First look at the girls basketball state tournaments. Here’s what you need to know

Note: Preview capsules written by sports writers throughout the state and compiled by the Idaho Statesman.

The girls basketball state tournaments begin Thursday, with trophy games played on Saturday. Here’s a look at all 48 teams competing for coveted championships.

6A

BOISE BRAVE

Record: 16-9

State seed: #7, District 3 runner-up

Coach: Seth Newville, first season

Players to watch: G Libby Nelson, sr.; F Nya Pellant-Latham, jr.; G Olivia Chatfield, sr.; G Ashlyn Waldram, jr.

Notes: Defending state runner-up. … Returns to state for ninth straight year, the longest active streak in 6A. … Brought home a state trophy six years in a row, tied with Prairie (2A) for the longest active streak across all classifications. … Started the year 0-3 after returning zero starters and closed the regular season 4-4 before mounting a run to the district title game as the tournament’s No. 5 seed. … Unranked in the final state coaches’ poll. … 3-7 vs. 6A state qualifiers. … No. 8 offense (51.4 ppg) and No. 11 defense (43.8 ppg) in 6A. … Pellant-Latham leads the team in scoring (14.1 ppg) and rebounds (7.5). … Nelson (13.3 ppg, 6.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 2.4 steals) serves as Boise’s emotional leader and floor general. She teams with
Chatfield (8.4 ppg) to give the Brave a potent pair of 3-point shooters. … Nelson (Saint Martin’s, Wash.) and Chatfield (Providence, Mont.) have both committed to college basketball programs. … Won three state titles (2005, 2002, 1978).

BORAH LIONS

Record: 20-5

State seed: #5, District 3 fifth place

Coach: Ebony Norman, fourth season

Players to watch: G Kya Davis, jr.; G Brinley Chase, so.; G Tessa Orcutt, sr.; G Abi Howington, sr.

Notes: Returns all five starters and all but one player from last year’s state consolation champion, the program’s first trophy since 2006. … Ranked No. 5 in the final state coaches’
poll. … 3-3 vs. 6A state qualifiers. … No. 2 defense (34.3 ppg) and No. 9 offense (50.3 ppg) in 6A. … Went 2-2 at district, avenging a first-round upset with a 46-30 win over Rocky Mountain in a winner-to-state, loser-out game. … Davis leads the team in points (14.0), rebounds (6.3), assists (3.0), steals (1.5) and blocks (1.4). She was a second-team All-Idaho selection last year
as a sophomore. … Chase (8.4 ppg, 5.8 rebounds), Orcutt (7.0 ppg) and Howington (6.9 ppg) give the Lions balanced scoring options. … Won four state titles (2001, 1999, 1997, 1979). … Last reached the semifinals in 2018, and last reached the finals in 2005.

COEUR D’ALENE VIKINGS

Record: 21-2

State seed: #4, District 1 champ

Coach: Stacy Boyd, second season

Players to watch: G Brookeslee Colvin, jr.; G Karisa Wallis, sr.; G Natalie Semprimoznik, sr.; G
Lexie Wheeler, so.

Notes: Vikings are at state for the fourth straight year and sixth time in seven seasons. …
Enters state on a 15-game win streak. … Colvin has nearly 30 offers, including from N.C. State, Iowa and Mississippi State. … Colvin, who averages 30.7 points, 7.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game, recently broke Madi Symons’ career program scoring record (1,461 points) in Game 2 of the district championship series, scoring a school-record 44 points. Colvin heads into state
with 1,465 career points. … Wallis has signed to play at Montana’s Providence (NAIA). … Semprimoznik has signed with California’s Westmont College (NCAA Division II). … Beat seventh-seeded Boise 50-48 in the season opener. … Losses this season have come to Eagle (Dec. 4) and Washington’s Deer Park (Dec. 11). … Colvin was a freshman when Coeur d’Alene last won a state title in 2024, the program’s 11th championship.

EAGLE MUSTANGS

Record: 22-2

State seed: #1, District 3 champ

Coach: Jeremy Munroe, fifth season

Players to watch: G Berkley Jones, jr.; G Taya Nelson, jr.; G Trinity Holsinger, sr.

Notes: Second straight trip to state after going two-and-out last season. … Enters on a nine-game winning streak. … Fell two points short of triggering the running-clock mercy run in all three games at its district tournament. … Ranked No. 3 in the final state coaches’ poll. … 5-2 vs. 6A state qualifiers. … No. 2 offense (62.3 ppg) and No. 4 defense (38.1 ppg) in 6A. …
Shoots 34% as a team on 3-pointers, averaging 6.7 makes per game. … Jones leads the team in points (22.8), rebounds (6.2) and steals (2.4) while shooting 60% from the floor and 46% on 3-pointers. She holds 13 Division I offers and was a first-team All-Idaho selection last year as a sophomore. She’s twice broken the program’s single-game scoring record this season, including a 42-point performance in the district semifinals. … Nelson (12.3 ppg, 4.9 rebounds, 2.0 steals) was another sophomore who started on last year’s state tournament team. … Holsinger (9.8 ppg, 4.1 assists) signed with Liberty (NCAA Division I) and was a first-team 2A All-Idaho selection as a sophomore at Cole Valley Christian. She sat out last year after transferring to Eagle. … Last won a first-round game and a state tournament trophy (third place) in 2020. …
Won its only state title in 2019 and reached the finals four times (2019, 2018, 2017, 1998).

MADISON BOBCATS

Record: 16-9

State seed: #8, District 4-5-6 runner-up

Coach: Luke Sutton, fifth season

Players to watch: G Mia Walsh, sr.; C Aspen Boice, sr.; PF Torey Parker, sr.

