Basketball Whip-Around: Rockland, Watersprings still on collision course, with Mackay very much in play

EASTERN IDAHO — The Watersprings Warriors and Rockland Bulldogs played to decide the district last season. And they are on a collision course for a massive regular-season showdown next week at Rockland High School.

The Warriors (12-1, 4-0) continue to handle their business, staying undefeated in conference play with a dominant performance at home Tuesday night against Grace Lutheran (8-3, 1-3). The Bulldogs (12-2, 5-0) did their part as well, with an even more overpowering effort against North Gem (3-9, 1-4).

Mackay (14-1, 4-0) also kept things rolling, with an 11-point victory over Sho-Ban (6-3, 2-2). The Miners’ only loss this year came against 4A Marsh Valley’s JV squad. They will be at Taylor’s Crossing (6-6, 2-2) Thursday.

Grace Lutheran @ Watersprings

Senior Korban Nelson sits on the cusp of the 1,000-point mark, and continues to lead the Warriors, whose only loss this season came on the road against 3A West Jefferson.

Watersprings handed the Royals a 64-28 beating Tuesday night.

Grace Lutheran remains in the hunt for a conference crown, but will need to start stacking some conference wins. They host American Heritage (4-5, 0-3) Thursday night.

The Warriors will be at Leadore (7-6, 2-3) Thursday, with a trip to Mackay waiting just around the corner on Saturday.

Rockland @ North Gem

The Bulldogs have now held their opponents to 18 points or fewer in three of their last four games, but, as head coach Shae Neal said, the real tests await.

Rockland held the Cowboys to single-digits in all four quarters of a 68-18 victory in North Gem, and have outscored conference foes by a combined 316 to 127.

They were led by junior Brayzen Gibbs, with 16 points. Senior Isaac Held finished with eight points and eight rebounds while Ethan Permann kicked in 12 points.

North Gem was paced by junior William Wakley and senior Craig Yost, with seven points apiece.

The Cowboys will be at the Sho-Ban Chief Thursday, in a battle of teams looking to remain in the hunt.

Rockland will be at Dietrich Thursday. Visits from Watersprings and Challis — last year’s state 1A runner-up — and a trip to Mackay span one week beginning next Thursday.