League-by-league look at area boys basketball teams

Greater Spokane League

Outlook: It’s no wonder why Lewis and Clark is the favorite to win the league championship. The Tigers bring back all five starters. They are Dom Oliveri (senior, post), Isaiah Hernandez (sr., guard), Justin Martin (sr., g), Naje Smith (sr., p) and Adam Thompson (sr., wing). Oliveri and Smith are 6-foot-7 and the Tigers will back that up with 6-9 and 6-5 reserves. “Great group of boys,” second-year coach Jim Redmon said. “The seniors have played together since (YMCA) ball and are looking for a great year.” … LC and Central Valley were ranked third and sixth, respectively, in the Washington Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association (WIBCA) Cloud 9 Top 9 preseason rankings. CV is picked to challenge LC. The Bears return four starters – Cameron Tucker (sr., w), first-team all-league last year; Justis Simmons (sr., g); Tanner Sloan (sr., w); and Eli Emerson (sr., g). Coach Rick Sloan says he likes his team’s depth, experience and athleticism. … First-year Mt. Spokane coach David Wagenblast, a former Shadle Park assistant, inherits four returning starters – Sam Stiles (sr., g), Conner Verret (sr., p), Ben Stevens (sr., p) and Kyle Griffiths (sr., w). “We improved significantly through an offseason speed and conditioning program as well as a shooting camp,” Wagenblast said. “Our group is smart, hungry and eager to prove we belong.” … Shadle Park was picked seventh in the WIBCA rankings. The Highlanders bring back three starters, Andreas Brown (junior, g), Kobe Reece (sr., p) and Kylan Kelley (jr., g). “We like the guys we have,” coach Tim Gaebe said. “If we can get them to continually work hard, be tough and play together we can have a chance for some postseason play.” … Jase Wambold begins his third year at North Central. He has one returning starter in Riley Smith (sr., g). “Solid group of senior returners that have varsity experience and a roster that has the potential to go nine deep in games,” Wambold said. … University suffered a big loss when senior guard Spencer Matt suffered a season-ending knee injury during a summer tournament. He was a second team all-league pick last year. The Titans have two starters back in Noah Martin (sr., p) and Austin Dill (sr., g). “Pretty athletic group with good size,” coach Garrick Phillips said. “The chemistry will be strong and the boys will play together and share the ball.” … Gonzaga Prep returns four starters in Logan Adams (sr., g), Brandon Bieber (sr., g), Kea Vargas (jr., w) and Devin Culp (sophomore, forward). And the Bullpups may have the best freshman in the league in Anton Watson, a 6-6 forward. He’s the youngest brother of Deon Watson Jr., a two-sport standout at Coeur d’Alene who is playing football at the University of Idaho. “The sky’s the limit,” coach Matty McIntyre said of Watson. The Bullpups will get a slower start than most because of the deep playoff run by the football team. “December is going to be a whirlwind,” McIntyre said. “We’ll be thrown into the fire but that’s OK. That will help prepare us for the end of the year.” … Forgive Ferris coach Don Van Lierop if he seems a little distracted. A large tree fell on his house during the recent wind storm, and he and his family are living in a motel for a month. The Saxons return three starters – Jace Van Lierop (jr., g), Mike Ervin (soph., w) and Shamrock Campbell (soph., g). “Smart team that hopes to be playing its best at the end of the season,” Van Lierop said in a questionnaire. … Mead graduated all of its starters off a team that surged at the end and captured the district title. “We have good athleticism and quickness,” coach Glenn Williams said. “Inexperienced team will mature as season progresses and will look to peak at the end.” … Rogers had a sensational finish last year, advancing to state. The Pirates graduated four starters. The lone returning starter is KJ Hassett (sr., g), who can seemingly make 3-pointers from midcourt. “We are going to be a fun team to watch,” coach Joel Soter said. “We lost some big contributors last year but look forward to seeing what some of our young guys can do.”

Great Northern League

Outlook: Defending state champ Clarkston brings back three starters in Trevon Allen (senior, guard), Davian Sobotta (sr., g) and Jett Sobotta (junior, g). Allen, who is headed to the University of Idaho, was an all-state selection and the league’s most valuable player. “We feel like we have six to seven starter-quality players, which allows us to fill positions effectively,” coach Justin Jones said. “We need to replace our front line, but we feel our development of those positions is on track.” … Clarkston was ranked No. 1 in the WIBCA poll and Pullman was tabbed fifth. Pullman is expected to challenge Clarkston. The Greyhounds return three starters in Jake Cillay (jr., p), James Miles (sr., g) and Tim Pendry (jr., g). “Our team will play extremely smart,” coach Craig Brantner said. “We should be very good again. We play in a tough league and need to be ready to play each and every game.” … East Valley returns two starters in Tanner Jacobs (sr., g) and Dan Clayton (sr., g). “We have great team chemistry and we return seven players with significant varsity experience,” second-year coach Jason Wilson said. “We have good team speed and we expect to be a good shooting team as well.” … West Valley returns two starters – Austin Yoakum (sr., g) and Brennen Folkins (sr., w). “We have great kids who know their roles, enjoy playing together and want to do what’s necessary to be successful,” coach Jay Humphrey said.