Notes: The Bobcats finished fourth in the High Country Conference during the regular season,
but have won four of their past five games, with the only loss coming against unbeaten Rigby in the district tournament. … Madison beat second-seeded Thunder Ridge to earn the state berth. … Second consecutive trip to the state tournament for the Bobcats, who made their first appearance since 2017 last season. … Madison faces top seed Eagle in Thursday’s opener. Eagle beat Madison 56-30 back on Nov. 21. … The Bobcats, seeded No. 6 last season, upset
No. 3 Eagle in last year’s state opener.

MIDDLETON VIKINGS

Record: 19-4

State seed: #3, District 3 third/fourth place

Coach: Marianne Blackwell, third season

Players to watch: G Zoey Blackwell, sr.; G/W Dawn Holman, so.; F Megan Stewart, jr.; W Miley Steele, sr.

Notes: Defending 5A state runner-up. … Voluntarily petitioned up to the 6A classification this season. … Tied with Rigby for No. 1 in the final state coaches’ poll. … Played the toughest schedule in Idaho across all classifications, according to MaxPreps. … 5-1 vs. 6A state qualifiers. … Won 12 of its last 13 games. … Undefeated in conference regular season (12-0),
but was upset by Boise in the district semifinals. … No. 3 offense (60.2 ppg) and No. 6 defense (40.6 ppg) in 6A. … Zoey Blackwell leads the team in points (13.1), assists (3.7) and steals (3.1). She has signed with Wyoming and was a first-team All-Idaho pick in the 5A classification last year. … Holman (10.6 ppg) is the only other player to average double figures, but the Vikings feature one of the state’s deepest lineups with four additional players averaging five or more points. … Third straight trip to state, and 20th appearance in the past 23 years. … Won five state titles at what is now called the 5A level. The last was in 2017.

RIGBY TROJANS

Record: 23-0

State seed: #2, District 4-5-6 champ

Coach: Todd Barber, fifth season

Players to watch: G Kinzley Larsen, sr.; W Brinley Larsen, jr.; W Lauren Burnside, sr.

Notes: Rigby enters the state tournament unbeaten and seeded second behind Eagle. … The Trojans won the district title for a fourth straight year, and are in the state tournament for the eighth straight season. … They’ve outscored opponents by nearly 25 points, and they own the top scoring defense in 6A (34.8 ppg). … Conference Player of the Year, guard Kinzley Larsen,
is an Alaska Anchorage signee and leads the team at 15.7 points and 2.1 steals. … Brinley Larsen averages 10.3 points and 4.2 rebounds, while Bailey Barber averages 10.3 points and 4.2 rebounds. Burnside leads with 8.1 rebounds per game. … Rigby faces Boise in Thursday’s first-round game. The teams have recent history, with Rigby losing to No. 1 Boise in the 2024 third-place game and then losing to Boise in last year’s tournament opener. … Rigby beat Boise
49-38 in this year’s season opener.

TIMBERLINE WOLVES

Record: 20-5

State seed: #6, District 3 third/fourth place

Coach: Andy Jones, eighth season

Players to watch: F Emmi Swillie, sr.; F Lexi Moore, sr.; F Fanci Sackett, jr.; G Gabi Iglesias,
sr.

Notes: Returns to state after a two-year absence. … 7-3 in its final 10 games as injuries and illness thinned the Wolves’ lineup. … Unranked in the final state coaches’ poll. … 1-4 vs. 6A state qualifiers. … No. 1 defense (32.2 ppg) and No. 6 offense (51.5 ppg) in 6A. … Swillie stands 6-foot-2 and leads the team in points (11.5), rebounds (7.4) and field-goal percentage
(52). She has signed with Cal State San Marcos (NCAA Division II) after missing her junior season with an injury. … Moore (10.8 ppg) and Sackett (5.6 ppg, 5.0 rebounds) give Timberline a strong front court that takes advantage of the attention Swillie demands. … Won two state titles (2022, 2003) and played in five championship games. … Jones ranks second all-time among Idaho basketball coaches with seven state titles, trailing only Emery Roy (nine). He’s
won titles at Timberline, Middleton and Caldwell.

5A STATE TOURNAMENT

BISHOP KELLY KNIGHTS

Record: 15-7

State seed: #7, District 3 champ

Coach: Derek McCormick, 18th season

Players to watch: G Julia Baerlocher, jr., F Aubree McCarthy, sr., F Reagan Williams, jr.

Notes: Fifth straight year at state tournament. … Went two-and-out at state last year. … Consolation champs in 2024 and third place in 2023. … Last won a state title in 2013. … Lost its entire starting lineup from last season, which led to a 3-7 start before dominating conference play with a 12-0 record. … Baerlocher is the only returning player from last year’s state qualifier. … Defeated Columbia in the district championship for the third title in the last four years. … Currently on a 12-game win streak. … 3-2 vs 5A state qualifiers. … Top defense in 5A 37.7 ppg.

BLACKFOOT BRONCOS

Record: 19-4

State seed: #3, District 6 champ

Coach: Raimee Odum, sixth season

Players to watch: G Oakley Talbot, fr.; G Lexi Jackman, so.; G Jaci Capson, sr.

Notes: Talbot is a freshman but leads the Broncos at 14.7 points per game, while sophomore Jackman averages 11.1 points and 3.6 rebounds. … Senior Lauren Christiansen leads in rebounds (5.2), steals (2.3) and blocks (0.3), while shooting 40%. … The Broncos cruised through the 5A High Country Conference unbeaten and have won nine straight games entering the state tournament. … They will face conference foe Hillcrest in the opening round
after beating the Knights all three times during the season, including in the district tournament final. … Hillcrest did take Blackfoot to double-overtime back on Jan. 15, but the Broncos prevailed 46-41. … The Broncos missed the state tournament in 2024, snapping a streak of five straight appearances, but returned last year to advance to the 5A third-place game. … Blackfoot
last won a state title in 2021.

