Varsity Extra

Idaho 2025 boys basketball, girls basketball and wrestling championship coverage

Stories by Idaho Statesman journalists, with AI summarization

Idaho high school sports in 2024-25 delivered intense storylines across basketball and wrestling, revealing athletes’ grit and skill. Owyhee’s basketball programs powered through adversity, with the girls capping a four-year journey by capturing their first state title, while the boys dominated to claim their third championship in four years. On the mats, Bishop Kelly’s wrestling team staged a rally to seize an outright state crown, highlighted by Matthew Martino’s return from injury for a historic fourth championship.

Parma’s girls fulfilled Rylie Calkins’ bold prediction by staying calm under pressure and earning a first title, and Pocatello ended Middleton’s remarkable win streak for a breakthrough 5A basketball championship. Timberline and Columbia won state trophies in boys basketball, while Fruitland and Rocky Mountain’s wrestling teams broke through with impressive performances.

Owyhee wins the 6A state girls basketball championship final over Boise, 38-33, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. By Sarah A. Miller

NO. 1: ‘WE PROVED ALL THE HATERS WRONG.’ OWYHEE GIRLS BASKETBALL LOCKS IN FOR FIRST STATE TITLE

“We had a lot of people that just didn’t like us this year. That just really fueled us, and fueled our fire to want it more.” | Published February 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Lycklama

Parma celebrates with the 3A State Girls Basketball Championship Trophy after defeating Malad 58-55 at Ford Idaho Center in Nampa, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. By Darin Oswald

NO. 2: PARMA SENIOR PREDICTED A STATE TITLE. THE PANTHERS PROVED HER RIGHT WITH A CHAMPIONSHIP

A fourth-quarter comeback threatened Parma’s first state title. But the Panthers found a way to pull it out. | Published February 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Lycklama and Rachel Roberts

Middleton sophomore Megan Stewart controls the ball against Pocatello in the 5A girls basketball state championship title game held at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa, Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. Pocatello won 62-46. By Sarah A. Miller

NO. 3: ‘WE WILL BE BACK.’ POCATELLO GRABS 5A TITLE, ENDS MIDDLETON’S 21-GAME WINNING STREAK

The Vikings graduate just one senior from this year’s state runner-up squad. | Published February 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rachel Roberts

Owyhee’s Boden Howell celebrates with students after the Storm defeat Lake City for the championship game of the 6A boys basketball state tournament held at Ford Idaho Center in Nampa, Saturday, March 8, 2025. Owyhee defeated Lake City 77-46. By Sarah A. Miller

NO. 4: ‘OWYHEE VS. EVERYONE.’ STORM TOOK ALL OF IDAHO’S BEST SHOT, ROLLED TO ANOTHER STATE TITLE

“It was kind of satisfying for us to see that, during the middle of the third quarter, everyone is starting to leave. That boosted my morale. That made me happy.” | Published March 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Lycklama and Rachel Roberts

Timberline’s bench celebrates teammate Collin Morris’ fifth 3-pointer against Meridian in the first half of the Wolves’ 60-53 win over the Warriors in the 6A boys basketball state tournament at Ford Idaho Center in Nampa, Thursday, March 6, 2025. By Darin Oswald

NO. 5: BOYS STATE BASKETBALL: TIMBERLINE TAKES THIRD, COLUMBIA EARNS FIRST TROPHY, MCCALL WINS

Find out how District Three teams fared in consolation action on the final day of state. | Published March 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rachel Roberts

Bishop Kelly senior Matthew Martino flashes four fingers to represent his four state titles Saturday following a first-round pin over Blackfoot junior Ty Adams in the 5A 144-pound finals Saturday at the state championships in Pocatello. By Paul Lambert

NO. 6: IDAHO WRESTLING STATE TOURNAMENT: THREE TEAMS, 23 BOISE-AREA INDIVIDUALS CROWNED CHAMPS

The Treasure Valley title winners include a four-time state champ, a late rally for the 5A trophy, and a first-time girls champ. | Published March 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Michael Lycklama

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.