads the team in scoring. … Behrend (9.5 ppg, 4.7 rebounds), Swan (6.8 ppg) and Baerlocher (6.5 ppg) other key contributors. … Unranked in final state media poll. … 1-4 vs 5A state qualifiers.
JEROME TIGERS
Record: 17-8
State seed: #7, Play-in winner, District 4 runner-up
Coach: Kelly Williams, third season
Players to watch: G Emma Allen, sr.; G Sawyer Garrard, fr.; G Nyla Holtzen sr.
Notes: Second straight state tournament appearance and third since 2010. … Seeks first state title since 2004 and second overall. … Looks for first, first-round win and state trophy since 2010 (third). … Only graduated three from 2023-24 season. … Have missed All-Great Basin
Conference guard Emily Lloyd all season with knee injury. … No returning All-Idaho players. … Unranked in final state media poll. … 0-4 so far against Mountain Home (first-round matchup). … 1-3 against 5A field (Bishop Kelly and Mountain Home). … Allen struggled with plantar fasciitis in her foot since early December but has played through.
MIDDLETON VIKINGS
Record: 23-1
State seed: #3, District 3 champion
Coach: Marianne Blackwell, second season
Players to watch: G Zoey Blackwell, jr.; G Elsie Wyatt, sr.; F Aysha Fried, jr.; G Dawn Holman, fr.
Notes: Moved down a classification to 5A this season. … Reached 5A (now 6A) state tournament last season and went two-and-out. … Currently on a 19-game win streak. … Ranked No. 1 in state media poll for six straight weeks, including the final poll. … Only loss came against Owyhee, the No. 1 team in 6A. … Defeated Bishop Kelly 57-30 in district championship. … 3-0 vs Bishop Kelly this season and 3-0 vs 5A state qualifiers. … Additional wins over 6A qualifiers Madison, Eagle and Boise. … Wyatt is the leading scorer (12.8 ppg) and only senior on the team. … Blackwell (12.5 ppg, 4.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 4.8 steals) fills up the
stat sheet. … She reached 1,000 career points in district championship and was named the 5A (now 6A) SIC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023-24. … Sister Olivia starts as well, daughters of head coach Marianne. … Five state titles in school history, all under current Timberline head coach Andy Jones. … Last state title came in 2017.
MOUNTAIN HOME TIGERS
Record: 19-4
State seed: #2, District 4 champion
Coach: Brent Keener, 18th season
Players to watch: G Lexi Longhurst, so.; W Kloey Borgen, jr.; W Juli Donez, jr.; Payton Blodgett, jr.; PF Ava Johnson, sr.
Notes: First state tournament appearance since 2022 when it went 0-2. ... Seeks first state title. ... Great Basin Conference champions for first time since it moved from District 3 after the 2017-18 season. ... Seeks first-round win for first time since 2002. ... Also seeks first state trophy since 2002 (third place). ... Third in final state media poll. ... Started 7-0. ... Enters tournament with nine straight wins. ... Only losses came against 6A schools. ... Borah represents most recent loss (40-39 on Jan. 4). ... 4-0 against tournament field (Jerome and Bishop Kelly). ... Fourth in 5A offensive points per game (54.87). ... Young team with two seniors. ... Holds a 3-0 advantage this season over Jerome (first-round opponent), including 49-41 win in GBC final. ... Jerome beat Mountain Home in the 2009 4A state tournament first round (52-36). ... Longhurst leads with 17 points, 3.6 assists and 3.9 steals per game. ... Donez averages 11 points per game. ... Johnson leads with six boards per game.
POCATELLO THUNDER
Record: 21-2
State seed: #1, District 5 champion
Coach: Sunny Evans, sixth season
Players to watch: F Abby Lusk, jr.; F Kenna Garza, sr.; G Taylee Rogers, sr.; G Liv Marshall, sr.
