Class 5A
Boise BravesRecord: 16-7
State seed: District III runner-up
Coach: Kim Brydges, ninth season
Players to watch: G Megan Lee, jr.; F Issy Hadden, so.; G Hanna Orton, so.; F Natasha Dacic, sr.
Notes: The Braves had arguably the biggest win of the district tournament when they upended previously unbeaten Rocky Mountain in the semifinals. ... Boise starts two sophomores, two juniors and a senior, and their chemistry has steadily improved throughout the season. ... 6-0 freshman Mandy Simpson provides an energetic spark off the bench.
Capital Eagles
Record: 14-9
State seed: District III fourth place
Coach: Blas Telleria Jr., eighth season
Players to watch: G Khadija Neumeyer, sr.; F Delaney Sauer, sr.
Notes: Fifth-seeded Capital lost by two points to Boise in the district opener, and then fought its way into the state tournament by knocking off second-seeded Centennial in an elimination game. ... Four starters and eight lettermen overall are back from last year’s team, which advanced to the state semifinals.
Coeur d’Alene Vikings
Record: 20-2
State seed: District I-II champion
Coach: Dale Poffenroth, 10th season
Players to watch: F Sydney Williams, sr.; F Brittany Tackett, sr.; G Madison Sumner, sr.
Notes: Only losses this season have came to Lewiston (49-46 in overtime) and to Hoover of North Canton, Ohio, in the Diamond State Classic on Dec. 27 in Wilmington, Del. ... Coeur d’Alene has played in the state title game in seven of the last eight years, winning in 2008, ’09 and ’10 and has brought home a trophy from state in all nine appearances under Poffenroth.
Highland Rams
Record: 18-3
State seed: District V-VI champion
Coach: Tony Green, fourth season
Players to watch: G Makenzie Van Sickle, sr.; G/F Maren Herrud, jr.
Notes: After taking third a year ago, Highland returns to the state tournament for the seventh straight time. ... In Green’s tenure, the Rams have won the last four district titles.
Hillcrest Knights
Record: 20-4
State seed: District V-VI runner-up
Coach: Cody Jackson, second season
Players to watch: G Jasmine Jones, sr.; F Lindsay Cook, so.; G Makell Skidmore, jr.
Notes: The Knights make their first state tournament appearance since 2008, when they were in the 4A classification. … Hillcrest has not won a state trophy since taking second in 4A in 2007. … Hillcrest has won 13 of its last 15 games and was the only eastern Idaho 5A school to defeat Highland this year. … Three of the Knights’ four losses came to district champion Highland and the other to Pocatello.
Lewiston Bengals
Record: 20-3
State seed: District I-II runner-up
Coach: Pat Teichmer, 10th season
Players to watch: F Emilee Schlader; F Brett Hastings; F Halle White; G Lynzee Wilson.
Notes: The Bengals are looking to win their third state title in the past four years. They missed state last year, but return with a squad capable of making another run at the title. There’s a chance they could face league rival Coeur d’Alene in the title game. Last year’s final came down to a pair of 5A Inland Empire League teams, with the Vikings losing to Post Falls.
Mountain View Mavericks
Record: 17-5
State seed: District III champion
Coach: Connie Skogrand, 11th season
Players to watch: PG Destiny Slocum, so.; G Kayla Anderson, fr.; F Renee Routhier, jr.
Notes: The Mavericks can put up points in a hurry with sharp outside shooting. ... Junior guard Alyssa Case played for Filer last season, helping the Wildcats finish second in the 3A state tournament. ... Mountain View starts just one senior (forward Josie Hardy), and gets strong minutes from freshman guard Abby Kreiser off the bench.
Rocky Mountain Grizzlies
Record: 22-1
State seed: District III third place
Coach: Emery Roy, second season
Players to watch: PG Madi Kelly, sr.; G Noelle Aragon, sr.; G Carson Pickett, sr.; F Megan Hochstein, sr.
Notes: The Grizzlies dominated 5A SIC opponents during the regular season, winning by an average of 28 points per game. ... A loss to Boise in the district semifinals cost Rocky a shot at a perfect season. ... The Grizzlies have scored 60 or more points 16 times this season, including a high of 77 points.
