Idaho Player Rankings Breakdown First Edition
photo credit: http://www.hudl.com/profile/6944774/paul-pennington
With the first official Prep Hoops Idaho rankings out now, here is a breakdown to help sift through the incredible depth and also an idea of trends throughout each class.
First, with regard to the 2018 class, Idaho’s versatile mix of talent is on full display when you take a closer look. Gifted scorers, big men who can clean the glass, and wings who can flat out fly all grace our first set of rankings.
When looking at the 2018 class, the first four players ranked provide an excellent snapshot as to the potential in which recruiting a state like Idaho can lend itself. You have the scoring guard in Paul Pennington at Boise High, a player who doesn’t see a shot he does not like and can flat out ball at the point guard position. Next, in Jalen Galloway and Daxton Carr, you have a high flying rebounder and a player that can finish under any circumstance at the rim, with a growing shooting range as well. Finally, with Brayden Parker you have a classic high school big, who battles in the trenches and uses his strength and presence to his advantage every time out on the court.
Max Rice at Bishop Kelly (son of Boise State head coach Leon Rice, and recent BSU commit) should have another standout season as his uptempo style and ability to score will be highlighted once again. In terms of scoring, the 2018 class has it in spades. One very intriguing scorer is our current 17th overall player Ryan Bagley at Burley. Certainly a prospect who will likely climb up the rankings as the season moves on, Bagley has huge breakout ability as evidenced last year when he dropped a career best 30 points in a loss to Fremont (Utah).
Small school players also mix into the 2018 rankings as you see Emmitt Taylor III from Lapwai come in at number 13 overall. Taylor III averaged 20 points per game last season for Lapwai and is highly touted within the state for his shooting ability. Taylor III is a reminder that talent can be found at all levels in Idaho.
With regard to the 2019 class, you have to start at the top with Ellis Magnuson at Borah. Magnuson was second team 5A All-Conference SIC last season, a grouping of players that are all high level talents. Magnuson’s ability to score was on display last season as he finished ninth in scoring for all 5A SIC players.
Entering the 2017-2018 season, guards are top heavy in terms of the 2019 rankings, but there are a few guys with height and size that are just outside the top. Mitchell Brizee (6’8, Twin Falls) and Andrew Ferrin (6’8, Burley) both look to be guys with size and also some serious game. No doubt they could see their way up the rankings before the season concludes.
The 2020 class is led by Eagle’s Tanner Hayhurst, a shooting guard that already has a nice build for the position and should fill in even more while developing more as a shooter. The smaller sized Cooper Frith is an intriguing point guard prospect who can really handle the ball and also hit open shots for Rocky Mountain. The Fitts name is a familiar one to those who follow Vallivue, and Mike Fitts should grow into another great guard for their squad as he matures.
2021 is still a work in progress as we continue to monitor some of the state’s youngest talent. This group will grow as the season takes shape, but already a few names have popped up in Josh Gillespie (Guard, Mountain View) and Braxton Pierce (Center, Madison). There are plenty of young guns on the rise in Idaho so we will continue to monitor this class to make sure we stay up to speed on each talent.