Notes: At state for the third year in a row. … Has taken third and won the consolation title in each of its last two appearances there. … Ranked No. 2 in the final state media poll. … Only two losses this season have come to 6A qualifier Eagle and Westlake, which is one of the top teams in Utah. … Lusk has multiple offers from the likes of Texas Tech, UNLV and Pepperdine. She is a reigning first-team All-Idaho selection. Lusk is just three points shy of 1,000 career points. She is averaging 15.8 points, 7.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game this season. … Garza, a Boise State signee and a second-team All-Idaho selection last season, is averaging 14.5 ppg, 9.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. She has more than 1,000 career points and is just a few rebounds shy of becoming the first player in program history with 1,000 rebounds. … Has the second best offense (58.96 ppg) and defense (36.96 ppg) in the classification behind only Middleton. … The Thunder are still searching for the first state title in program history.
SANDPOINT BULLDOGS
Record: 14-10
State seed: #6, District 1-2 champion
Coach: Will Love, seventh season
Players to watch: G Brecken Mire, so; G Jordyn Tomco, so.; G/F Demi Driggs, sr.
Notes: At state for the first time since 2023, the year in which the Bulldogs brought home their one and only state championship. ... Have clinched a state berth in eight of the last 10 seasons. ... Unranked in final media poll of the season. ... Has won seven straight games dating back to Jan. 21, which started with a win over No. 4-ranked 4A Timberlake. ... Recaptured District 1-2 title after falling to Lakeland last season. ... Beat 6A's Lake City (54-37) and Post Falls (62-48) during the regular season. ... Returning 5A IEL First Team honoree, Mire, a 5-foot 10 guard, averaged 15.9 points (46% FG, 72% FT), 4.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.0 blocks per game during the regular season, but an ankle injury in the district tournament could limit her playing time. ... Returning 5A IEL Newcomer of the Year, Tomco, a 5-foot 8 guard, averaged 13.1 points per game and shot 37% from 3-point range. ... Driggs averaged 6.3 points and 5.0 rebounds per game down low and has erupted for 20 points and 15 points against 6A Lake City and 6A Post Falls, respectively. ... Shoots 38% from the floor as a team and averages 9.2 team assists per game. ... Seeking a first-round win for the fourth time under Love, a 1995 graduate of Sandpoint High.
SKYLINE GRIZZLIES
Record: 16-8
State seed: #5, District 6 runner-up
Coach: Ty Keck, 10th season
Players to watch: G Shay Shippen, sr.; G Macy Marlow, soph.; G Madison Merzlock, jr.
Notes: The Grizzlies were fifth in the final state media poll behind Blackfoot … Shippen, who led Skyline to the state title game as a freshman, will finish her career as the state’s all-time leading scorer, although Idaho has no official record … The Grizzlies like to push the pace and were among the classification’s top-scoring teams at 57.13 points … Opening-round opponent Blackfoot beat Skyline in the district championship game … Shippen averages 24.2 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. She also leads the team with 3.3 assists and 3.3 steals … Skyline has never won a state title.
CLASS 4A
BEAR LAKE BEARS
Record: 20-3
State seed: #2, District 5 champion
Coach: Ken Wells, second season
Players to watch: F Halle Wells, so.; G Saydee Shaul, sr.; F Peyten Crockett, jr.
Notes: Won the 3A state championship last season. It was the program’s first state title in 25 years. … Moved up a classification this season and made program history by winning back-to-back district titles for the first time. … Enters state on a 12-game winning streak. … Bear Lake has only lost to top-seeded Sugar-Salem twice and Malad, which is the No. 1 team in 3A. … Ranked No. 2 in the final state media poll. … Ken Wells inherited a 6-19 team just two years ago and has gone 43-6. … Halle Wells, the coach’s kid, leads the team with 14.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. … Shaul is averaging 8.6 points and 2.5 steals per game. … Crockett is averaging 8.3 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. … Have the second-best offense (56.26 ppg) and defense (32.91 ppg) in the classification. … Have won two state championships (2024, 1999) in program history.
FRUITLAND GRIZZLIES
Record: 13-9
State seed: #6, District 3 champion
Coach: Willie Lake, third season
Players to watch: G, Aleksi Drollinger, sr.; G Payson Bratcher, fr.; F Kennedy Fitch, fr.; F Jenna Jenks, sr.