Class 4A
Burley BobcatsRecord: 15-9
State seed: District IV runner-up
Coach: Roger Caresia, fourth season
Players to watch: F Chelsee Baker, sr.; G Kortney Hutchison, so.
Notes: The Bobcats make state for the second year in a row. Caresia was an assistant coach on Burley's 2007 state championship team, and was also the head coach of Valley's boys' 2A state title winner in 2001. ... Seven of Burley's nine losses were to state-qualifying teams, including four to District IV champ Twin Falls.
Century Diamondbacks
Record: 17-5
State seed: District V-VI champion
Coach: Chris Shuler, fifth season
Players to watch: F Henny Hearn, jr.; G Sarah Holt, jr.
Notes: Century starts four juniors and one sophomore and does not have a senior in its regular rotation. ... Since the the Fifth and Sixth districts combined in 2013, the D-backs have won both district titles. ... Hearn, a 6-foot-2 post, has drawn college interest from the likes of Loyola Marymount and Lehigh.
Middleton Vikings
Record: 16-7
State seed: District III second place
Coach: Andy Jones, 12th season
Players to watch: F D’Rae Tullock, sr.; F Allison Cossins, sr.
Notes: Qualified for its eighth straight state tournament. Played in five straight state championships, winning four, between 2008-12 before winning the consolation title last year. ... Had its streak of five straight district championships snapped by Skyview last week. ... Tullock, a two-time, first-team All-Idaho selection, has drawn the interest of several Division-I programs and is averaging 15.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game while shooting 47 percent from the floor.
Nampa Bulldogs
Record: 15-9
State seed: District III third place
Coach: Cam Long, 10th season
Players to watch: F Danielle Jardine, jr.; F Raquel Jardine, jr.
Notes: Returns four starters from last year’s state tournament team, including first-team All-Idaho post Danielle Jardine (16 ppg, 12 rebounds). … Jardine pairs with her twin sister, Raquel Jardine (6.6 ppg, 6.1 rebounds), to give the Bulldogs a tough pair in the post. ... Only two seniors on the roster. ... 13-4 in its last 17 games with all four losses coming to No. 1 Skyview. ... Searching for its first state title in school history.
Pocatello Indians
Record: 13-10
State seed: District V-VI runner-up
Coach: Brock Gunter, first season
Players to watch: G Carly Parker, jr.; G Paige Durrant, sr.; F Brooke Pierce, sr.
Notes: The Indians fought through a tumultuous offseason that saw Gunter take over just weeks before the season started after Laraine Cook was fired under controversial circumstances. ... After not qualifying since 2008, Pocatello has made it to state for the second straight year.
Sandpoint Bulldogs
Record: 13-7
State seed: District I-II champion
Coach: Bill Bender, second season
Players to watch: G Hailey Olin, sr.; G Madison Schoening, so.
Notes: The Bulldogs won their first regional title since 1982, and are back at state for the first time since 2004.
Skyview Hawks
Record: 22-1
State seed: District III champion
Coach: Cindy Pasta, 18th season
Players to watch: F Leah Bonnner, sr.,; PG Bailey Pasta, sr.
Notes: Unanimously ranked No. 1 in final state media poll. ... Enters on a 22-game winning streak by an average of 22.1 points per game. Its only loss came to Rocky Mountain in the opening game of the season. ... Bonner, a 6-foot forward averaging 18.1 points, 8.8 rebounds, 4.2 steals and 2.7 assists per game, has signed with NCAA Division II Alaska-Anchorage. ... Pasta, the oldest daughter of coach Cindy Pasta, has signed with NAIA Carroll College and is averaging 14.1 points, 4.4 assists and 2.9 steals per game while shooting 82.4 percent from the free-throw line. ... Searching for its first state title in school history. ... Cindy Pasta is the only head coach in school history.
Twin Falls Bruins
Record: 21-2
State seed: District IV champion
Coach: Nancy Jones, seventh season
Players to watch: G Kaitlyn Merritt, sr.; G Regan Harr, jr.
Notes: The Bruins enter state on a 19-game win streak, including a win over 5A tournament qualifier Highland. ... The team is making its fifth state tournament appearance in Jones' tenure. ... The only two losses came against 5A opposition.
