Prep Hoops Idaho: 4 In 4A Breakdown
photo credit: www.idahostatesman.com
As we look ahead to the 2017-2018 Idaho prep hoops season we are spotlighting four players in 4A to know about, as each player stands to follow up their impressive high school careers thus far, and help their teams find success while raising the level of their game even more so in the upcoming campaign.
The players highlighted below have all excelled in their prep careers thus far, earning various honors and leading their teams both in statistical categories as well as on and off the court. Each prospect has a tremendous opportunity to carry on the positive momentum in which they have created for themselves already, as the high school hoops season in Idaho looms just around the corner.
Here are our four to watch in 4A this season, be sure to keep these youngsters on your radars all year long as their level of play continues to rise.
Brayden Parker, 6’7, Center, Preston
The 2017 4A Player of the Year according to the Idaho Statesman, Parker’s dominant play helped lift Preston to back-to-back titles. A player who has had to earn his stats every time he laced them up, Parker thrived in tough matchups to post incredibly solid numbers yet again.
The big man averaged a double-double (16.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.2 blocks), and has a full-ride scholarship already pinned down to Idaho State. Parker will look to pad his already impressive prep career with his senior season this year, and hope to make a three-peat in terms of state titles, the possibility of doing so is very real.
Max Rice, 6’3, Guard, Bishop Kelly
Rice grabbed the headlines this offseason when he verbally committed to play for his Dad, head coach Leon Rice at Boise State. Rice played his summer ball with Washington Supreme, as his eventful summer was highlighted by his announcement to be a preferred walkon at Boise State.
Rice is deserving of his upcoming role with the Broncos as he has had quite the career thus far at Bishop Kelly. Rice was named 4A Southern Conference Idaho Player of the Year, as well as earning a first team nod for the second consecutive season. Rice averaged a stellar 18.5 points per game last season and will likely boost that line with his offseason work and newly added motivation to live up to the buzz created from this summer’s news.
Returning for his senior season, Rice will hope to lead his squad past their bitter foe Preston, who has knocked them out of the 4A state final in consecutive years. Uptempo and fast is the typical brand of basketball for his Bishop Kelly team, and Rice will no doubt be a fun player to watch at the 4A level this year.
Derek Wadsworth, 6’0, Guard, Preston
A valuable piece to the Preston puzzle, a big reason why the team has found so much success as of late. Wadworth’s defensive tenacity on top of his polished offensive game has helped Preston achieve back-to-back 4A state titles.
Wadworth’s bread and butter is shooting the basketball, a 85 percent free throw shooter, Wadsworth averaged 14.3 points while dishing out 4.2 assists per game last season. With a go-to guy down low to find each and every possession in 4A Player of the Year Brayden Parker, Wadsworth is a troublesome cover for opposing teams as well given his wide range of skills on the court.
If Preston is able to pull off the three-peat in 4A this upcoming season, Wadsworth will play a huge role in doing so, and thus, is on our radar heading into the year and a name to watch.
Ryan Bagley, 6’1, Guard, Burley
Bagley helped guide his team to the consolation title this past season in the 4A state tournament and did it in impressive fashion by averaging 21.1 points, 8.1 assists, and 6.6 rebounds per game on the season. With a new head coach at the helm (Travis Noble from Oakley), Bagley and his team will look to improve upon their valiant finish last season.
A proven scorer who can also see the floor well and find teammates when needed, Bagley is natural out on the court. A second team 4A All-Idaho selection last year, Bagley could easily jump into the first team conversation when all is said and done following another similar stat stuffing season for Burley.