Notes: Hasn’t won a first-round game at state since 2003. … Most recent state trophy was a consolation title in 2015, and the Grizzlies have never won a state championship. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … 2-1 vs. the only 4A state qualifier it faced (McCall-Donnelly). … Roster features four seniors, one junior, two sophomores and three freshmen. … Four players average five points or more: Drollinger (11.7 ppg),. Bratcher (9.0 ppg), Fitch (7.4 ppg) and Jenks (5.0 ppg). … Drollinger also averages 5.5 rebounds, 4.9 steals and 3.5 assists per game, while Fitch is the Grizzlies’ top rebounder (5.7 rebounds). … Enters state having won nine of its last 10 games.
GOODING SENATORS
Record: 12-12
State seed: #8, District 4 runner-up
Coach: Derrick Lyons, fifth season
Players to watch: P Fallon Millican; sr.; G Camryn Rycraft, fr.; W Emma Day, jr.
Notes: First state tournament appearance since 2006. … Seeking first state title. … Seeks first
state trophy since 2006 (consolation). … Looks for first, first-round win since 2004. … Unranked in final state media poll. … 0-3 against state field (Losses against Kimberly). … No player on roster was born when Gooding last made state. … Lyons was in college when Gooding most
recently made state. … Millican is also a state qualifier in rodeo. … Rycraft is Lyons’ daughter. … Millican leads with 11.7 points, 9.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game. … Rycraft leads with 2.7 steals and 2.8 assists per game. … Rycraft averages 11.4 points per game.
KIMBERLY BULLDOGS
Record: 16-7
State seed: #5, District 4 champion
Coach: Scott Plew, third season
Players to watch: G Brooklyn VerWey, fr.; G Taya Plew, so.; P Adyson Osborne, so.; G Berkley
Dille, sr.
Notes: Making second straight state tournament appearance. … Sawtooth Central Idaho
Conference champions for first time since 2017. … Seeking first state trophy since 2017 (third). … Won only state title in 1984. … Fifth in final state media poll. … No returning All-Idaho players. … Enters tournament with nine straight wins. … 3-2 against tournament field (wins against Gooding and losses against Sugar-Salem). … Plew is president of Standlee. … Plew has two daughters on team (Taya and Tarissa). … Tarissa Plew is also a cheerleader and on track to become a valedictorian.
MCCALL-DONNELLY VANDALS
Record: 13-11
State seed: #7, District 3 runner-up
Coach: Lexi Onthank, second season
Players to watch: C Emma Ormsby, jr.; W Lexie Arnold, sr.; PG Izzy Tinney, jr.
Notes: Most recent state tournament appearance came in 2021, but before that the Vandals hadn’t qualified for state since 1993. … Won its only state title and played in its only championship game in 1979. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … 1-2 vs. the only 4A state qualifier it faced (Fruitland). … The 6-foot-3 Ormsby leads the Grizzlies in points (11.0) and rebounds (7.1) per game. … McCall features triplets Lexie (10.2 ppg, 4.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists), Shilah (4.1 ppg, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists) and Rylee (2.9 ppg, 3.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists) Arnold. …Tinney averages 8.4 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game.
SOUTH FREMONT COUGARS
Record: 21-5
State seed: #3, Play-in winner
Coach: Brooke Bailey, third season
Players to watch: Brianne Bailey, sr.; Hayden Larson, sr.
Notes: Since Jan. 8, the Cougars’ only losses have come to Sugar-Salem four times. … The Mountain Rivers Conference was one of the most competitive in the state with all three teams ranked in the state media poll during the season. … Teton, which reached the state championship game last season, did not make the state tournament. … South Fremont had to win a play-in game to advance to the state tournament despite being ranked No. 2 in the final state media poll behind only unbeaten conference foe Sugar-Salem. … Bailey, a Montana State signee, averages 17.2 points and 10.3 rebounds.