COLUMBIA WILDCATS

Record: 14-8

State seed: #8, District 3 runner-up

Coach: Neal Robertson, eighth season

Players to watch: G Gabby Nabors, sr., G Yani Lincoln, sr., G Bailey Robertson, so.

Notes: At state for fourth time in last six years after making its first appearance in 2021. … 0-3 against 5A state qualifiers, all against Bishop Kelly. … Has not played a team outside of District 3 this season. … Began the season 3-6 but has won 11 of its last 13 games. … No. 3 defense
in 5A (41.2 ppg).

HILLCREST KNIGHTS

Record: 15-10

State seed: #6, play-in winner

Coach: Ryan Taylor, second season

Players to watch: G Kaia Kesler, jr.; G Camryn Taylor, jr.

Notes: Hillcrest beat Mountain Home in the state play-in game to earn its first state berth since 2019. … The Knights lost their first five games of the season, but started to gel and won the TitleOne Tip-Off Classic tournament. … The Knights have gone 10-5 since the slow start, losing three times to conference champion Blackfoot, once to 6A power Rigby, and once to Idaho Falls. … They had to go to double overtime to beat Skyline and advance to the state play-in game. … Kesler, who finished with 24 points in the play-in win over Mountain Home, is the “motor” that makes Hillcrest move, Taylor said. … Hillcrest gets another matchup with Blackfoot on Thursday when the two meet for the fourth time on Day 1.

JEROME TIGERS

Record: 15-8

State seed: #5, District 4 champ

Coach: Kelly Williams, fourth season

Players to watch: G Jensen Cook, sr.; G/PG Sawyer Garrard, so.; G Ellie Helmer, sr.

Notes: Third straight state tournament appearance and fourth since 2010. … Defending consolation champ. … Has not won a first-round game since 2010, when it finished third. … 1-0 vs. 5A state qualifiers (Bishop Kelly). … Cook made IdahoSports’ 5A all-state tournament first team last year, and Garrard was a third-team pick. … No returning All-Idaho players. … Averaging 49.5 points per game while allowing 44.4. … Enters on a five-game winning streak. … Unranked in the final state coaches’ poll.

LAKELAND HAWKS

Record: 18-4

State seed: #1, District 1-2 champ

Coach: Caelyn Caulfield, second season

Players to watch: F Jaeli Hoffman, fr.; F Macy Bretveld, jr.; G Karstyn Kiefer, sr.; G Presley Fagan, jr.

Notes: At state for first time since 2024, when the Hawks advanced to semifinals, then fell to Pocatello in third-place game. … Won six of its last seven games, with the lone loss coming at home to Coeur d’Alene, 75-64, on Jan. 27. … Hoffman is averaging 16 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. … Kiefer, the team’s lone senior, is averaging 10.5 points and 5.1 assists per game. … Bretveld is averaging 10.4 points per game. … Fagan, a Lake City High transfer, is averaging 9.5 points and 1.5 assists per game. … Lakeland is seeking the program's first state title since winning the 2002 in what’s now the 4A classification, when the Hawks went back-to-back. … Beat second-seeded Sandpoint all three times the 5A Inland Empire League rivals have played
this season.

POCATELLO THUNDER

Record: 16-7

State seed: #4, District 5 champ

Coach: Sunny Evans, seventh season

Players to watch: G Abby Lusk, sr.; G Brynlee Pool, jr.; P Madysen Torngren, so.

Notes: Defending state champion after capturing the first state title in program history a year ago. … Only Lusk and fellow senior Oakley Hirschi, who wasn't a starter, returned from that championship team. … That didn’t stop the Thunder from winning district and making state for the fourth year in a row. … Won seven of its last eight games, with its only loss during that stretch coming to Rigby, the lone undefeated team in 6A. … Only one of Pocatello’s seven losses this season has come to a team within the classification (Lakeland). … Lusk, a Gonzaga signee, is the reigning 5A All-Idaho Player of the Year. The senior guard is the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,494 career points and also has 819 rebounds, 260 assists and 252
steals in her career.

SANDPOINT BULLDOGS

Record: 19-5

State seed: #2, District 1-2 runner-up

Coach: Madi Schoening, first season

Players to watch: G Brecken Mire, jr.; G/F Jordyn Tomco, jr.; G Livia Driggs, jr.

Notes: Sixth state tournament appearance in the last seven years. … Went 0-2 at state last season. … Won the only state title in school history in 2023. … 6-0 vs. Greater Spokane League schools. … Three losses were against No. 1 seed Lakeland, including 77-73 defeat in the district championship. … Mire is a 5-foot-10 guard who is receiving heavy collegiate interest. She is also returning second-team all-state selection and the reigning 5A IEL Player of the Year. She recently surpassed the 1,000-point milestone during the district tournament. … Tomco is a 5-foot-8 guard/forward combo who is committed to Alaska Anchorage (NCAA Division II) and is 87 points away from 1,000 career points. … Driggs is a 5-foot-8 guard and the team’s biggest 3-point threat. … Hit seven 3-pointers in the regular-season finale at Lewiston. … Coached by Madi Schoening, a 2016 graduate and former University of Montana standout who ranks as the No. 2 all-time scorer in program history.

4A STATE TOURNAMENT

BEAR LAKE BEARS

Record: 20-4

State seed: #2, District 5 champ

Coach: Ken Wells, third season

Players to watch: P Halle Wells, jr.; G KortLyn Skinner, sr.; P Peyten Crockett, sr.

