1A All-Idaho girls basketball team: Prolific scorers, league MVPs lead selections
Note: Coaches in each classification select the All-Idaho teams. The Idaho Statesman hosts the voting process and publishes the results.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: RYLEE WALTERS, SALMON RIVER
The pick: The 5-10 senior guard stuffed the stat sheet, contributing 21.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 3.6 steals and 1.6 blocks per game to help Salmon River finish 25-1 and earn the third-place trophy at state.
Coach’s comment: “She is a great defender on and off the ball,” Salmon River coach Levi Tucker said. “She can press full court or block shots under the basket. You better have a plan to guard her. She can shoot from feet beyond the 3-point line. She can get to the rim off the bounce or play with her back to the basket in the post.”
What others are saying: “Her skill set at this level was unmatched from ballhandling, shooting, rebounding and defense,” Cascade coach Linzie Green said.
What’s next: Walters is committed to Oregon Tech.
ANDIE SIMPSON, CAREY
The 5-5 junior point guard surpassed 1,000 points for her career while guiding the Panthers to the state consolation title. She averaged 18.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 3.0 assists per game while shooting 32% from deep and 40% overall.
KAYLEE WOOD, DEARY
The Mustangs battled their way to the program’s first state championship behind their floor general and defensive leader. The 5-5 senior point guard posted 12.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, 4.7 steals and 4.0 assists per game, and shot 36% from the floor.
AVERY LUX, NEZPERCE
The Whitepine League’s MVP led the Nighthawks to a state runner-up finish. Only a sophomore, the 5-7 guard recorded 11.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.7 steals and 3.4 assists per game, and also led Nezperce in 3-pointers made.
CHLOE GRIESER, GENESEE
A first-team All-Idaho pick for the second year in a row, the 5-8 senior point guard led the classification in scoring at 21.7 points per game. The Walla Walla Community College commit averaged a double-double, adding 11.7 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 2.7 assists per game.
COACH OF THE YEAR: KENDRA KEEN, DEARY
She led the Mustangs to a 23-2 record and the first state championship in program history.