SUGAR-SALEM DIGGERS
Record: 23-0
State seed: #1, District 6 champion
Coach: Crystal Dayley, 13th season
Players to watch: Nika Nead, sr.; Andee Petterson, soph.; Ashlyn Harris, sr.
Notes: After missing the state tournament last season, the Diggers are back with a vengeance and enter the tournament unbeaten with a winning margin of nearly 25 points. … They navigated conference play without any issues and feature a senior-heavy roster. … Nead averages 14.4 points and 6.3 rebounds, Harris averages 11.5 points and 6.4 rebounds, while Petterson is at 10.2 points and 7.2 assists.
TIMBERLAKE TIGERS
Record: 19-3
State seed: #4, District 1 champ, play-in winner
Coach: Matt Miller, 21st season
Players to watch: G Malia Miller, jr.; P Diana Nelson, sr.; G Jozee MacArthur, sr.; F Lucy Simpson, sr.
Notes: At state for the 14th time in 17 seasons. … The Tigers have won four state titles, the last in 2021, and have finished second four times and third three times during that span. … Finished third at state last year without Miller, a first-team All-Idaho selection in 2023, who missed last season with a torn ACL. She averages 13 points per game and broke the single-game school assist record with 13 against Bonners Ferry on Jan. 18. … Senior Diana Nelson averages 9 points and 8 rebounds per game. … All three losses have come to state qualifiers — Coeur d’Alene (6A), Sandpoint (5A) and Grangeville (3A). … Miller is 335-138 at Timberlake.
CLASS 3A
GRANGEVILLE BULLDOGS
Record: 17-6
State seed: #4, District 1-2 champion
Coach: Michelle Barger, eighth season
Players to watch: F Madalyn Green, sr.; G Caryss Barger, jr.; G/F Addisyn Vanderwall, jr.; G Siena Wagner, sr.
Notes: Seventh consecutive state berth. … 57.14 points per game are most in 3A. … Lost to Cole Valley Christian 49-38 in the 2A third-place game a year ago. … Started the season 2-3 before winning nine of their next 10 games. … Had 21 steals in their 69-33 district championship win over Priest River. … Eight-time state champion (1977, 1979 in 3A; 1994, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2011 in 2A). … Voted fourth in 3A in the last state media poll. … Defeated 5A Lewiston 42-36 on Jan. 3 in the Avista Holiday Tournament. … Only one loss to a team from Idaho since Dec. 12. … Beat its first-round opponent Ririe 55-45 on Nov. 23.
MALAD DRAGONS
Record: 22-1
State seed: #1, District 4-5 champion
Coach: Trevor Jones, third season
Players to watch: F Brynnlee Jones, jr.; G Izzy Hacyckock, jr.; G Mikell Keetch, jr.
Notes: At state for the first time in six years. … Won first district championship in 14 years. … Enter with the second-best active winning streak in the state at 22 games and counting. … This comes just three years after Malad posted a one-win season. … Was the wire-to-wire No. 1 ranked team in the state media poll. … Only loss this season was to 4A state qualifier Bear Lake, which it avenged. … The Dragons have the second-best offense (55.91 ppg) and defense (33.04 ppg) in the classification. … Jones leads the team with 11.6 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. … Haycock, the 3A State Player of the Year for volleyball, is averaging 9.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. … Keetch is averaging 9.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists. … Has only one state championship in program history that came all the way back in 1993.
MELBA MUSTANGS
Record: 17-5
State seed: #3, District 3 runner-up
Coach: Dennis Lenz, first season
Players to watch: F Tariah Carter, sr.; F Ellie Johnson, jr.; F Darby Lowber, jr.
Notes: Ninth-straight year at state. … Lost to Parma in district championship. … Ranked third in final state media poll. … Last won state in 2023 with an undefeated season. … Also won state in 2021. … Carter (17.5 ppg, 10.2 rebounds) is committed to Idaho State. … Lowber (11.1 ppg, 7.1 rebounds) and Johnson (7.6 ppg) round out other key contributors. … 4-3 vs 3A qualifiers. … Defeated first-round opponent New Plymouth in all three meetings this season.
