2018 Class Rankings Breakdown: New Top 5, Risers, Sleepers And More
With our latest release of the 2018 class rankings, there is plenty to dive into in terms of movement and notable prospects from top to bottom. In an incredibly strong class of players across the state who are seemingly impacting their teams’ performances weekly, the 2018 class is our most in depth list in terms of rankings for the state, a tribute to the plethora of talented hoopers across the Gem state.
Below is a break down via four categories, “A New Top 5,” “Risers,” “Sleepers,” and “Players to Watch.” As always, PHID will continue to track and follow the state’s top talent and stay up to date on players who deserve and earn a boost up the rankings as they continue to take shape. Stay tuned!
A New Top 5
The top 5 in our 2018 rankings are all so close and deserving of the top spot in seemingly any given stretch of the season thus far, this group produces incredible numbers and results on a game by game basis, and have certainly cemented themselves at the top of these rankings. The latest player to take the top spot is Brayden Parker (Preston), the big man for the Indians has been at it again as he dominates the paint and impacts the game more than ever. His team is rolling as they have yet to drop a game this season, and Parker should continue to feast down low. We continue to see more and more to his game as well as Parker shows fans and followers of hoops in Idaho that he is more than just a brut force on the low block.
Jalen Galloway (Mountain View) comes in as our number 2 ranked overall player and for good measure. Galloway has been putting up incredible numbers for Mountain View and currently leads all 5A SIC in scoring average and near the top in rebounding average. His versatility remains a highlight of his game and he will take this team on his back on any given opportunity. An exciting player on a tough team, Galloway has been lights out.
Max Rice (Bishop Kelly) has had to play and live up to some offseason hype as he signed on to play for his father at Boise State, and the ultra-skilled guard has provided plenty of highlights thus far in the season. A very skilled shooter, perhaps the best in the state, and with excellent handles, Rice is dangerous anytime he has the ball. BK has struggled this season in comparison to last year, but Rice and his teammates seem look like their primed to upset some teams and put up big numbers in the process as we move ahead in the year.
Daxton Carr (Highland) has been a special player for the Rams this season as the Cal Poly signee has displayed his all-around game and posting up nice totals on a game by game basis for Highland. Highland will keep on battling this season and is a team and player to keep an eye over in Pocatello despite hovering around the .500 mark. Carr is an excellent prospect with a very high ceiling.
Paul Pennington (Boise) one of our favorite guards in the entire state, Pennington has put up numbers again this year in his senior season. A top passer in terms of assists per game (6.8 ast/avg in 10 games) and a notable ball thief averaging 3.5 per game, the top for 5A SIC, Pennington is once again showing everyone why he belongs in the conversation for top guard prospects in the 2018 class. Not to mention, the Boise Braves have only dropped one game all season to Meridian on the road. Don’t be surprised if by out next rendition of these rankings Pennington finds himself up a few spots.
Risers
With the season chugging along we have seen some players zip up our rankings and the players below have put together tremendous performances which have caught our eyes on a number of occasions so far this season. Will they keep with their trend in rising up our rankings by time our next edition is released? Stay tuned for sure because that would not surprise us at all. Stock is rising with all of these kids.
Cayden Wright (Skyview), Ryan Bagley (Burley), Zac Zenner (Timberline), James Carlson (Lake City), Paycen Jensen (Grace), Hayden Wayment (Carey)
Sleepers
Of course with such a deep pool of talent such as our 2018 class, there will be a number of players who as a result have an impact and standout but just so happen to be lower in the rankings. Each of these players in this group can lead their team in numerous statistical categories on any given night, and will likely continue to put up solid numbers as the season ramps up. Remember these names and of course, don’t sleep on any of these studs below.
Lucas Centeno (Boise), Jayson Hibbard (Skyview), Andrew Ferrin (Burley), Caleb Rhoton (Vallivue), Garrett White (North Idaho Christian), Garrett Crane (Highland), Kade Shaw (Dietrich), Hayden Peterson (Bear Lake), Chandler Pincock (Sugar-Salem)
Players To Watch
The group below have shown a capacity to lead their teams and take over in games. They are all worthy of consideration for the next level in terms of playing and have really stood out to us so far this season. While they are not in the Top 5, a number of these guys are extremely close to cracking it and if they continue their solid play they just might end up there in our next release of the 2018 rankings. Whether it’s doubles-doubles (Pfennigs, Dill, O’Donnell) or flat out scoring (Hadlock, Taylor III and Barton), these ballers can play. Take note and keep track of these big time players below.
Tyler O’Donnell (Rocky Mountain), Zack Barton (Kuna), Jake Pfennigs (Post Falls), Slade Dill (Dietrich), Ethan Christianson (Ambrose), Steele Hadlock (Vallivue), Emmitt Taylor III (Lapwai)