Notes: The Bears are last year's state runner-up and have played in back-to-back state championship games, winning a title in 2024. … Boasts the best defense in 4A (32.8 ppg) and the third-best offense (53.5 ppg). … All but two of its wins have come by double figures, beating opponents by nearly 21 points per game. … On a 12-game winning streak. … Only losses have come to top-seeded and defending state champion Sugar-Salem (twice), Syracuse (Utah), and reigning 3A state runner-up Malad — a team the Bears also defeated. … The Bears also own a win over 5A’s No. 3 seed, Blackfoot. … Wells, a two-time all-state selection, is averaging a near a double-double with 16.3 points and 9.9 rebounds per game to go with 3.3 assists, 2.4 steals and 2.9 blocks per contest.

FILER WILDCATS

Record: 17-4

State seed: #7, District 4 runner-up

Coach: Karen Hoem, second season

Players to watch: G Tanli LeMoyne, sr.; G Aubrey Westin, sr.; F Brekk Bowman, jr.

Notes: Sixth state tournament appearance in last seven seasons. … Best result in the last seven years was a third-place trophy in 2021. … Won its only state title in 2014, and played in its only other championship game in 2013. … 0-3 vs. 4A state qualifiers, losing three games
against Kimberly by an average of 23.3 points. … Unranked in the final state coaches’ poll. … Averaging 45.8 points per game while allowing 40.5 points.

FRUITLAND GRIZZLIES

Record: 17-6

State seed: #5, District 3 champ

Coach: Willie Lake, third season

Players to watch: G Payson Bratcher, so.; G Mollie Colkins, jr.; F Kennedy Fitch, so.; G Madison Hillman, sr.

Notes: Back at state for the third year in a row, and the Grizzlies are looking to break through for a first-round win for the first time since 2003. … Most recent state trophy was a consolation title in 2015, and the Grizzlies have never won a state championship. … Ranked fourth in the final state coaches’ poll. … Lost back-to-back conference games to end the regular season before winning three straight to claim their second district title in a row. … Bratcher leads the Grizzlies in scoring (10.8), assists (2.8) and free-throw percentage (85%). … Collins averages9.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game, while Fitch contributes 8.5 points and 9.0 rebounds. … Hillman, the only senior on the roster, averages 5.8 points and 3.5 rebounds.

KIMBERLY BULLDOGS

Record: 12-11

State seed: #8, District 4 champ

Coach: Scott Plew, fourth season

Players to watch: G Taya Plew, jr.; F Ady Osborne, jr.; G Brooklyn VerWey, so.

Notes: Making third straight tournament appearance. … Unbeaten in conference for the second season in a row. … Back-to-back SCIC champions. … Won its only state title in 1984 and last reached the finals in 1986. … Last first-round win at state was in 2017. … Taya Plew is the daughter of head coach Scott Plew. … Taya Plew was a first-team all-state selection as a sophomore last year and is the SCIC’s reigning player of the year. She surpassed 1,000 career points in the district title game, scoring 26 points in the win. … 3-3 vs. 4A state qualifiers. All three wins were vs. Filer. … 0-2 against Sugar-Salem (losses by 22 and 25). … No. 4 offense in 4A (47.1 ppg). … Started the season 0-5 as Taya Plew missed four games. … Unranked in the final state coaches’ poll.

MARSH VALLEY EAGLES

Record: 20-6

State seed: #4, play-in winner

Coach: Ashley Baker, fourth season

Players to watch: G Tayzlee Belnap, sr.; F Olivia Campbell, sr.; C Zayli Merzlock, jr.

Notes: Returns to state and holds a winning record for the first time in five years. … This is the program’s most wins since playing for the state title in 2016. … The turnaround is even more impressive considering the Eagles went just 2-21 two seasons ago — their worst season in more than two decades. … Owns a top-five defense in the classification at 37.0 points per
game. … Four of its six losses have come against No. 2 seed Bear Lake. … Belnap, a reigning all-state selection, eclipsed 1,000 career points this season. … The program's last state title came in 2012, and it also won back-to-back championships in 2004 and 2005. Baker played on both of those teams.

SUGAR-SALEM DIGGERS

Record: 23-0

State seed: #1, District 6 champ

Coach: Crystal Dayley, 14th season

Players to watch: G Andee Petterson, jr.; F Kalena Dayley, so.; G Tasha Larsen, sr.

Notes: The Diggers missed the state tournament in 2024 and have been on a mission since. … Sugar-Salem enters the state tournament riding a 49-game win streak and looking for a repeat title. … Last year’s roster was senior heavy, but this year’s team, with just three returning players, gets contributions from everyone, coach Crystal Dayley said earlier this season when
the Diggers handled 5A state qualifier Blackfoot 51-26. … Petterson is back, leading the team with 17.1 points, 7.1 assists and 3.8 steals per game. … Dayley and fellow sophomore Sorelle Clark, along with senior Brinley Bradshaw, each average more than six rebounds per game. … No. 1 offense (60.1 ppg) and No. 3 defense (36.9 ppg) in 4A. … The Diggers open with Kimberly, whom they beat twice during the regular season.

TIMBERLAKE TIGERS

Record: 14-6

State seed: #3, District 1 champ

Coach: Matt Miller, 21st season

Players to watch: G Macy Murphey, jr.; G Malia Miller, sr.; F Payton Young, sr; F Sophie Holecek, jr.; F Shea Jones, so.