NEW PLYMOUTH PILGRIMS
Record: 18-7
State seed: #6, Play-in winner
Coach: Tara Lake, second season
Players to watch: G Hope Hailey, jr.
Notes: First appearance at state since 2021. … Defeated Priest River 50-31 in state play-in game. … Only state title came in 2001. … 0-5 vs 3A state qualifiers, all against Parma and Melba in league play. … Before the state play-in game, had faced only two schools outside of the Boise area this season (Grace, Oakley). … Unranked in final state media poll.
NORTH FREMONT HUSKIES
Record: 13-13
State seed: #8, Play-in winner
Coach: Ben Lenz, 26th season
Players to watch: Peyton Lenz, jr.; Grace Heiner, sr.; Taylor Sessions, jr.
Notes: The Huskies reached the state title game last season as a No. 4 seed. … They enter the tournament having won four of the past five games, the loss coming to Ririe in the district championship game. … Lenz, Heiner and Sessions all average more than 13 points per game, with Lenz hitting 35% of her 3-point shots. … Sessions leads the team with more than three assists and 7.5 rebounds per game. … North Fremont won its only state championship in 2013.
PARMA PANTHERS
Record: 20-2
State seed: #2, District 3 champion
Coach: Michael Calkins, 13th season
Players to watch: G Rylie Calkins, sr.; F Haylee Gentry, sr.; G Kaidance Kaiser, sr.; G Aarey Harris, jr.
Notes: Moved down to the 3A classification this season. … Ninth straight year in state tournament. … Last won a trophy in 2020 (third place). … Has never won a state title. … Last appeared in state final in 2019, its only appearance in state championship. … Lost to 5A state qualifier Bishop Kelly and 3A’s No. 1 team Malad this season. … Calkins (15.5 ppg, 7.9 rebounds, 3.8 steals) is a four-year starter. … Kaiser (13.8 ppg, 5.1 rebounds, 7.1 steals) missed most of last season with an injury. … Harris (11.8 ppg, 9.1 rebounds) and Gentry (6.5 ppg, 5.4 rebounds) other key contributors. … Holding opponents to 3A best 30.2 points per game. … Lost to Malad 56-40 on Nov. 23. … Defeated Melba 51-21 in district championship. … 3-0 vs Melba this season. … 6-1 vs 3A qualifiers. … No. 2 in final state media poll.
RIRIE BULLDOGS
Record: 15-9
State seed: #5, District 6 champion
Coach: Jake Landon, sixth season
Players to watch: G Brinley Taylor, sr.; Niciah Young, jr.; G Liza Boone, sr.
Notes: Made 10 straight state appearances before missing out last season. … Appeared in four state championship games, winning one state title in 2017. … The Bulldogs played a tough schedule with games against 4A powers Sugar-Salem, Teton and South Fremont, along with two games against state No. 1 Malad. … Lost to North Fremont in overtime back in January, but beat the Huskies in the second regular-season matchup and beat them again in the district final.
SODA SPRINGS CARDINALS
Record: 11-11
State seed: #7, District 4-5 runner-up
Coach: Mat Gronning, first season
Players to watch: G Abby Goodin, sr.; G/F Gracie Mouldenhauer, sr.; G Courtnee Gronning, jr.
Notes: Making their 23rd consecutive state tournament appearance. … Had placed at state nine years in a row before the streak was snapped last season. … Unranked in the final state media poll, but did receive a few votes. … Gronning took over as the interim coach midway through last season. … All of Soda Springs’ losses have come to either state qualifying or out-of-state teams. … The Cardinals have won five of their last seven games heading into state. … Goodin is averaging 14.0 points, 5.0 steals and 3.0 assists per game, Mouldenhauer 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game and Courtnee Gronning, the coach’s kid, 10.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game. … The Cardinals are averaging 12 steals and 10 assists per game as a team. … Have won four state championships (2015, 2018, 2019, 2020) in program history.
