IDAHO ALL-STAR GAMES: All options open ... Area seniors mull college futures after Saturday's state all-star games at North Idaho College

By JASON ELLIOTT 

Sports writer 

COEUR d’ALENE — Diana Nelson of Timberlake is already planning to attend North Idaho College to study dental hygiene. 

She might be close to adding another role — playing on the women’s basketball team — to her Cardinal schedule. 

“I didn’t think I was going to play at the next level, and just looked to get some more game time in,” said Nelson, who said she’s considering walking on to the program for the 2025-26 season. “I’m thinking about playing here. I don’t see a reason not to play here since I love the sport so much and I’m going to be attending school as well.” 

Shay Shippen, the Columbia-bound guard from Skyline High in Idaho Falls, scored 12 points to earn MVP honors as the Region (rest of Idaho) defeated the Metro (Boise area) 89-61 in the 22nd annual Idaho all-star games for high school seniors at North Idaho College’s Christianson Gymnasium on Saturday. Jayce Allen of state 6A champion Owyhee, playing for the Metro boys, was MVP with 16 points in a 123-119 win.

In between the boys and girls games, Timberlake’s Tyler Engelson hit 25 3-pointers in the final round to beat Blackfoot’s Addison Turner 25-14 for the 3-point championship. Engelson had 24 in the first round to advance.

“I’ve been practicing this for a long time,” Engelson said. “I shoot 400 to 500 shots a day, always 3-pointers, so I was ready for it.” 

Asher Williams, who led Bonners Ferry to a second straight state title last weekend, defeated Allen in the slam dunk contest. 

“I wasn’t really nervous,” said Williams, who has committed to Montana Tech. “I didn’t really know what I was going to do, or what I was going to pull out. So I was asking some people ‘what should I do,’ and just did it.” 

BOYS: Reese Strawn of state 6A runner-up Lake City scored 18 points for the Region.

As far as the next level, he’s not closing the door on that yet. 

“I’m not sure yet,” said Strawn, who has attracted some interest from some Northwest Athletic Conference schools. “It’s so hard to know with the transfer portal and stuff to know super early. We’ll see. Every door is open, and I’d love to play. I’m keeping every door open until I weight my options and decide.” 

On Saturday, Strawn played on the same team with two players (Allen and Boden Howell) from Owyhee, which defeated the Timberwolves in the championship game. 

“It’s super fun,” Strawn said. “I’ve got some buddies on the SIC (Metro) team and some buddies on our team. It was fun to get out and play in front of a good crowd. It was nice to be out here and not have the last time, if it is my last time, be against Owyhee.” 

The Region team was coached by Asher’s dad, Nathan Williams. 

“It was awesome that he was selected as coach,” Asher Williams said. “And with that one player that missed out (Valley’s Pedro Robles), Brody (Rice) stepped in and really played well.” 

Brody Rice wasn’t on the final roster released to the media on Friday. But when Robles was unable to make the trip north for the game, Rice, who was an alternate, got the call and made his impact on the game, finishing with nine points. 

“I found out last night,” Rice said. “It was exciting to play with Asher and Thomas (Bateman) one last time. We've been playing together since the third grade. I was a little nervous at the start of the game, but it went away.” 

Bonners Ferry has appeared in three straight state title games, finishing second in 2023. 

“I love those guys,” Asher Williams said. “It was awesome that we could end our careers here at the all-star game. It was a pretty cool experience.” 

Engelson finished with 10 points for the Region. 

“It was awesome,” Engelson said. “I don’t usually get to play against competition like this. It was a great experience, and I was really blessed to get to play here. Thanks to everyone that ran this show.” 

As for what’s next ... 

“I’m looking at some Division II schools, but I’ll choose within a couple of weeks,” Engelson said. “It was awesome to play with the kids from Bonners Ferry, They’re an awesome team and they’re great people. I had a great time.” 

Rice is undecided on his future plans. 

“Hopefully I can play basketball somewhere next year,” Rice said. “I’ve heard from some JUCO schools.” 

Bateman scored nine points for the Region. 

“I’m going to visit Treasure Valley and Walla Walla in the spring and see what happens from there,” Bateman said. “Since third grade, this is what I’ve been picturing, getting to state and win those back-to-back titles. I didn’t even know this was a thing, and when I was asked, I thought it was cool.” 

