Inland Empire League 4A boys basketball preview

Around the league

Defending champ Moscow came oh-so-close to capturing a state championship last year. “We were one possession away from bringing home a state championship,” first-year coach Aaron Dail said. Dail takes over for Don Dudley, who had returned last year for a second go as head coach. Moscow won two state titles the first time Dudley coached. He resigned in the middle of the fall to spend more time with his business. Dail played for Dudley and has been a varsity assistant and junior varsity coach the past four years. He inherits a team that brings back league MVP Nick Ellison and Adam Gresch, both seniors. Another key returner is junior Jack Ackey. … Lakeland has many holes to fill after graduating seven seniors. Leading the way is junior Tyrel Derrick, who quarterbacked the football team to the state playoffs. Another starter, senior Derek Bayley, is expected to return earlier than anticipated from summer shoulder surgery. He suffered the injury last season and started just four games. “It’s huge to get Derek back,” coach Dave Stockwell said. “We’re awfully young and inexperienced. We’ve got a lot of learning to do.” … Sandpoint returns four starters, all seniors. They are Chase Rodriguez, Matthew Burgstahler, Jeremiah Gagnon and Thomas Edwards. “We have strong senior leadership,” coach Tyler Haynes said. “Speed and transition are this team’s greatest strengths. We had a very productive offseason.”

All-league returners

Derrick, Rodriguez, Ellison and Gresch.