CLASS 2A
BUTTE COUNTY PIRATES
Record: 17-7
State seed: #4, Play-in winner
Coach: Mindy Gamett, first season
Players to watch: G Brynn Anderson, jr.; C Cambree Lyon, so.; C Abbie Knight, jr.
Notes: Butte County was back in the final state media poll at No. 5 after having its seven-game win streak snapped by Grace. … The Pirates responded, beating Grace twice in close games. … Butte County defeated Council 63-41 in a play-in game to earn its state berth. … Anderson leads the team at 13.3 points, while Lyon averages 11.8 points and 8.7 rebounds. … Knight can also be a force inside with 6.8 rebounds and a team-high 1.3 blocks per game.
LAKESIDE KNIGHTS
Record: 13-7
State seed: #6, District 1 champion
Coach: Chris Dohrman, 12th season
Players to watch: G Kyleigh Wolfe, jr.; G Laila Charley, fr.; G Kimberly Pluff, jr.
Notes: At state for the sixth time in 10 seasons, and first time since 2023. ... Wolfe, who recently surpassed the 1,000-point mark in career scoring at Lakeside, averages 24.4 points per game. ... Charley averages 10.4 points. ... Won A-4 title in 1990 when competing as Plummer High.
LAPWAI WILDCATS
Record: 20-4
State seed: #5, District 2 runner-up
Coach: Josh Leighton, second season
Players to watch: G Madden Bisbee, jr.; SG Skylin Picard, jr.; G Lois Oatman, so.
Notes: Leighton also coaches Lapwai football and led Lapwai boys basketball to two titles (2000, 2002). ... At state for 25th straight year, the longest streak in Idaho girls basketball. ... Finished first, second or third in the past 15 of 16 years. ... Had won 12 straight district championships prior to this year. ... Owns a record 11 state titles, most recent in 2022. ... Went 1-2 against 2A state qualifiers, all against Prairie. ... Beat Prairie 50-46 on Jan. 29, lost at Prairie and in district title game. ... Scores 60.79 points per game (third-best in 2A), allows 36.17 points per game (10th-best in 2A).
LIBERTY CHARTER PATRIOTS
Record: 17-5
State seed: #7, District 3 champion
Coach: Brad McCain, 11th season
Players to watch: G Jennabelle Reece, sr.; G Sydney Albright, fr.; G Sophie Criddle, jr.
Notes: Making its 11th straight trip to state but still searching for the first opening-round victory in program history. … Best state finishes were consolation trophies in 2018 and 2012. … Second-best defense in 2A (27.6 ppg). … 1-2 vs. 2A state qualifiers. … Won eight of its last 10 games. … Knocked off top-seeded Wilder for its first district title since 2016. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … Reece leads the teams in scoring (10.3 ppg), rebounds (5.9) and assists (2.4) while adding 2.5 steals per game. … Albright (7.8 ppg) and Criddle (5.9 ppg) give the Patriots two other scoring options.
OAKLEY HORNETS
Record: 21-1
State seed: #1, District 4 champion
Coach: Kristin Jones, second season
Players to watch: G Livee Berlinguet, jr.; F Addy Maseda, jr.; G Taylin Beck, jr.
Notes: Won third straight Snake River Conference en route to fourth straight state tournament
appearance. … Looking for third trophy in past four trips to state (consolation in 2022 and
runner-up in 2023). … Lost third-place game in 2024. … Looking for first state title since 2018 and second overall. … Ranked first in final state media poll. … Started 19-0. … Only lost to Valley (60-57) on Jan. 29 but avenged that in SRC championship (59-31 on Feb. 11). … Beat three of five teams ranked in final 2A media poll (did not play Lapwai). … 4-1 against field (only loss against Valley). … Jones’ daughter, Kandance Jones, is a sophomore on the team. … Many of these girls helped Oakley volleyball finish as 2024 state runner-up. … Academic state champions with 3.918 cumulative grade point average. … Third-best defense in 2A (30.14 points per game).