Metro    34    26    23    30    —    123 

Region    25    31    23    30    —    119     

METRO — Lincoln Mathis (Ambrose) 8, Sam Penny (McCall-Donnelly) 11, Javonte Boles (Ridgevue) 4, Mac Saverdra (Rocky Mountain) 15, Blake Hansen (Columbia) 6, Michael Foster (McCall-Donnelly) 6, Amer Sangha (Riverstone) 0, Josh Mizar (Weiser) 6, Isaiah Telleria (Capital) 17, Jayce Allen (Owyhee) 16, Boden Howell (Owyhee) 9, TJ Sanor (Meridian) 0, Alex Ko (Timberline) 12, Tucker Tiddens (Ridgevue) 13. 

REGION — Preston Wood (Carey) 2, Kylan Kendall (Hagerman) 18, Tyler Engelson (Timberlake) 10, Reese Strawn (Lake City) 18, Cruz Harris (Preston) 21, Pedro Robles (Valley) DNP, Asher Williams (Bonners Ferry) 18, Thomas Bateman (Bonners Ferry) 9, David Kludt (Kamiah) 4, Seamus Wilson (Logos) 10, Brody Rice (Bonners Ferry) 8.  

GIRLS: Nelson, a 6-foot-2 center, was also a two-year standout in volleyball at Timberlake. 

“I thought about coming here to play volleyball, but never heard anything back from the coaches,” Nelson said. “I just figured I’d get my schooling done and didn’t think about basketball or anything else. I definitely want to keep playing here. It’s something I really want to do.” 

Nelson helped the Tigers to back-to-back third-place finishes at state after finishing runner-up as a sophomore. 

“This was the most fun I’ve ever had playing basketball,” Nelson said. “I think it was really cool to get out of my comfort zone and play with girls that I’ve never played with before. I’ve only ever known Timberlake basketball, and I love them for everything they’ve taught me. But it was exciting to get to play with some other people for once.” 

Lakeland’s Landree Simon, who signed with NAIA University of Providence in Great Falls, finished with seven points for the Region. 

“(Providence coach) Bill Himmelberg was my club coach for AAU and when I visited there, I just fell in love with it,” Simon said. “The girls, the program and everything about it. I like the team culture that they have and what they’re for.” 

“I was looking forward to playing with Shay Shippen,” Simon said of Saturday's game. “She’s a really good player and competes at a high level. I was excited to get to do that.” 

Lakeland did not play Skyline in the last four years with Simon on varsity. 

Coeur d’Alene’s Kelsey Carroll added 13 points for the Region. 

“I’m still undecided at the moment,” Carroll said. “I’m just really glad I was given the chance to play today. These are all just amazing, sweet girls and all very talented. I was just glad I got the chance to meet them.” 

Metro    14    17    18    12    —    61 

Region    16    27    27    19    —    89 

METRO — Kailee Lerew (Weiser) 7, Tariah Carter (Melba) 12, Addy Bayne (Columbia) 14, Brooke Hutchinson (Bishop Kelly) 17, Natalie Goslin (Emmett) 11, Jennabelle Reece (Liberty Charter) 0, Stella Warren (Midvale) 3, Rylie Calkins (Parma) 0. 

REGION — Landree Simon (Lakeland) 7, Addison Tanner (Blackfoot) 9, Lexi Schumacher (Prairie) 3, Diana Nelson (Timberlake) 4, Lexie Kesler (Hillcrest) 7, Madalyn Green (Grangeville) 9, Nika Need (Sugar-Salem) 9, Brianne Bailey (South Fremont) 16, Shay Shippen (Skyline) 12, Kelsey Carroll (Coeur d’Alene) 13. 

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press Region center Diana Nelson attempts to drive past Metro guard Addy Bayne during the second half of the 22nd annual girls Idaho All-Star basketball game at North Idaho College on Saturday.
  

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press Region guard Tyler Engelson of Timberlake shoots over Metro guard Sam Penny of McCall-Donnelly during the first half of the 22nd annual boys Idaho All-Star Games at North Idaho College on Saturday.
  

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press Region forward Landree Simon of Lakeland High attempts to pass around Metro defender Rylie Calkins of Parma during the first half of Saturday's 22nd annual girls Idaho All-Star basketball game at North Idaho College.
  

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press Region guard Reese Strawn of Lake City High drives past Metro guard Alex Ko of Timberline during the first half of the 22nd annual boys Idaho All-Star Game at North Idaho College.
  

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press Region guard Brody Rice of Bonners Ferry High drives past Metro guard Sam Penny of McCall-Donnelly during the first half of the 22nd annual boys Idaho All-Star Game at North Idaho College.
  

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press Region forward Kelsey Carroll of Coeur d'Alene High drives past Metro forward Natalie Goslin of Emmett during the first half of the 22nd annual girls Idaho All-State basketball game at North Idaho College.