Juniors Headline Standouts from the 1A DII State Tournament
It is time to take a look at the 1A DII standouts from the state tournament. Congrats go out to Lakeside who went undefeated this year on their way to a state title, Cascade finished 2nd, and Dietrich finished 3rd.…
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Continue ReadingIt is time to take a look at the 1A DII standouts from the state tournament. Congrats go out to Lakeside who went undefeated this year on their way to a state title, Cascade finished 2nd, and Dietrich finished 3rd.
Kenyon SpottedHorse Kenyon SpottedHorse 6'0" | PG Lakeside | 2021 State ID – 6’0 G, Lakeside 2021
Kenyon Spotted Horse is one of the best guards in North Idaho. He can make game changing plays on both sides of the court. As the primary ball handler for Lakeside, he plays with a poised demeanor. He does not seem to get rattled. Pressure and good defenders do not seem to affect his style of play. He can use his quickness to get in the lane to create opportunities for himself and his teammates. He has excellent court vision and plays within a team dynamic. He has elite length for a point guard. As such, he can score over the top of almost any point that goes up against him. With that length, he is extremely active on the offensive glass. He attacks rebounds from the perimeter. With his length and high basketball IQ, he has a nose for the ball. Defensively, his speed and length serve him well on that side of the court; especially, in terms of being able to force turnovers. Spotted Horse is an intriguing prospect from a small classification. He led Lakeside to an undefeated season and a state championship. With him returning next year, it is hard to imagine a team being able to beat Lakeside. Keep an eye on what Spotted Horse can do with another year of growth and development.
Cody Mooseman- 6’0 F, Cascade 2020
The senior leader for Cascade helped lead them to the state championship game. He is an extremely aggressive offensive player. He attacks the paint and the hoop relentlessly. Like Mark Price, Mooseman is always looking for contact while attacking the lane. Having a player who creates easy and efficient opportunities for himself is a major plus. Defensively, Mooseman can stay in front of opposing wing players and defend them at a high level using his physicality.
Day Day Higgins Day Day Higgins 6'8" | C Lakeside | 2021 State ID – 6’8 C, Lakeside 2021
Higgins is a special talent. He is a true 6’8 center. He just absolutely dominates a game with his presence. When Higgins is out on the court, opposing teams are accounting for him on both sides of the ball. Offensively, he has a nice post game. He can score with hooks, he has a nice mid-range jump shot, and he has nice touch in general around the hoop. He can even step out and make a corner 3 if he is left open. Defensively, Higgins shins. He can eliminate anyone who dares enter the key. He is a threat to block every shot that goes up. Good luck trying to get a rebound with Higgins in the game, he is ready to gobble-up every single board. Higgins is one of the more interesting prospects in the state. With that combo of height, elite length, and athleticism, college programs need to have Higgins on their radar. For being a small school, Lakeside has some really compelling prospects.
Blake Thurston- 5’10 G, Cascade 2021
A shooter through and through. Thurston is a threat to pull up from anywhere on the court. While he is under 6-feet tall, he has good length that helps him create the space to get those deep shots off. Thurston initiates Cascade’s offense. He has good court vision and creates shots for others. Thurston will have the opportunity to show a more rounded offensive game next year.
Brady Power Brady Power 5'11" | PG Dietrich | 2021 State ID – 5’11 G, Dietrich 2021
Power is an offensive force for Dietrich. He might be generously listed at 5’11; however, he averaged nearly 19 points a game and nearly 9 rebounds a game during the season. Not bad for a guy who is an undersized wing player. That stat line helps show the type of player that he is and the type of heart that he has. Power plays hard with high energy all game. He appears physically strong. That strength helps him be able to score inside and go after those rebounds with abandon. He can shoot, he can pass, but it is his fearlessness around the hoop that is truly impressive.
James Bodily- 6’2 F, North Gem 2021
Bodily is a special talent in Idaho. He can put up points in a hurry. He set a 1A DII record averaging 31.3 points a game. He scores most of his points around the hoop. He has some of the better handles that I have seen this year. He uses a combination of crossovers, behind the backs, and hesitations to get his opponent off balance and get into the lane. Once there, he uses his finesse to be able get crafty layups and use the rim to shield himself from defenders. The skill that I was most impressed by was his Euro-step. He has the best Euro-step that I have seen this year. Additionally, he can shoot, he has a nice pull-up jump shot, but that ability to attack the lane stands out. His offensive skill set shouldn’t diminish what he does defensively. He is an extremely active and athletic defensive player. Look for Bodily to draw some attention heading into his senior year.
Rhys Dill- 6’6 C, Dietrich 2021
Dill is a long, lean center. He dominates the game around the basket. The length that he possesses makes the game difficult for anyone entering the lane. He averaged 10.5 rebounds a game during the season. He is always in position to gather any loose rebound. Dill has a soft touch around the hoop on offense, but with Power on his team, Dill is a defensive and rebounding big for Dietrich.
Chase Green Chase Green 6'2" | SG Mackay | 2021 State ID – 6’1 G, Mackay 2021
Green is a talented wing player for Mackay. Green has an excellent mid-range game. He has a good understanding of how to use angles and contort his body to his shot off. Green has a nice looking shot from beyond the arch. As another plus, Green does all that will operating as the primary ball handler for Mackay. Green plays the game at a high level on offense.
Brigham Parke- 6’1 F, Carey 2020
Parke is the do-everything senior leader for Carey. He can score and score in a hurry. He can shoot from deep, he can attack the hoop, and can punish opposing defenses who make the mistake of fouling him by being an excellent free throw shooter. Additionally, Parke is good at getting his teammates involved in the offense. Parke is athletic and can defend opposing wing players.
Honorable Mention
Talon Twoteeth Talon Twoteeth 6'0" | PG Lakeside | 2020 State ID – 6’0 G, Lakeside 2020
Covy Kelly Covy Kelly 6'0" | PG Garden Valley | 2021 State ID – 6’0 G, Garden Valley 2021
Cameron Summerfield- 6’5 C, Timberline 2020
Hunter Smith- 5’11 G, Carey 2021
Cruz Duerden- 5’10 G, Cascade 2021
JJ Hall- 6’2 F, Lakeside 2021
Michael Onaindia- 6’2 F, Cascade 2020
Vander Brown Vander Brown 5'10" | PG Lakeside | 2023 State ID – 5’10 G, Lakeside 2023
Jeff Shaw- 5’10 G, Dietrich 2022
Logan Corta- 6’1 G, North Gem 2021
Kyler Robertson- 5’11 G, Dietrich 2020
Kyle Peterson- 5’11 G, Mackay 2021
Garrett Leavitt- 6’1 F, North Gem 2021
Corban Fields- 5’8 G, Garden Valley 2021
Kolton Holt- 6’5 C, Mackay 2021