PRAIRIE PIRATES
Record: 20-2
State seed: #2; District 2 champion
Coach: Lori Mader, 15th season
Players to watch: G Lexi Schumacher, sr.; P Sage Elven, jr.; P Kylie Schumacher, jr.
Notes: Claimed first district title in 13 years with a 68-49 win over Lapwai, to whom they had lost 12 consecutive finals. … Returning third-place finishers at the state level. … Only losses this season came to Lapwai (which they beat on two other occasions) and top seed Oakley. … Have won nine state titles in program history (1977, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1988, 1992, 1997 in Class 2A; 2012, 2014 in Class 1A DI).
VALLEY VIKINGS
Record: 19-5
State seed: #3, District 4 runner-up
Coach: Derek Malone, second season
Players to watch: G Lexi Huettig, sr.; G Afton Lewis, sr.; PF Afton Godfrey, sr.
Notes: Second straight state tournament appearance. … Seeking first trophy since 2017
(consolation). … Also made 2A (now 3A) state tournament in 2021. … Looking for first
state title. … Second best offense in 2A (61.04 points per game). … Plays a relentless and fast
style of basketball. … Fourth in final state media poll. … 2-3 against tournament field. … Season-high win streak of 10. … Erased a 15-2 deficit to beat Raft River in Snake River Conference true second-place game. … Seeking first, first-round win since 2009 when it finished as 2A runner-up. … Huettig is 1A Division I (now 2A) state meet record holder in long jump, pole vault and triple jump. … Huettig seeks her third straight state titles in those events. … Malone’s daughter, Hailey Malone, is a sophomore on the team.
WILDER WILDCATS
Record: 18-3
State seed: #8, District 3 runner-up
Coach: Juan Arias, seventh season
Players to watch: G Emely Ramírez, sr.; F Natalie Escutia, jr.; G Nancy Ramírez, jr.
Notes: First trip to state since 1976 for the inaugural IHSAA girls basketball state tournament. … Searching for its first state tournament win and trophy. … Top defense in 2A (25.7 ppg). … Won 16 in a row before falling to Liberty Charter 29-25 in the district championship game. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … 2A WIC regular-season champ. … 1-1 vs. the only 2A state qualifier it faced (Liberty Charter). … All five starters average six or more points per game, led by Emely Ramírez (10.6 ppg, 4.7 steals), Escutia (10.1 ppg, 7.2 rebounds) and Nancy Ramírez (9.6 ppg, 4.2 assists).
CLASS 1A
CAREY PANTHERS
Record: 16-7
State seed: #2, Play-in winner, District 4 runner-up
Coach: Merrilee Sears, 16th season
Players to watch: P Paige Black, sr.; G Andie Simpson, so.; F Meredith Hoskins, sr.
Notes: First state tournament appearance since 2022 when it went 0-2. … Looking for first state title since 2019 and second overall. … Seeking first state trophy since 2021 (third place). … Unranked in final state media poll. … Season-high win streak of five (twice). … 3-2 against tournament field.
CHALLIS VIKINGS
Record: 16-6
State seed: #6, District 5-6 third place
Coach: Jordan Oerke, third season
Players to watch: Jalie Oerke, sr.; Danika Wolfenbarger, so.; Taylor Redick, sr.
Notes: The Vikings have two players who average double figures with Oerke averaging 10 points and 10 rebounds and Wolfenbarger adding another 10 points, while Redick scores nine points per game. … The Vikings enter the tournament having won 10 of 12 games with the only losses coming against Rocky Mountain Conference foe Mackay 48-45 and a nonconference tilt with Carey. … The Vikings make their first state appearance in eight years after placing second in conference.
DIETRICH BLUE DEVILS
Record: 12-7
State seed: #4, District 4 champion
Coach: Charley Bingham, first season
Players to watch: C Katilyn Wanamaker, sr.; G Aleigha Robertson, sr.; G Paje Van Tassell, sr.
