5A All-Idaho boys basketball team: The 10 best players in Idaho’s largest class
BOYS FIRST TEAM
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: ELLIS MAGNUSON, BORAH
Why he is player of the year: The 6-foot-1 senior was a true point guard for the state champs. He made running the Lions’ offense look easy, even with his breakneck speed and dazzling passes. He led 5A with 5.8 assists per game while adding 10.8 points and 2.3 steals.
Coach’s comment: “(He was) our unquestioned leader this year. (He) could have scored more points per game but would rather get others involved,” Borah coach Jeremy Dennis said.
What others are saying: “Ellis is the best passer I have ever seen. His court vision is unreal,” Centennial coach Josh Aipperspach said.
What’s next: Magnuson has verbally committed to a full-ride scholarship to Eastern Washington. He’s the only Idaho senior headed to a Division I men’s program this year.
[Related: Full all-state boys and girls basketball teams in every classification]
AUSTIN BOLT, BORAH
His never-ending motor allowed the 6-4 junior forward to average a double-double for the second straight year. He poured in 14.8 points and 11.0 rebounds per game for the state champ, graduating from the second team a year ago to the first team.
SPENCER HATHAWAY, MADISON
The 6-4 senior wing posed a matchup problem night in and night out. His long-range shooting and ability to mix it up in the paint allowed him to lead the state runner-up with 14.6 points per game. He also added 4.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists a night.
BRIGGS RANSTROM, ROCKY MOUNTAIN
A leader on and off the court, the 6-7 junior wing stuffed every column of the stat sheet, averaging 13.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.2 blocks. He did all that while drawing the toughest defensive assignment no matter the position.
COLBY GENNETT, POST FALLS
The only returning starter for Post Falls, the 6-3 junior guard led the Trojans in points (13.6 per game) and rebounds (5.2). He also defended all five positions and added 3.4 assists and 3.1 steals to lead his team to the third-place trophy.
COACH OF THE YEAR: JEREMY DENNIS, BORAH
He led the Lions to their 12th state title, the most for any boys basketball program in Idaho.
SECOND TEAM
Player | School | Height | Year | Position | Stats |
Tanner Hayhurst | Eagle | 6-6 | Junior | Guard | 18.0 ppg, 6.1 reb, 1.7 ast |
Townsend Tripple | Rocky Mtn | 6-7 | Junior | Wing | 9.4 ppg, 4.9 reb, 1.9 blk |
Britton Berrett | Rigby | 6-3 | Junior | Guard | 12.8 ppg, 4.1 reb, 3.4 ast |
Jaden Schwab | Madison | 6-0 | Senior | Guard | 7.0 ppg, 4.3 reb, 2.5 ast, 1.9 stl |
Tanoa Togiai | Rigby | 6-6 | Junior | Center | 11.2 ppg, 7.8 reb |
This story was originally published March 28, 2019 at 2:22 PM.