Intermountain League boys basketball preview

Around the league

Timberlake made its first trip to state in the school’s 15-year history last winter, capturing its first league and district championships under coach Tony Hanna. The Tigers bring back two starters in seniors Keegan Scott and Mason Cramer. Four other seniors – Austin Allen, Bryce Johnson, Ben Austin and Bob Cronnelly – are battling for starting jobs, Hanna said. “We have quite a bit of team speed and are full of hard-working kids who have had a taste of success. The guys like each other so team chemistry should be good.” Timberlake must overcome a lack of size and experience. “We have a lot of seniors who want to go out strong,” Hanna said. “If we can put it together it should be a good year. We have a tougher schedule than we’ve ever had.” … Kellogg returns one starter in senior Jesse Lambert. “We have four solid ballplayers who know the system,” coach Jeff Lambert said. “We will be competitive and by the end of the year we will be tough.” … Heath Hartwig takes over as coach at Priest River, replacing Ryan Bodecker. The Spartans return one starter in senior Jimmy Koch. “We’re young overall but I’d be utterly disappointed if we don’t win our league and go to state,” Hartwig said. “These kids are quick and strong. They own the paint in practice.”. … First-year Bonners Ferry coach Brian Woods has two returning starters including his son, Cameron Woods, a senior and four-year letterman, and senior Josh Pluid. “Other than that we have nobody else with any meaningful varsity experience,” said Woods, an attorney. “We’ve got some size but we need to work on our basketball IQ.”