Class 3A
Filer WildcatsRecord: 20-3
State seed: District IV champion
Coach: Kody Ketterling, fourth season
Players to watch: G/F Katie Hughes, sr.; F Sarah Sharp, sr.; F Jenna Jarolimek, sr.; G Haley Ackerman, jr.
Notes: The Wildcats lost four key players from last year's state runner-up team but still find themselves back among the contenders. ... Filer enters the tournament on a 15-game win streak, the longest under Ketterling. ... Hughes is state-meet-caliber in shot put and discus, and Sharp has signed to play volleyball at the University of Idaho. ... Under Ketterling, Filer has won the district championship every season. ... The Wildcats' championship appearance last season was the first in program history.
Fruitland Grizzlies
Record: 13-9
State seed: District III runner-up
Coach: Beth Holt, 10th season
Players to watch: F Brooke Teunissen, jr.; F MaKenna Little, jr.; G Hailey Collins, jr.
Notes: Although the Grizzlies did not make the state tournament last season, most of the team has experience playing at the state level in other sports. ... Most recently, Holt has started four juniors and one senior. ... Fruitland was inconsistent early in the season, but has been playing at its best the past month.
Homedale Trojans
Record: 17-5
State seed: District III champion
Coach: Joe Betancourt, second season
Players to watch: C Kaylee Rupp, sr.; G Tory Lane, so.; PG Morgan Nash, jr.
Notes: The Trojans are headed to state for the second year in a row, but hadn’t been before that since 2003. ... Six lettermen, including all five starters, return from last year’s team. ... Half of Homedale’s roster helped the school win a state championship in softball last spring. ... Homedale won its first district title since 1998-99.
Priest River Spartans
Record: 15-7
State seed: District I champion
Coach: Gary Stewart, eighth season
Players to watch: F Jill Weimer, sr.; F Katlyn Summers, jr.; PG Karly Douglas, sr.
Notes: Priest River went 0-2 at state last year ... Spartans are at state for the sixth time in seven years, including a state title in 2010.
Snake River Panthers (defending champions)
Record: 13-9
State seed: District V champion
Coach: Rich Dunn, third season
Players to watch: G Makena Shelley, sr.; G Scout Baldwin, sr.; C Brylie Bair, sr.
Notes: The Panthers enter state after winning their second straight district title. ... Snake River went 7-1 against district competition and 6-8 against all other teams.
Sugar-Salem Diggers
Record: 22-1
State seed: District VI champion
Coach: Crystal Carpenter, second season
Players to watch: F Sierra Spratling, sr.; G Abby Allen, so.; G Ta’Lee Rose, jr.
Notes: The Diggers return to state for the second straight season under coach Carpenter and for the seventh time in the last eight seasons. … Sugar-Salem returns all but one athlete from last year’s team that advanced to the third place game. … The Diggers’ lone loss came to Idaho’s No. 3-ranked 2A team, Firth. ... Sugar-Salem has held opponents to 47 points or fewer.
Teton Redskins
Record: 11-12
State seed: District VI runner-up (play-in winner)
Coach: Shon Kunz, first season
Players to watch: G Heather Smith, sr.; G Brooke Rammell, sr.; F Jenna Abbott, fr.
Notes: Teton has had a milestone year under first year coach Kunz, beginning the year 3-0 for the first time since 2007. … This is the Redskins’ first trip to state since 2009, which was also the last time the Redskins had more than six wins in a season. … Teton also defeated defending 3A state champion Snake River twice and had wins over 2A powers Firth, West Jefferson and North Fremont.
Timberlake Tigers
Record: 16-5
State seed: District I runner-up
Coach: Matt Miller, ninth season
Players to watch: F Jessica Norlander, sr.; PG Allison Kirby, fr.; G Keelie Lawler, fr.
Notes: Timberlake advanced to state for third time in four years ... Tigers have won nine of last 10 games to qualify, including a 58-32 win against Kimberly in state play-in game in McCall.
Class 2A
Cole Valley Christian ChargersRecord: 13-10
State seed: District III runner-up
Coach: Bret Moehlmann, third season
Players to watch: G Madi Holly, jr.; G/F Sierra Rice, sr.