Notes: At state for 15th time in 18 seasons. … The Tigers have won four state titles, the last in 2021. … Timberlake finished third at state for the second straight year last year. … Murphey, a Lake City High transfer, is averaging 19.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.9 steals per game. … Malia Miller, who has signed with Southern Oregon (NAIA), is averaging 18.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 4.4 steals per game. … Young returned after tearing an ACL early last season, and is averaging 10 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. … Holecek, a Coeur d’Alene High transfer, is averaging 7.7 points and 5 rebounds per game. … Tigers suffered losses early in the season to 5A powers Lakeland and Sandpoint (twice), as well as 2A Lapwai, but later beat Lakeland.

WEISER WOLVERINES

Record: 14-6

State seed: #6, District 3 runner-up

Coach: Laraine Harrison, sixth season

Players to watch: G Ellie Shirts, sr.; F Evie Dolton, sr.; F/P Porter Hart, sr.; G Alyvia Goff, so.

Notes: Back at state after a two-year absence. … Brought home the consolation trophy in 2023 and 2022. … Qualified for the state championship game twice, losing to Bear Lake in 1999 and Kuna in 1990. … Unranked in the final state coaches’ poll. … 1-2 vs. the only 4A state qualifier it faced, Fruitland. … Eleven-player roster includes six seniors. … Shirts leads the Wolverines in scoring (16.5) and also contributes 5.4 rebounds and 5.0 steals per game. … Dolton is the top rebounder (9.4) while adding 8.3 points. … Porter, a charge-taking specialist, averages 8.7 points and 5.9 rebounds, while Goff averages 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game.

3A STATE TOURNAMENT

AMBROSE ARCHERS

Record: 18-5

State seed: #3, District 3 champ

Coach: Kirk Crager, first season

Players to watch: G Annaliese Curran, jr., G Amelia Alexander, so., G Bryley Tadman, so.

Notes: Third state appearance in program history. … Searching for its first state tournament victory. … Won the first district title in program history, defeating New Plymouth. … Won the Western Idaho Conference regular-season title at 8-2. … Won 12 of its last 14 games. … No. 2 offense in 3A (53.3 ppg). … Returns four starters from last season. … Curran (19.5 ppg, 6.4 rebounds, 5.2 steals) joined the school from Spokane this season. … Alexander (16.5 ppg, 4.7 rebounds) is the only other player to average double figures in scoring. … 2-3 against 3A state qualifiers, including 2-1 vs New Plymouth. It lost to Malad and Ririe in December.

GRANGEVILLE BULLDOGS

Record: 17-6

State seed: #5, District 1-2 champ

Coach: Michelle Barger, 11th season

Players to watch: G Caryss Barger, sr.; F Addi Vanderwall, sr.; G Autumn Long, so.; C Ila Wilkinson, sr.

Notes: This is Grangeville’s eighth consecutive appearance at state, and since the year 2000, the Bulldogs have participated in 20 of 26 state tournaments overall. … Barger crossed the 1,000 point mark for her career earlier this season. She has committed to play basketball next season at NCAA Division III Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. … Vanderwall has committed to play basketball at the University of Providence, an NAIA school in Great Falls, Montana. … Grangeville has won eight state championships overall, with the most recent, coming in 2011.

FIRTH COUGARS

Record: 21-5

State seed: #2, District 6 runner-up

Coach: Jana Sorensen, third season

Players to watch: G Shelbie Perry, jr.; F Georgianna Jolley, sr.; G Baylie Mecham, jr.; F Daisha ,Sorensen, fr.; G Ady Park, sr.

Notes: First time at state since finishing third in 2015. … Won two state titles (1987, 2014) and three second-place trophies (1976, 1993, 2007). … 12-2 in 2026 with its only losses coming to state qualifier Ririe. … No. 4 offense (50.9 ppg) and defense (39.8 ppg) in 3A. … Ranked No. 2 in the final state coaches’ poll. … 4-3 against 3A state qualifiers. … 0-2 against 4A state qualifier Bear Lake. … Perry (11.2 ppg), Jolley (11.0 ppg), Sorensen (10.2 ppg), and Mecham (8.8 ppg) lead the way. … Park averages 5.5 ppg. … Perry and Mecham run the backcourt, while Jolley plays the No. 4 and Sorensen is the No. 5. … Likes to run a 1-3-1 midcourt trap.

KELLOGG WILDCATS

Record: 14-10

State seed: #8, District 1-2 runner-up

Coach: Jana Nearing, ninth season

Players to watch: G Gretah Angle, fr.; P Dani Henrikson, sr.; G Peyton Storey, so; G Jordyn Stutzke, jr.

Notes: At state for the second time in three years, and third time in five seasons. … Angle averages 12.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game. … Henrikson, Nearing’s daughter, averages 9.4 points and 9.3 rebounds. … Storey averages 7.6 points and 6.6 rebounds. … Last state trophy came in 2010, when the Wildcats finished second to Priest River. … Wildcats were state runners-up in 2006 and 2010. … Never won a state title. … Angle’s mom (Heather Moore) and Stutzke’s mom (Torrie Heinig) played on Wallace’s 2006 state runner-up team.

MALAD DRAGONS

Record: 21-2

State seed: #1, District 5 champ

Coach: Trevor Jones, fourth season

Players to watch: F Brynnlee Jones, sr.; G Mikell Keetch, sr.; G Izzy Haycock, sr.

Notes: Last year’s state runner-up after losing a heartbreaker to Parma in the title game, ending a 24-game winning streak. … Returned all but one player from that runner-up team, including all-state selections Brynnlee Jones and Haycock. … Won 11 straight games since its only two losses — to Bear Lake, the No. 2 seed in 4A, and Lehi, Utah. … Boasts the best offense in the 3A (57.8 ppg) and the second-best defense (34.5 ppg). … Is beating opponents by an average
of 23.4 points per game. … Still searching for the program's first state title since 1993, which also remains its only one. … Trevor Jones is the younger brother of Preston boys basketball coach Tyler Jones and Rigby boys basketball coach Justin Jones, who have a combined eight state titles between them.

