Checking In On Some Of The Gem State’s Top Duos
A number of teams across the Gem state feature a set of prospects rather than just one standout, as is the case with our list below. It is certainly a luxury when a team can rely on two or more players each and every game, and with the group of schools listed here sometimes a third or even fourth player sneaks in as a contributor. But, there are always those standbys in which coaches and teammates can rely on, a dynamic duo if you will that are to be counted on, and that in itself is a reason why many of the teams here are finding success so far this season.
Prep Hoops Idaho decided to check on some of the top duos across the state and various levels, to see what teams are making noise thanks to the heavy lifting of not just one prospect, but two. Also, it is a great way for coaches at the next level to highlight teams to scout as they can check in on a number of players with a set of games.
Here are some of the top 1-2 punches in the state of Idaho…
Preston
Brayden Parker and Derek Wadsworth. If it feels like we have been writing a lot about not only their team, but these two players it’s because we have, and for good measure. Both of these players have picked up right where they left off from their season ago, as they have added up some impressive performances and helped their team stay undefeated thus far in the season including a huge win recently over 5A Rocky Mountain.
Parker, the down low presence to which this team relies heavily on, has enjoyed some nice outings in 17-18. To kick off the season he netted 15 points in a win over Burley and has had a number of other head turning games including and most recently 23 points in a win past Rigby and 29 points, 10 rebounds and eight blocks in his team’s double-overtime win against Rocky Mountain. Parker is as tough to stop as they come in Idaho.
With regard to Wadsworth, the outstanding guard has led the Indians in scoring already a couple times this year as he did in their first game against Burley finishing with 18 points. Wadsworth also poured in 24 points in his team’s win over Rigby and will be a player to watch for in terms of movement in our 2018 rankings.
Burley
Andrew Ferrin and Ryan Bagley. This entire Burley team is quite talented, but Andrew Ferrin has been hitting our radar as of late with games such as his 3 blocks and 11 rebounds in a win over Canyon Ridge. Ferrin has scored when needed too, but the real highlight is what he is doing in all the other categories to help his team find wins which is exactly what they have done recently winning four straight games after dropping their first two.
Bagley was a standout last season for this team earning the Times-News GBC Player of the Year honors. Bagley still remains a triple-double threat on any given night but has been able to distribute the wealth in terms of stats to players such as Jace Whiting (2020) who has been an excellent newcomer to this squad that seems to have found itself.
Boise
Paul Pennington and Lucas Centeno. We have touched on it before, but these two and this entire team starts on the defensive end. Despite both players’ abilities to score the basketball, what the Braves have done in holding opponents to low figures is incredible. They have held opposing teams to just 43.8 points a game and that is including a recent surprising loss to Meridian where Boise allowed an uncharacteristic 66 points.
Both players have continued their solid play that landed them end of season 5A honors last year and assumably again for this season. Pennington is the traditional yet feisty guard while Centeno provides more of the punch in the duo, but these two along with the solid cast of teammates will continue to make noise at the 5A level heading into late winter.
Vallivue
Steele Hadlock and Amoro Lado. Hadlock took home our initial PHID Player of the Week honors after dropping 35 points (2nd all-time scoring in a single game school record) in a close win past Emmett. Entering the award, Hadlock was averaging 21.6 points per game on 45% shooting from three and 95% shooting from the charity stripe. The 2018 prospect in growing as a player this season and is surely a leader for this bunch. Look for Hadlock to rise in our rankings as well as we move closer to state tournament time.
Lado has been a do-it-all type of player leading the Falcons in rebounding with 7 during their game against Emmett, and again with 7 boards in their win against Centennial. He also has a way of finding teammates leading the team in assists during the Centennial win and as well as stout defense with an ability to rack up steals. A physically gifted player, look for Lado down the stretch as a 2019 prospect worthy of keeping track of.
Skyview
Jayson Hibbard and Cayden Wright. This team has a couple 1-2 threats that can pair up on any given outing, but the Hibbard-Wright combo has been steady as of late. With other standouts like Chris Kielman, the Hawks can make it difficult for opposing teams matchup wise.
In Skyview’s last outing (a narrow defeat to Columbia), Wright finished with 17 points and 5 boards while Hibbard chipped in with 10 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block. In their game prior, a 58-31 win over Homedale, it was Wright and Hibbard once again (Kielman was a DNP), as Wright finished with 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists and Hibbard added a double-double 15 points and 11 rebounds.
Once again, the Hawks have the benefit of a three headed monster type attack when all three players are suited up, but lately it has been Hibbard and Wright leading the way, which will be a good thing for the Hawks as they move forward in the season.
Century
Deshun Harwell and Coleton Adamson. This group has been fun to follow this season as they have only dropped one game and it was to 5A Rocky Mountain in the Preston Tournament. The Diamondbacks are a tough squad and 2019 prospect Deshun Harwell has posted some great numbers over this stretch. We highlighted Harwell’s opening two games, as he led Century in scoring for a 2-0 start.
In Century’s third game of the season they beat Jerome and also matched their win total from a season ago, Adamson matched Harwell’s 11 points that contest which is something the 2018 guard can do as this group seems primed to keep adding games to their win column.
Bishop Kelly
Max Rice, and Danny Oliver-Connelly. Bishop Kelly has had an interesting go at it this season so far as they sit 3-4 through their first 7 games. The combo of Rice and Oliver-Connelly, both ranked in our 2018 list with Rice being a top five player, have done their part on a couple occasions for the Knights. Rice exploded for 36 points, and 7 rebounds against Skyview while Oliver-Connelly has led the team in scoring as well at least once this season so far.
A high-powered 1-2 punch that can turn it on when needed for this group, I would not look past these guys moving ahead in the season.
North Idaho Christian
Garrett White and Cross Pilgrim. In our first Player of the Week list of nominations, White was certainly a heavy contender as during the week of 12/4-12/11, White, a 6’4 guard/forward, averaged 31.0 points and 15.0 rebounds over two games. Since then, White nearly hit the 30 point mark again going for 27 points in a win over Christian Center.
White’s counterpart is Cross Pilgrim, who has been a stat sheet stuffer despite playing the guard position. The 2019 prospect has flirted with triple-double type of numbers in a few games and has played very well for this team. An exciting 1-2 punch for sure.