Notes: Qualified for its first state tournament as a 2A program. ... Last reached state in 2000 at the 1A level. … Searching for its first state title. ... Junior guard Madi Holly (11.0 ppg, 2.7 steals) and senior guard/forward Sierra Rice (11.1 ppg, 2.3 steals) give the Chargers two legit scoring options. ... Have held opponents to 29.3 field-goal shooting.
Firth Cougars
Record: 18-5
State seed: District VI champion
Coach: Sharla Cook, 11th season
Players to watch: F Kayla Jensen, sr., F Bailey Nelson, jr.
Notes: Firth returns to state for the first time since 2010 and has not won a state trophy since taking third in 2008. … Firth is the only team in Idaho to have beaten the No. 1 3A team, Sugar-Salem, and No. 1 2A team, Ririe. … The Cougars went undefeated through the district tournament, beating Ririe in the second round and title game. … Firth returns all but one athlete from last year’s 15-8 team.
Grangeville Bulldogs
Record: 18-4
State seed: District I-II champion
Coach: Larson Anderson, 19th season
Players to watch: G Chantel Key, sr.; G Madison Brown, so.; G Hailey Sullivan, so.; F Kaleala Bass, jr.
Notes: The Bulldogs are in the state tournament for the 11th time in the past 12 years, and they’re hoping to improve on last year’s 1-2 showing. ... The long-armed Key specializes in causing turnovers; she is averaging just under nine steals per game. ... Grangeville hasn’t lost to a 2A school this season. Its only setbacks were against 1A-I powers Prairie and Lapwai, and twice to unbeaten Colton, which has won five consecutive Washington state titles.
Melba Mustangs
Record: 15-9
State seed: District III third-place (play-in winner)
Coach: Darrin Shindle, fifth season
Players to watch: G Sierra Manzer, jr.; G Janey Reeves, sr.; F Kara Leavit, sr.
Notes: Fourth straight trip to state tournament and winner of the past two consolation titles. It returns four starters from last year’s consolation champion. ... Fields three posts 5-foot-11 or taller. … Searching for its first state title. ... Reeves leads the team with 10.3 ppg, but Leavit (6.6 ppg, 9.5 rebounds) and Manzer (6.3 ppg, 2.2 assists) are also threats.
New Plymouth Pilgrims
Record: 18-4
State seed: District III champion
Coach: Denise Oliver, 13th season
Players to watch: PG Kylee Garrick, sr.; G/F Brittany Verigan, jr.
Notes: Defensive pressure all over the court remains New Plymouth’s trademark as the Pilgrims hold opponents to 33.7 points per game. Four-year starter Kylee Garrick (19 ppg, 6 steals, 4 assists) leads that charge. ...Brittany Verigan (9 ppg, 7 rebounds) and Hailey Ray (7 ppg) give the Pilgrims scoring balance. ...Back to state for the second year in a row after their second straight district title. ...Won their only state title in 2001.
Ririe Bulldogs
Record: 20-4
State seed: District VI runner-up
Coach: Damien Smith, sixth season
Players to watch: F Amy Johnson, sr.; F Madeline Connaughton, sr.; G Sicilee Williams, jr.
Notes: Ririe returns all but three members of last year’s 18-8 team which won the 2A third place trophy, the program’s first trophy since 1983…The Bulldogs finished the regular season 18-2 and became the first Nuclear Conference team to finish conference action 8-0 since the 2007 Butte County team…Ririe’s losses are to state ranked teams Firth and Sugar-Salem…The Bulldogs had won 13 straight before losing to Firth in the district tournament semifinals.
Soda Springs Cardinals
Record: 17-6
State seed: District V champion
Coach: Wade Schvaneveldt, 12th season
Players to watch: G Anndee Neuman sr.; C Markee Kimball jr.; G Kelsey Yamauchi, sr.
Notes: The Cardinals qualified for state for the 12th year in a row and enter as district champs for the third consecutive season. ... Since Dec. 5, Soda Springs has a record of 16-2.
Valley Vikings
Record: 19-5
State seed: District IV champion
Coach: Liz Thomas, fourth season
Players to watch: G Marlee Mussmann, sr.; G Lizzy Henry, sr.