NEW PLYMOUTH PILGRIMS

Record: 16-8

State seed: #6, District 3 runner-up

Coach: Tara Lake, third season

Players to watch: G Hope Hailey, sr., G Maycee Christensen, sr., F Piper Lake, so.

Notes: Second straight state tournament appearance. … Consolation champs last year. … Defeated defending state champ Parma to qualify for state. … Only state title and championship game appearance came in 2001. … Last reached the semifinals in 2021, when it finished third. … 1-2 against 3A state qualifiers, all against Ambrose. … Only played two teams outside of District 3 (Grace, Oakley). … Won 11 of its last 13 games.

RIRIE BULLDOGS

Record: 16-9
State seed: #4, District 6 champ

Coach: Jake Landon, seventh season

Players to watch: F Eden Jensen, jr.; G Lauren Robson, sr.; G Niciah Young, sr.; F McKall Marsh, sr.; F Presley Bybee, jr.; G Lucy Boone sr.; G Tristynn Gallup, jr.

Notes: Returns to state for the 13th time in 14 years, including a two-and-out performance last year. … Lone state title was in 2017. … Four-time runner-up (1983, 2014, 2015, 2018). … Faces Grangeville in the first round for the second straight year after a 51-43 loss last season. … No. 6 offense (49.1 ppg) and No. 5 defense (39.8 ppg) in 3A. … Ranked No. 4 in the final state coaches’ poll. … 3-4 against 3A state qualifiers. … 0-2 against 4A state qualifiers. … Primary offensive weapon Jensen averages 16.7 ppg, 4.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.4 steals while shooting 41% on 3-pointers. … Young (8.2 ppg, 5.4 rebounds, 2.0 steals), Bybee (6.8 ppg, 6.8 rebounds), Gallup (5.7 ppg), Robson (5.5 ppg, 3.6 rebounds), Marsh (4.8 ppg, 4.3 rebounds), and Boone (3.3 ppg, 2.3 assists) round out the rotation.

WEST SIDE PIRATES

Record: 12-14

State seed: #7, District 5 runner-up

Coach: Elise Cox, second season

Players to watch: F Miley Cundick, sr.; F Ana Mariscal-Weinert, jr.; G Bentley Cundick, so.

Notes: At state for the second time in three years despite entering the district tournament having lost four of their last five games and as the No. 5 seed in the six-team league. … Won four games in nine days to punch an unlikely ticket to state, including knocking off Soda Springs for the first time in five years and second-seeded Aberdeen, which had swept the Pirates during the regular season. … The program has never played in a state championship game.

2A STATE TOURNAMENT

BUTTE COUNTY PIRATES

Record: 17-5

State seed: #1, District 5-6 champ

Coach: Mindy Gamett, second season

Players to watch: G Brynn Anderson, sr.; F Cambree Lyon, jr.; F Paige Williams, sr.; G Autumn Gamett, jr.; F Abbie Knight, sr.; F Addison Pancheri, jr.

Notes: Won the consolation trophy in 2025 during its first state appearance since coming in third place in 2022. … Won five state titles (2006, 2007, 2012, 2017, 2018). … 0-1 vs. 2A state qualifiers (Oakley). … 2-0 vs. 1A state qualifiers (Mackay). … 0-2 vs. 4A state qualifiers (Sugar- Salem). … No. 2 offense (56.0 ppg) and No. 11 defense (38.9 ppg) in 2A. … Enters on a seven-game winning streak. … Ranked No. 4 in the final state coaches’ poll. … Anderson (13.3 ppg, 3.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.4 steals) and Lyon (11.7 ppg, 7.1 rebounds) were both second- team all-state picks last year. … Williams (7.9 ppg, 4.8 rebounds), Autumn Gamett (6.4 ppg, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 steals), Knight (5.8 ppg, 6.3 rebounds, 1.8 blocks) and Pancheri (5.6 ppg, 4.6 rebounds) round out the group.

LAKESIDE KNIGHTS

Record: 11-11

State seed: #5, District 1 champ

Coach: Chris Dohrman, 13th season

Players to watch: G Kyleigh Wolfe, sr.; G Laila SiJohn, so.; G Kimberly Pluff, sr.

Notes: At state for the second straight year, third in four years, and eighth time in 12 years, all under Dohrman. … Seeking its first state trophy since winning the 1A Division II consolation title in 2016. … Wolfe is averaging 23.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 3.4 steals and 4.1 assists. She enters state with 1,515 career points. … SiJohn averages 12.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.1 steals and 3.3 assists. … Lakeside scheduled “up” this year, playing 4A Timberlake and Bonners Ferry twice each, 5A Moscow and 3A Kellogg, as well as some tough small schools in eastern Washington… Before combining with Worley to form Lakeside High, Plummer won a state A-4 title in 1990.

LAPWAI WILDCATS

Record: 22-1

State seed: #3, District 2 champ

Coach: Lori Mader, first season

Players to watch: G Skylin Picard, sr.; G Madden Bisbee, sr.; F Lois Oatman, jr.; G Taya Yearout, sr.

Notes: Lapwai has won 11 state championships in girls basketball, tied with Coeur d’Alene for the most in Idaho history. … Mader is in her first season as Lapwai’s coach, after guiding Prairie for the previous 15 seasons. Mader went 304-82 at Prairie, and took the Pirates to state all 15
years. But her contract was terminated by the Cottonwood School District this past June. … Picard crossed 1,000 career points earlier this season. … Lapwai is shooting 40% from the field as a team this year. The national average is 34%.

