Girls High School Basketball

1A Division I All-Idaho girls basketball team | 2023-2024

Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by each classification’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman hosts the voting process and publishes the results.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: SYDNEE SMITH, GRACE

The pick: The 5-10 senior forward served as the state champ’s rock, leading the Grizzlies in scoring (12.3 ppg) and rebounds (5.5). Whenever Grace needed a bucket, it knew right where to turn. She took her game to another level at state, racking up 20 points and 14 rebounds in the state finals.

Coach’s comment: “She can face up and hit the mid-range shot, and can also play very well with her back to the basket. Her double-double in the championship game at state showed the type of player she was for us this season,” Grace coach Kyle Christensen said.

What others are saying: “Sydnee would not be denied. She passed, scored, rebounded and played great defense. Extremely tough to match up with,” Butte County coach Richard Hansen said.

What’s next: Smith is weighing options to play at several junior colleges.

Grace senior forward Sydnee Smith was voted the 1A Division I All-Idaho Girls Basketball Player of the Year by the state’s coaches.
Grace senior forward Sydnee Smith was voted the 1A Division I All-Idaho Girls Basketball Player of the Year by the state’s coaches. Shena Smith Idaho State Journal

SAMARA POWAUKEE, LAPWAI

The Whitepine League Player of the Year served as the Wildcats’ leader on both offense and defense. The 5-6 senior point guard finished the year averaging 10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals to lead Lapwai to a state runner-up finish.

LEXI SCHUMACHER, PRAIRIE

A floor general and the straw that stirred the Pirates’ drink, the 5-6 junior point guard created on both ends of the floor. She posted 18.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.8 steals per game as Prairie brought home the third-place trophy from state.

JACIE CHRISTENSEN, GRACE

If any opponent tried to press the Grizzlies, the 5-4 senior point guard quickly convinced them to change tactics. She distributed the ball for the state champs (3.5 assists). But she also was a potent scorer of her own, scoring 8.1 points per game while shooting 48% from the field.

MELODIE STRAATMAN, GRACE

Her high basketball IQ and length made the 5-11 senior wing a terror at the top of the Grizzlies’ zone defense, clogging passing lanes and forcing turnovers in bunches. She averaged 3.6 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, adding 10.1 points a night, too.

COACH OF THE YEAR: KYLE CHRISTENSEN, GRACE

He led Grace to the second state title in program history, closing the season on a 16-game winning streak.

SECOND TEAM

PlayerSchoolHeightYearPositionStats
Qubilah MitchellLapwai5-10SeniorWing

6.0 ppg, 6.0 reb, 1.0 blk

Sage ElvenPrairie5-10Soph.Forward

12.0 ppg, 9.7 reb, 3.6 stl

Ady StangerMurtaugh5-6SeniorPoint guard

11.7 ppg, 8.3 ast, 6.2 stl

Jayden LeightonLapwai6-0SeniorCenter

6.0 ppg, 6.0 reb, 2.1 blk

Britany PhillipsWallace5-9SeniorGuard

22.9 ppg, 10.5 reb, 5.1 stl

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Michael Lycklama
Idaho Statesman
Michael Lycklama has covered Idaho high school sports since 2007. He’s won national awards for his work uncovering the stories of the Treasure Valley’s best athletes and investigating behind-the-scenes trends. If you like seeing stories like this, please consider supporting our work with a digital subscription to the Idaho Statesman. Support my work with a digital subscription
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