2016 4A All-Idaho boys basketball team
BOYS FIRST TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: AUSTIN SMELLIE, PRESTON
Why he is Player of the Year: The 6-5 senior wing came up in the clutch time and time again to lead Preston to its 4A title. He averaged 19.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.1 blocks a game.
Coach’s comment: “Anytime we needed a play, he always would step up and make one,” Preston coach Tyler Jones said.
What others are saying: “Austin is a matchup nightmare,” Middleton coach Dale Karst said. “He has the ability to both play on the perimeter and also post up smaller players.”
What’s next: Smellie has committed to Idaho State. He will go on an LDS mission to Argentina and return in 2018.
JOSH PILLING, MINICO
The Great Basin Conference Player of the Year led the Spartans in points (12.9 per game), rebounds (7.5) and assists (4.0). The 6-4 senior point guard excelled under pressure and shredded defenses that tried to pressure the Spartans.
BRAYDEN PARKER, PRESTON
The 6-6 sophomore center gave the Indians a mismatch and a security blanket on their state championship run. Whenever the offense sputtered, they could always dump it into his soft hands, which averaged 13.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks.
MATTHEW BRUMLEY, MINICO
Standing at 6-5, the junior center protected the Spartans’ rim, setting a school record with seven blocks in one game. He averaged 12.3 points and 6.0 rebounds and shot 14-of-15 from the field in a state tournament win over Caldwell.
MAX RICE, BISHOP KELLY
When the Knights faced larger opponents in the postseason, they turned to Rice. The 6-3 sophomore played bigger than his frame while leading BK in scoring. He finished averaging 13.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals a game.
SECOND TEAM
Player | School | Height | Year | Position | Stats |
George Tarlas | Caldwell | 6-4 | Junior | Guard | 10.6 ppg, 7.4 reb, 3.1 ast |
Braden Boyce | Rigby | 6-4 | Senior | Center | 9.8 ppg, 8.1 reb |
Jaden Brown | Pocatello | 5-9 | Junior | Guard | 17 ppg, 4.5 reb |
Dan Sabala | Bishop Kelly | 5-11 | Junior | Point guard | 7.0 ppg, 3.0 ast, 2.2 stl |
Reece Robinett | Middleton | 6-4 | Junior | Forward | 11.4 ppg, 4.8 reb |
This story was originally published March 26, 2016 at 11:30 PM with the headline "2016 4A All-Idaho boys basketball team."