LIBERTY CHARTER PATRIOTS

Record: 16-8

State seed: #7, District 3 third place

Coach: Brad McCain, 12th season

Players to watch: G Aveyah Flores, jr.; G Maci Nicley, so.; G Sophie Criddle, sr.; P Kyla Stimpson, sr.; SG Addison McCain, jr.

Notes: Headed to state for the 12th straight season. … Best state finishes were consolation trophies in 2018 and 2012. … Has yet to win a first-round game at state. … Fourth-best defense in the classification at 31.7 points per game. … Did not field a JV team this year, so this year’s roster includes four freshmen. … Criddle, one of just two seniors, leads the Patriots with 11.5 points, 9.8 rebounds and 3.0 steals per game. … Stimpson averages nearly a double-double with 9.5 points and 9.5 rebounds to go with 1.9 steals. … Flores (11 ppg, 6 rebounds, 3 steals) and Nicley (8 ppg, 3.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals) are additional scoring threats. … Addison McCain missed all of last season with a knee injury and returned two games before state, contributing
6.5 points, 4.5 steals and 3.0 rebounds per game.

OAKLEY HORNETS

Record: 19-2

State seed: #2, District 4 champ

Coach: Kristin Jones, third season

Players to watch: PG Livee Berlinguet, sr.; G Taylin Beck, sr.; F Addy Maseda, sr.

Notes: Defending state champ. … Winner of four straight district titles. … Fifth straight trip to state. … Won two state titles (2025, 2018). … Ranked No. 2 in the final state coaches’ poll. … Only losses came against 4A unbeaten Sugar-Salem and 3A state qualifier Ambrose. … Five seniors on the team, and all five are starters. … Taylin Beck was a second-team All-Idaho pick last year. … 2-0 vs. 2A state qualifiers (Butte County and Prairie). … No. 1 defense (29.1 ppg) and No. 3 offense in 2A (53.0 ppg). … Enters on a nine-game winning streak.

PRAIRIE PIRATES

Record: 20-5

State seed: #4, play-in winner

Coach: Teel Bruner, 1st season

Players to watch: P Kylie Schumacher, sr.; P Sage Elven, sr.; G Hailey Hanson, sr.; G Sydney Shears, sr.

Notes: This is Bruner’s first season as Prairie’s girls coach. He previously coached the Prairie boys for over a decade, winning state championships in 2010, 2014 and 2015. He also coached Kamiah’s girls in the late ’90s. … The Pirates feature four players in their rotation who stand 5-foot-10 or taller. … Schumacher scored a season-high 30 points for Prairie in their 59-40 win over Raft River in a state play-in game. … Schumacher crossed the 1,000 point mark for her career earlier this season.

VICTORY CHARTER VIPERS

Record: 16-6

State seed: #6, District 3 champ

Coach: Sally Ray, second season

Players to watch: P/G Leah Ray, so.; F/P Tamaya Rogers, so.; W/G Taliah Rogers, sr.; F/W Mikayla Zink, sr.

Notes: Qualified for state for the first time in program history after winning its first district title. … 3-1 against 2A state tournament qualifiers, sweeping Liberty Charter and splitting with Vision
Charter … Unranked in the final state coaches’ poll. … Roster features just two seniors, one junior, six sophomores and two freshmen. … Ray (12.6 ppg, 7.4 rebounds, 2.8 steals) and Tamaya Rogers (12.5 points, 19.1 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 2.5 blocks, 1.4 steals) lead the team in scoring. … Taliah Rogers (9.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.3 steals, 4.1 assists) and Zink (8.9 ppg, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 steals, 1.3 assists) also stuff the stat sheet.

VISION CHARTER GOLDEN EAGLES

Record: 16-6

State seed: #8, District 3 runner-up

Coach: Billy Lamitina, fourth season

Players to watch: G Raelynn Nickel, sr.; P Aubrie Parrish, jr.; P/G Abby Porterfield, jr.; G Aubrie Gutierrez, jr.

Notes: Making their state tournament debut after finishing second to Victory Charter in the district tournament. … Unranked in the final state coaches’ poll. … 1-2 against 2A state qualifiers, splitting with Victory Charter and losing to Liberty Charter. … Nickel is a scoring machine at 18.1 points per game to go with 8.4 steals, 6.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists. … Parrish
averages a double-double of 12.1 points and 11.0 rebounds along with 2.2 steals. … Porterfield chips in 8.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. … Gutierrez contributes 4.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.7 steals and 1.9 assists per game.

1A STATE TOURNAMENT

CAREY PANTHERS

Record: 17-3

State seed: #3, District 4 champ

Coach: Merrilee Sears, 17th season

Players to watch: PG Andie Simpson, jr.; G McKenzie Hennefer, jr.; G Ali Simpson, so.

Notes: Second straight state tournament appearance. … Finished third at last year’s tournament. … Won its only state title in 2019. … Ranked No. 3 in the final state coaches’ poll. … Enters on a 12-game winning streak. … 4-1 vs. 1A state qualifiers, including 3-0 vs. Dietrich. … Defeated Dietrich with an Andie Simpson layup with 5 seconds left in the district title game (40-38). … Averaged 45.6 points per game while giving up 30.4 points.

DEARY MUSTANGS

Record: 20-2

State seed: #4, play-in winner

Coach: Kendra Keen, 19th season

Players to watch: G Kaylee Wood, sr.; F Payton Reynolds, jr.; G Allie Vincent, jr.; G Karmen Griffin, sr.