Notes: Valley repeated as District IV champs and returns to state for the second year in a row. … Last year, Valley was two-and-out in the state tournament with losses to Grangeville and Marsing. … The Vikings’ last state tournament win was in 2009, the year they finished runner-up.
Class 1A-I
Challis VikingsRecord: 13-10
State seed: District IV-V-VI runner-up
Coach: Jim Chamberlain, fourth season
Players to watch: G Kaylee Olson, jr.; G Brielle Sheppeard, jr.
Notes: The Vikings make their sixth postseason appearance in seven seasons. … Challis graduated four from last year’s 17-9 team which played in the state consolation game, but went 7-5 in conference action to wrap up the fourth seed for districts. … The Vikings have won four of their last five, including an upset of No. 4 Grace in the district tournament second place game for an automatic berth to state. ... Challis’s last trophy was in 2011 (third place).
Genesee Bulldogs
Record: 18-5
State seed: District II third place (play-in winner)
Coach: Brandon McIntosh, first season
Players to watch: F Sam Moser; G Kaleigh Ranisate.
Notes: The Bulldogs are led by Moser, a feisty forward who refuses to lose. Whenever Genesee is in a drought, look for Moser to take over the game. Ranisate, a sophomore, is the team's leader in scoring at 17 points per game. Entering this year, the Bulldogs had won 22 games the past three years.
Grace Grizzlies
Record: 16-7
State seed: District IV-V-VI third place (play-in winner)
Coach: Kevin Smith, sixth season
Players to watch: F Mackenzie Windley, sr.; G Kate Skinner, sr.
Notes: The Grizzlies are back in the state tournament after fighting through a tough district bracket, eventually defeating Idaho City in a play-in game. ... Grace lost three district games during the regular season, two of them to undefeated Hagerman.
Hagerman Pirates
Record: 23-0
State seed: District IV-V-VI champion
Coach: Dana Bates, first season
Players to watch: G Larissa Knight, sr.; F Aly Sauer, sr.
Notes: Hagerman is the only team to make the girls state tournament with a perfect record. ... Knight is the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,238 points. She broke a 75-year-old scoring record set when girls basketball was played 3-on-3. ... Sauer is a double-double machine, using her 6-foot-4 frame to alter and block shots. She can also step out and hit a 3-pointer, causing matchup problems defensively. ... Point guard Hayley White is an effective distributor and would stand out on most teams, but could be one of the most underrated players in the tournament.
Lapwai Wildcats
Record: 19-3
State seed: District II champion
Coach: Shawn Spencer, 17th season
Players to watch: G Iris Domebo; F Taylor Whitney
Notes: Domebo may be only a freshman, but she may just be the best player in the state at the 1A level. She can take over games for the Wildcats. Lapwai has tons of depth and its posts are underrated. Cyra Cunningham and Taylor Whitney may be as good as any pair of forwards in the state tournament.
Notus Pirates
Record: 13-10State seed: District III champion
Coach: Brad Huter, fifth season
Players to watch: PG Alana Riley, so.; F Gabby Okamura, so.; G Jacylinn Parra, so.
Notes: Enters the state tournament on a 10-game winning streak. ... The Pirates’ top four leading scorers are all sophomores. ... Point guard Alana Riley leads the sophomore group with 14.8 points and 4 steals per game. Gabby Okamura (4.8 ppg) tops the team in rebounds at 7 per game. And Jacylinn Para (4.5 ppg) averages 2.4 assists per game.
Prairie Pirates
Record: 18-4State seed: District II runner-up
Coach: Lori Mader, fourth season
Players to watch: F Kyndahl Ulmer; F Kayla Schumacher; G Nicole Wemhoff.
Notes: Prairie has made state four years in a row now. The Pirates’ best player, Ulmer, won a title with Kamiah last year, and the Pirates have the depth to compete for a title this year. Their offense runs through their posts.
Rimrock Raiders
Record: 19-3State seed: District III runner-up
Coach: Bobby Jean Colyer, first season
Players to watch: G Kyla Jewett, sr.; G/F Sami Bachman, sr.; G Desi Meyers, sr.
Notes: Qualified for the state tournament for the second year in a row. ... Went two-and-out at last year’s tournament, and its last state tournament win came in 2006 when the Raiders finished fourth in the 16-team 1A tournament. ... Had a 10-game winning streak snapped in a 44-42 loss to Notus in the District III championship game. ... Two of its three losses came to Notus.