Notes: Claimed Sawtooth Conference three-peat for third straight state tournament
appearance. … Seeking third straight state trophy (runner-up in 2023 and 2024). … Seeking first state title since 2014 and fifth overall. … Fifth in final state media poll. … Enters state with seven straight wins. … 4-1 against tournament field. … Wanamaker is returning second team All-Idaho honoree. … Bingham took over for former head coach Rick Astle, who died in April 2024 after numerous prolonged health complications. … Bingham is Dietrich’s former head volleyball coach and won three straight girls basketball state titles as a Dietrich player. … Robertson leads with 12.4 points and 3.1 assists per game. … Wanamaker leads with 8.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. … Van Tassell leads with three steals per game. … Van Tassell also averages 9.6 points per game.
GENESEE BULLDOGS
Record: 20-1
State seed: No. 1; District 2 champion
Coach: Greg Hardie, seventh season
Players to watch: G Monica Subert, sr.; G Chloe Grieser, jr.; G. Kendra Meyer, sr.
Notes: Playing first year in new field after moving to 1A classification (formerly 1A Division II) from 1A Division I (Now 2A). … Only loss this season came against Lapwai. … Won first district title in 21 years. … Making their first state appearance in five years. … Riding a 10-game winning streak.
MACKAY MINERS
Record: 15-9
State seed: #7, District 5-6 runner-up
Coach: Josh Pehrson, fourth season
Players to watch: Danika Seefried, jr.; Alyssa Pehrson, jr.; Jaida Rodriguez, so.; Mylee Drussel, sr.
Notes: The Miners have three players in double figures with Seefried (11.8), Pehrson (10.1) and Rodriguez (10.8) all stepping up. … Seefried also leads the team with 8.2 rebounds. … The Rocky Mountain Conference was competitive this season with five teams sporting winning records. … Mackay finished strong, winning eight of its final nine games with the lone loss coming to Rockland in the district title game.
NEZPERCE NIGHTHAWKS
Record: 11-10
State seed: #8, Play-in winner
Coach: Kaci Ralstin, first season
Players to watch: Aubree Lux, sr.; Kairys Grant, jr.; Helen Wilcox, so.; Jada Jensen, fr.
Notes: First appearance at state since 2019. … Started the season 2-4 but ended it 5-1 in its last six games. … Young team features just one senior. … Unranked in the last 1A media poll. … Still hunting for their first state title. … First-round game against Genesee will be fourth meeting this season with the Bulldogs winning the previous three.
ROCKLAND BULLDOGS
Record: 18-5
State seed: #3, District 5-6 champion
Coach: Jordan Black, second season
Players to watch: F Alexa Permann, sr.; G Calyn Permann, sr.; P Sidney Freeman, sr.
Notes: At state for the seventh straight year. … Is the reigning state consolation champion and has placed at state for the last three years. … Won their third district title in four years. … Finished No. 2 in the final state media poll, where they spent most of the year ranked No. 1. … Have only lost once in the classification. … Enter state having won eight of their last nine games. … Black took over from legendary and two-time state championship coach Vern Nelson, who passed away last February from cancer. … Boasts the classification’s best defense at 26.43 points per game. … Alexa Permann leads the team with 10.3 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. … Cousin Calyn Permann is averaging 9.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game. … Freeman is averaging 7.3 points and 6.8 rebounds. … Rockland has won two state titles (2020, 2022) in program history.
SALMON RIVER SAVAGES
Record: 16-6
State seed: #5, District 3 champion
Coach: Levi Tucker, fourth season
Players to watch: G Rylee Walters, jr.; G Taylor Ewing, so.; G Kennedy Wilson, fr.
Notes: Making back-to-back state tournament appearances. … Last won a trophy in 2019 (second). … Won its only state championship in 1977. … Unranked in the final state media poll. … 1-1 vs. the only 1A state qualifier it faced (Nezperce). … Walters is one of four returning starters after second-team all-state honors last season, averaging a team-best 20.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 6.0 steals and 1.4 blocks per game while shooting 44 percent from the floor. … Ewing contributes 11.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and a team-leading 4.1 assists per game. … Wilson ranks third on the team in points (7.6), rebounds (4.3) and assists (1.3). … Has won six of its last seven games entering state.