Notes: This is Deary’s fourth trip to state over the past five seasons. … The Mustangs have only lost twice all season by a total of seven points. One was a six-point setback to Kendrick in the regular season, and the other was a one-point loss to Highland in the district semifinals. … Deary defeated Garden Valley in a state play-in game, 54-31, to earn their spot at state. … Wood won the first 2A javelin state championship in Idaho history this past spring with a throw of 122 feet.

DIETRICH BLUE DEVILS

Record: 13-9

State seed: #7, District 4 runner-up

Coach: Charley Bingham, second season

Players to watch: PG Ada Bingham, jr.; PF Lily Hanson, jr.

Notes: Fourth state tournament appearance in a row. … Lost opening game in 2025, and finished second in 2024 and 2023. … Seeking first state title since 2014 after winning four in a row from 2011-14. … Unranked in the final state coaches’ poll. … 0-5 vs. 1A state qualifiers, including 0-3 vs. Carey. … Started the season 0-5. … Averaged 41.5 points per game while giving up 35.9 points.

KOOTENAI WARRIORS

Record: 7-8

State seed: #8, District 1-2 runner-up

Coach: Alyssa Liermann, fourth season

Players to watch: F Brooklyn Charles, so.; G/F Juniper Stevenson, fr.; G/F Dani Davidson, fr., G/F Harleigh Dutton, so.; G Hunter Charles, fr.

Notes: At state for the first time since 2013. … Did not field a team in 2023-24, due to low numbers. Last year, it played with seven freshmen and two eighth graders. This year’s roster includes four sophomores and four freshmen. … This year’s seven victories are the most in a season since 2016-17. … Liermann played at Priest River, graduating in 2016. … Charles averages 14 points, 14 rebounds and 3 assists per game. … Kootenai last brought home a trophy from state in 2004, winning the consolation trophy in the combined 1A, 16-team tournament. … Won state titles in 1980 and ‘81.

MACKAY MINERS

Record: 19-2

State seed: #2, District 5-6 champ

Coach: Josh Pehrson, third season

Players to watch: G Alyssa Pehrson, jr.; W Danika Seefried, sr.; F Makelle Holt, sr.; G Jaida Rodriguez, sr.

Notes: Making third straight state appearance after going two-and-out in 2024 and 2025. … Searching for its first state title. Best finish was second in 2014. … Only two losses came to 2A state qualifier Butte County. … 2-0 against 1A state qualifiers Dietrich and Rockland. … No. 2 offense (57.3 ppg) and No. 8 defense (32.5 ppg) in 1A. … Ranked No. 1 in the final state
coaches’ poll. … Seefried (12.8 ppg, 7.7 rebounds, 3.8 steals), Pehrson (10.4 ppg, 5.1 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 2.7 steals), Rodriguez (10.3 ppg, 3.3 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 3.2 steals), and Holt (8.1 ppg, 4.9 rebounds, 1.4 steals) lead the way.

NEZPERCE NIGHTHAWKS

Record: 15-7

State seed: #6, District 2 champ

Coach: Kaci Ralstin, 2nd season

Players to watch: F Avery Lux, so.; G Helen Wilcox, jr.; G Paityn Ralstin, so.; F Kairys Grant, sr.

Notes: Head coach Kaci Ralstin is now two-for-two in her coaching career, guiding the Nighthawks to state in each of her first two seasons as head coach. … After battling through the losers’ bracket at districts a year ago and earning their way to state via a play-in game, this year the Nighthawks claimed the district championship outright. … Coach Ralstin has been coaching this group of sophomores, including her daughter Paityn, since elementary school. … Despite having no players taller than 5-foot-9, Nezperce averages 31.2 rebounds per game.

ROCKLAND BULLDOGS

Record: 18-7

State seed: #5, District 5 runner-up

Coach: Jordan Black, third season

Players to watch: P Mahana Hatch, fr.; G Harmony Boyer, sr.; G Trin Wiese, sr.

Notes: Reigning state champions and have won three state titles since 2020. … At state for the eighth straight year and have placed in each of the last four trips. … Only two starters return from last year's championship team — Boyer and Wiese. … Won 10 of its last 11 games, and is
beating opponents by more than 13 points per game. … Four of its seven losses have come against state-qualifying teams, including several from higher classifications. … Hatch, a freshman, is averaging 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game.

SALMON RIVER SAVAGES

Record: 23-0

State seed: #1, District 3 champ

Coach: Levi Tucker, fifth season

Players to watch: G Rylee Walters, sr.; PG Taylor Ewing, jr.; G Poppy Harper, fr.; F Kennedy Wilson, so.

Notes: One of three remaining undefeated teams in the state across all classifications. … Back at state for the third straight year. … Ranked No. 2 in the final state coaches’ poll. … Top offense (60.2 ppg) and fifth-best defense (30.7 ppg) in 1A. … 3-0 vs. 1A state qualifiers. … Won
18 of 22 contested games by 10 or more points, including 15 by 20 or more points. (Earned one win via a forfeit). … Closest game was a 64-59 win over La Grande, Ore., at a holiday tournament. … Walters (21.3 ppg, 6.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 3.5 steals, 1.5 blocks) has signed with Oregon Tech (NAIA). She has made two appearances on the All-Idaho team, including a first-team selection last year. … Ewing (8.5 ppg, 5.0 assists, 3.6 steals) was a second-team All-
Idaho selection last year. … Four players average 8.5 or more points per game, including Harper (10.5), Wilson (8.5) and Ewing. … Last won a trophy and reached the state finals in 2019, when it finished second. … Won its only state title in 1977 before taking second in 1978, 2018 and 2019.