2018 Class: Surging Seniors From State Tournament
The state tournament has come and went for the state of Idaho as the hoops hysteria calms down a bit after a raucous and entertaining few days in the Treasure Valley. Once again, the tournament itself as well as a number of the top prospects in each class did not disappoint. Some even used the opportunity to make a final splash on the scene while wrapping up their prep careers at their respective schools.
In tracking the 2018 class, there were plenty of great performances from this solid, well-rounded class. The cream of the crop all did their thing while we saw some new names pop up onto our radar with excellent displays of production as well. Prep Hoops Idaho was tracking it all and now would like to look back and recognize the mover and shakers from the 2018 class at the state tournament, as we are still buzzing from the top notch play we witnessed.
Here is our list of surging seniors, those who made the biggest splash in which they could on the largest stage of the season.
Best of the best
The top portion of our 2018 ranked class all showed up big for their teams during last week’s tournament. Beginning first with Preston’s Brayden Parker, who helped his team achieve three peat glory as 4A state champions while posting ridiculous numbers in the final two games. Parker averaged 17 points, 8 rebounds, and 6.5 blocks in Preston’s semifinal and final games. The big man looked dominant at times out on the court and established himself as perhaps Idaho’s most tough to handle player period.
We really liked what we saw out of Jake Pfennigs in the season’s final couple games for Post Falls. Despite falling in the semifinal round of the tournament Pfennigs did his part by averaging 22.3 points and 11.3 rebounds over a three game span. A tremendous rebounder, this kid made basketball coaches at the next level wish they could talk him out of baseball and into a basketball scholarship. What a joy to watch such a gifted athlete. Bright future ahead for this young man.
Another top player who is slated for athletics at the next level is Clancy Thomas who showed up big for his Snake River team. Thomas and his team slipped to Fruitland and couldn’t pull off a state title, but Thomas proved to onlookers he is ready to take his game up a notch. In his team’s loss to Fruitland, Thomas displayed his skill set going for 20 points, 15 rebounds and 5 blocks. It will be exciting to follow Thomas’ time at Colorado Mesa.
Lapwai’s Emmit Taylor III made it look easy at times as he guided his team to a state championship. Taylor III’s ability to score and impact the game on the defensive end was valuable and this stud at the smaller school level impressed. Taylor III averaged 21.6 points per game over three games.
Dietrich’s Slade Dill went Slade Dill during his two game stint when his team was looking to make it to the state title game but fell short in their matchup against Genesis Prep, whom went on to grab the hardware. Dill posted two big double-doubles in his first two games of the tournament first going for 15 points and 15 rebounds in their opening win against Mackay and then exploding for 28 points and 14 rebounds in their loss to Genesis Prep. Dill is intriguing to think about in terms of the next level, with some added time in the weight room, this kid has plenty of skill to keep developing.
Burley’s Ryan Bagley has been a thrill to watch and follow all season for a talented Burley squad who showed up big at the state tournament last week. Bagley had a huge effort that should not go unnoticed in their title game matchup with Preston as he went for 20 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds and 4 steals. Bagley is as well-rounded as they come and had an amazing senior season.
Ambrose’s Ethan Christianson achieved some noteworthy stuff last week as he literally did everything he could to help his team in the postseason.
Archer @ohhethann turned in some AMAZING performances at the 2018 #RealDairyShootout State Tournament this past weekend | #idpreps #fred #toughness #realdairyshootout pic.twitter.com/V7Iqxpxeox
— Ambrose Boys Basketball (@AmbroseHoops) March 5, 2018
What a run it was Hillcrest and Derek Marlowe late last week as they made it all the way to the championship game and then lost in a worthy effort to now reigning back-to-back state champs Rocky Mountain. Marlowe was superb though and averaged 22 points over his team’s three games. A truly gifted scorer and excellent shooter, Marlowe was loads of fun to follow this season.
Bright lights, timely ballers
When the stage was set, these ballers did not hide from the moment as we saw a lot of familiar names from the regular season come up big at some point for their teams. Starting first with Grace’s Paycen Jensen who went for 32 points and 6 rebounds in a loss to Lapwai. Jensen has been a name that popped up in our PHID POTW nominees over the past season and looked sharp in the game against the eventual champs.
Rocky Mountain got leadership and guidance from Hunter Ranstorm who had an excellent season overall for the back-to-back champs. He was in double figures often during the tournament and provided clutch plays and great hustle throughout the tournament.
Burley’s Andrew Ferrin contributed all season long for Burley in a number of statistical categories and did so yet again at the state tournament. In the title game, Ferrin posted another double-double 18 points and 10 rebounds and was one of the main reasons why it was so fun to watch this Burley squad this past season.
Century’s Coleton Adamson really jumped out at us during the state tournament as he seemed like he was shot out of a cannon each game. We loved his energy and gritty play that saw him go for 28 points and 8 rebounds in a big win over Skyview last week. Excellent stuff from this senior.
Shelley’s Mason Price is another senior familiar with our PHID POTW nomination lists, as he had a big game against Parma last week going for 17 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals.
Dietrich’s Kade Shaw had a great run this season and posted 16 points during his team’s opening round win against Mackay. Shaw was right by Slade Dill’s side all season and had plenty of big moments and games himself for this skilled squad.
A few other names that grabbed our attention late last week were Kimberly’s Trey Garey (12 points, 9 rebounds in a win over Kellogg and 18 points in a win over Shelley) and Connor Golay (22 points vs Shelley), Grace’s Tanner Christensen (22 points in win over Oakley) and Lapwai’s Keith Kipp Jr. (13 points and 11 rebounds in win over Grace).