Class 1A-II
Council LumberjacksRecord: 18-5
State seed: District III runner-up
Coach: Rodd Baxter, second season
Players to watch: PG Sierra Schmeckpeper, so.; F Zoe Wessels, so.
Notes: Council hasn’t been to state since 2007, when the tournament featured 16 teams. ... Baxter credits a strong offseason for helping the Lumberjacks improve from last year’s record of 7-12. ... Council’s starting lineup is comprised of three sophomores and two seniors.
Dietrich Blue Devils (defending champion)
Record: 17-5State seed: District IV champion
Coach: Acey Shaw, ninth season
Players to watch: G Jacey Shaw, jr.; G/F Alex Berthelson, sr.; G Nicki Larson, so.
Notes: The three-time defending champions are chasing history, trying to become only the second Idaho girls program to win four straight titles. ... Four of Dietrich’s five losses came in succession in the middle of the season. ... The Blue Devils’ only loss in the last 10 games is to undefeated 1A-I Hagerman. ... Dietrich has just one senior on this year's team, Berthelson.
Kendrick Tigers
Record: 18-6State seed: District II runner-up (play-in winner)
Coach: Ron Ireland, second season
Players to watch: G Abby Smith; G Rebecca Rickert; F Carli Taylor.
Notes: Although the Tigers have several talented players, they will only go as far as standout Abby Smith will carry them. Perhaps one of the best players in the classification, Smith can cut to the rim, shoot from distance and isn’t afraid to play defense. She averaged nearly a double-double per game this season and captains a Kendrick team that brought back nearly all of its key players from its runner-up finish at state last season.
Lighthouse Christian Lions
Record: 11-9State seed:
Coach: Tia Killoy, first season
Players to watch: F Jackie van Vliet, jr.; F Brooklyn Vander Stelt, sr.; G Parris Gomez, jr.
Notes: Lighthouse Christian can score in bunches, but the Lions are not very deep. That could provoke a few questions of the team should they reach a trophy game. ... Much of the Lions’ scoring is predicated on Gomez's shooting and using interior size to scoop up rebounds and putbacks. ... This is the first state tournament appearance in program history, but a number of players participated in the school's back-to-back volleyball titles.
Mackay Miners
Record: 17-6State seed: District V-VI runner-up (play-in winner)
Coach: Leigh Patterson, first season
Players to watch: G Cheyan James, jr.; F Alex Nelson, sr.; G Chelbee Rosenkrance, jr.
Notes: Mackay makes its seventh state tournament appearance in eight seasons. … Last year’s state third place trophy was the program’s first trophy since 1977. … The Miners’ lone conference losses this season — their first in three years — were to district champion Rockland. … Mackay returns four from last year’s 16-7 team.
Nezperce Indians
Record: 17-3State seed: District II champion
Coach: Dave Snodgrass, fourth season
Players to watch: G Kelsie Seitz; G Kamas Carpenter; G Aleesha Arnzen.
Notes: The Indians, who return to state for the first time since 1992, have three elite scorers in Seitz, Carpenter and Arnzen and a suffocating defense that smothered nearly every opponent in the Whitepine League this season. Nezperce is led by coach Dave Snodgrass, who has been a fixture in Idaho small school girls basketball for several decades.
Rockland Bulldogs
Record: 20-2State seed: District V-VI champion
Coach: Vern Nelson, 17th season
Players to watch: F Savanah Farr, sr.; G Stefani McClanahan, so.
Notes: The Bulldogs enter state on a 17-game winning streak, outscoring opponents by more than 18 points per contest. ... In late January, senior forward Savanah Farr became the first Rockland girl to score over 1,000 points in school history.
Tri-Valley Titans
Record: 17-2State seed: District III champion
Coach: KyLee Morris, fourth season
Players to watch: F Victoria Branch, sr.; PG Skye Southwick, sr.; F Hillary Hollon, sr.
Notes: Tri-Valley has won four district titles in a row during Morris’ tenure, and the Titans have lost in the state consolation game two years running. ... The Titans are a co-op of Cambridge and Midvale high schools, which are separated by about 8 miles.
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