Action Packed Week Filled With Career Highs, Fast Starts And Tournament Play Ready To Tip
The action on the hardwood across the Gem state is heating up quickly as this past week saw some impressive performances and a handful of teams beginning their 2017-2018 campaigns in blistering fashion.
From the 5A level to the 1A II level, games are tipping off in bunches with eye catching performances from plenty of prospects already. Prep Hoops Idaho takes a look at what went down this past week and who stood out for their respective teams. Top storylines as well as we enter into the weekend, which will be a busy one for a number of teams involved in early season tournament play.
Good luck to those teams competing in the various tournaments (Ambrose, Silver Valley, Dietrich, Carey) around the Gem state this weekend!
— Prep Hoops Idaho (@prephoopsid) December 1, 2017
2018
In terms of highlights we can look no further than Daxton Carr at Highland who turned in one for the ages and a career high going for 27 points in his team’s 83-72 win over Sky View. Carr, who signed with Cal Poly earlier this Fall, is one of Idaho’s premiere talents and he has shown that already in the early going of this season. Highland will be must watch basketball this season.
Another top 2018 performer and familiar name is last year’s 4A Player of the Year Brayden Parker for Preston. Parker had a calm and cool 15 points leading his team in a win over Burley 64-56 to kick off their three peat quest. Parker’s teammate Derek Wadsworth led the way for the Indians with 18 points.
Vallivue’s Steele Hadlock, another known name and player to watch this season poured in 22 points in his team’s loss to 5A favorite Rocky Mountain in an early season contest for the Falcons.
Skyview’s Cayden Wright, a 6’0 guard netted 26 points as he helped lift his team past Centennial in their early going of 17-18.
Some injury news regarding Lewiston’s Braeden Wilson, a 6’5 forward, the big man from the upper part of the state is currently out of commission still recovering from ACL surgery this past offseason. He will be out til after Christmas.
Some other notable outings from the 2018 class were Hayden Wayment (Carey) 24 points in a win over Butte County, Paycen Jensen (Grace) 25 points in a loss to West Side, and Garrett White (North Idaho Chrisitan) 35 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 steals in a win over Clark Fork.
2019
The 2019 class showed some nice bright moments as well in the early going as Deshun Harwell, a popular name in the Idaho hoops scene took his team to two victories on the back of a 21 point effort and 14 respectively. His Century team finished the week 2-0 as a result.
Ririe’s Michael Ure, a talented post player who give opposing teams fits often finished with 15 points in his team’s win over Malad 73-64.
Two standout performances came from Cross Pilgrim (North Idaho Christian) 30 points, 6 assists, in a 73-60 win over Lakeside and 9 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, and five steals in a win over Clark Fork. Minico’s Kobe Matsen notched 8 points and 8 blocks in his team’s victory over Pocatello 63-28.
Other worthy mentions were Jackson Pritchard (St. Maries) 7 three pointers, 26 points 76-63 over Sandpoint, Ricardo Albor (Ridgevue) 22 points in their 66-64 win past Canyon Ridge, and Bryant Corbridge (Malad) 21 points for their 50-44 loss to Marsh Valley.
2020
Our recent Prospect Spotlight feature, Jace Whiting (Burley) was big in their loss to powerhouse Preston netting 18 points.