Take it to the bank. Here’s who is going to win all six boys basketball state championships.
Idaho’s premier high school sporting event kicks off Thursday with the boys basketball state tournaments scattered around the Treasure Valley.
After nailing five of the six state champions last year — and having the one I missed listed as a contender — I took a swing at predicting who will hoist championship banners this year at Nampa’s Ford Idaho Center.
[Related: State brackets | 12 must-see players | Scouting reports on all 48 teams]
CLASS 5A
THE FAVORITE: A midseason loss to Timberline woke a sleeping giant, as Borah (21-3) has won 13 straight to win another district title and get an easier draw. Senior point guard Ellis Magnuson (10.2 ppg, 5.8 assists) and junior forward Austin Bolt (14.8 ppg, 11.0 rebounds) remain one of the state’s most exciting duos. But the Lions have plenty of other weapons as they chase their 12th state championship.
THE CONTENDER: Madison (23-3) returns the bulk of a team that finished as last year’s consolation champ, and the Bobcats swept three games against Treasure Valley competition to open the season, including a two-point win over Borah and a 20-point win over Mountain View. Expect a patient offense and a shutdown defense. Madison leads 5A by allowing just 44.4 points per game.
THE DARK HORSE: It’s hard to call Rocky Mountain (21-3), the two-time defending champ, a dark horse. But you can flip a coin between Borah, Madison and the Grizzlies, who finished the regular season as the state’s No. 1-ranked team.
A loss to Borah in the district final earned Rocky Mountain a tough first-round matchup with Post Falls (17-6). But with five regulars standing 6-foot-6 or taller, the Grizzlies will own an advantage in the paint every night.
CLASS 4A
THE FAVORITE: The favorite status has traded hands in 4A all season long. But until someone knocks off three-time defending champ Preston (22-2), it remains the favorite. The Indians field 4A’s top offense (64.4 ppg) and one of its best coaches in Tyler Jones (146-43). And 6-6 junior post Ty Hyde (16.9 ppg, 8.1 rebounds) gives Preston another dominating big man to build around.
THE CONTENDER: Twin Falls (20-3) finished the regular season as the state’s No. 1-ranked team but lost to Preston in the district final to split the season series. With 6-10 senior center Mitchell Brizee (15.7 ppg, 6.9 rebounds), second-team All-Idaho guard Faust Ystueta (13.1 ppg) and 4A’s second-toughest defense (46.1 ppg), a third meeting at the Idaho Center is in the cards.
THE DARK HORSE: Century (20-5) already owns wins over Preston and Twin Falls this season. With 4A’s top defense (46.1 ppg) and a dominating big man of their own in 6-7 senior Max Rogers (15.0 ppg, 8.2 rebounds, 2.3 blocks), the Diamondbacks will have a lot to say about who brings home a championship banner.
CLASS 3A
THE FAVORITE: No one could have faulted defending state champ Fruitland (19-4) for collapsing after longtime head coach Mike Fitch was placed on leave a week into practice. But the Grizzlies have overcome all the drama to remain undefeated against 3A competition. Jake O’Neil, a first-team All-Idaho pick last year, returned from a broken leg Jan. 12, and the Grizzlies haven’t lost since.
THE CONTENDER: Parma (20-4) remains the only 3A team to challenge Fruitland. It has lost all three meetings, including two by double digits. But a senior-laden team with loads of state tournament experience has forced the Grizzlies to sweat in each contest.
THE DARK HORSE: Kimberly (19-3) enters as one of the hottest teams in the state, winning 13 in a row and 16 of its past 17 games. The defending runner-up has a challenging first-round draw with Parma. Both teams finished tied for second in the final state media poll.
CLASS 2A
THE FAVORITE: This finally looks like the year for senior-laden Ririe (22-1), the two-time defending state runner-up. No opponent at the 2A level can guard 6-7 forward Michael Ure (21.7 ppg, 11.6 rebounds) on his own.
THE CONTENDER: Bear Lake (20-4) and Ririe have met in the finals the past two years, with the Bears winning both matchups. Bear Lake returns just one starter from its two title teams, but it fields 2A’s toughest defense at 40.5 ppg.
THE DARK HORSE: West Side (15-9) knocked off No. 2-ranked Bear Lake three times this season, including twice in the district tournament. But it’ll have to upset Ririe to earn a shot at a rematch at the Idaho Center.
CLASS 1A DIVISION I
THE FAVORITE: Lapwai (18-4) went wire to wire as the classification’s top-ranked team. The Wildcats are the two-time defending champs and have reached the finals each of the past four years. Another guard-heavy, run-and-gun lineup can blow opponents out of the gym with a class-leading 62.9 ppg.
THE CONTENDER: Potlatch (17-6) was the only Idaho 1A team to trip up Lapwai, handing the Wildcats a 66-49 loss on Jan. 29. The Loggers are just 1-2 vs. the state favorites, but their big lineup and tough defense (40.1 ppg) give them the tools for another upset.
THE DARK HORSE: Valley (18-4) returns one of the state’s top players and toughest matchups in 6-6 senior Zane Mussmann (17.7 ppg, 13.6 rebounds). He’s capable of putting the Vikings, last year’s runner-up, on his back and carrying them back to the Idaho Center.
CLASS 1A DIVISION II
THE FAVORITE: Lighthouse Christian (23-0) enters as the state’s only undefeated team, and no one has shown they can hang with the Lions. They have won 21 of their 23 games by 10 or more points. And Lighthouse Christian leads the state in scoring, regardless of classification, at 69.4 points per game after topping the 80-point mark six times.
THE CONTENDER: The record for Genesis Prep (15-8) won’t jump out. But the schedule for the private school and two-time defending state champ is regularly one of the toughest in Idaho. Carroll College signee Jonny Hillman leads the backcourt and the 6-9 Kon Ajang anchors the paint, making the Jaguars a tough matchup at the state’s smallest level.
THE DARK HORSE: Garden Valley (19-5) enters unranked and as one of the youngest teams in the tournament. But it won’t face any ranked teams on its side of the bracket, and sophomore Covy Kelly (21.8 ppg, 6.0 rebounds, 3.4 steals, 2.2 assists) can keep the Wolverines in any game.
This story was originally published February 27, 2019 at 6:26 PM.