Northeast A

Outlook: Freeman returns four starters in Christian Phillips (senior, forward), Jack Paukert (sr., guard), Ryan Maine (junior, g) and Nate Jacobus (sr., g). “We are hoping to build on the momentum built at the end of last season when we beat league champion Lakeside and then nearly upset Lakeside and Riverside in the (district) tournament,” coach Marty Jessett said. … Medical Lake was picked to win the league by two coaches. … Newport returns three starters and former coach Jamie Pancho. The starters who are back are Kyler Zorica (sr., g), Ty McDaniel (sr., p) and Koa Pancho (sophomore, g). “Once we figure out our identity and get more comfortable playing with each other, we have the leadership and experience to compete night in and night out,” Pancho said. … Riverside graduated its starters. First-year coach Gary Drumheller inherits a young and inexperienced team. … Two starters return for Deer Park. They are Carter Countryman (jr., g) and Connor Markam (sr., w). “If we can protect the ball we will be in games,” coach Chad Hand said. … Lakeside brings back Cameron Gay (sr., g), the lone returning first-team all-league pick, and Gunnar Swannack (sr., f). “A season of growth and gaining experience,” said coach Ron Cox, who is back a second time after serving as head coach for 16 years earlier. “A lot of potential to be a good team by the time we get to postseason.”

Northeast 2B

Outlook: District champ Liberty brings back four starters in Chase Burnham (junior, guard), Keith Dumaw (senior, post), Tyler Haas (jr., g) and Jake Pottratz (sr., g). “We’re starting to build a program with tradition,” coach Mike Thacker said. “We have returning players with experience.” … Wilbur-Creston returns just one starter, Dorian Jaeger (sr., g). “We could surprise some teams if the pieces fall together,” coach Tom Johnson said. … Kettle Falls has no returning starters off a team that finished 1-19. “We averaged about 26 turnovers a game last year,” first-year coach Jim Walker said. … Colfax brings back three starters – Keith Gfeller (sr., g), Danny Robinson (jr., g) and Kenton Lyman (sr., f). “We have good chemistry,” coach Reece Jenkin said. “If we continue to learn and improve over the course of the season we could be a tough team at the end of the year.” … Reardan returns two starters in Wyatt Thurman (sr., f) and Dustyn Rettkowski (sr., g). First-year coach Brian Graham said his team’s strengths are unknown at this point. “We’re hoping to be middle of the pack,” Graham said. … Northwest Christian didn’t graduate a starter off a team that qualified for state. Back are David Olds (sr., g), Nathan Sander (sr., f), Ryan Ricks (jr., g), Asher Cox (jr., f) and Ian Starkey (sr., g). NWC also returns the key reserves off the team that placed fifth at state. NWC is a heavy favorite to win its division in the two-division league and district title. The Crusaders were tabbed second in the WIBCA preseason poll. … Lind-Ritzville/ Sprague returns three starters, Jacob Saetre (sr., g), Wyatt Roettger (sr., g) and Dylan Becker (sr., g). “We should be improved from last season,” coach Dustan Arlt said. “We should compete for top spot in our division.”

Northeast 1B

Outlook: Wellpinit brings back three starters. They are Jason Holt (senior, guard), Cedric Brown (junior, g) and Brandon Flett (sophomore, forward). Coach Billy Flett expects his team to compete for the South Division title and one of the two regional berths from District 7. Almira/Coulee-Hartline, behind Dallas Isaak (sr., g), will challenge Wellpinit. ACH was picked No. 1 in the WIBCA rankings. … Republic is the favorite in the North Division with three starters back – Aaron Frittz (sr., g), Taylor Campbell (sr., g) and Aaron Helms (sr., f). “We are deeper and more experienced than any team in the North,” coach Dan Groom said. “Curlew still has some key returners and they live and breathe basketball up there.” … Curlew returns Gunner Brown, an all-district selection. … Gary Reese takes over at Cusick and reports three starters and five other lettermen back.

Southeast 1B

Outlook: Garfield-Palouse returns one starter off a team that finished 21-2. The Vikings’ season ended with a loss to Cusick in the regional round of state. Back is Matt Holbrook (senior, guard). “We have a good group of hard working kids,” coach Steve Swinney said. … Pomeroy, sixth at state last year, graduated all starters. Coach Brian Koller said eight players are vying for starting positions.

5A Inland Empire League

Outlook: Lewiston returns two starters and a talented core off an undefeated junior varsity team. Back are Braeden Wilson (sophomore, guard), the first freshman to start in Lewiston history, and Trystan Bradley (jr., post). Bradley was first-all-league. “We should compete for a state spot,” coach Jayson Ulrich said. “We have great team chemistry, athleticism, depth and quickness. We should have a good balanced attack from inside and out.” … Defending state champ Post Falls graduated all but one starter. The returning starter, Max McCullough (sr., g), was the league’s co-most valuable player. “We will be very good on ball defense and have the ability to pressure teams all over the court,” coach Mike McLean said. “We have five players who played in the state championship game last year, so that season-long experience is valuable.” … Coeur d’Alene returns two starters in Brody Lundblad (jr., g) and Joey Nacarrato (jr., forward). “We should be a much better perimeter shooting team,” coach Kurt Lundblad said. “We have no size this year. We are young and a work in progress.” … Lake City brings back one starter in Collin Hunter (sr., wing). Coach Jim Winger says he has the most inexperienced team in his career. “By the end of the year we’ll be pretty good defensively,” Winger said. “It’s baby steps right now and trying to get better every day.”

4A Inland Empire League

Outlook: Sandpoint, the heavy favorite, returns three starters – Davan Norris (senior, guard), Carlos Collado (sr., post) and Paul Sundquist (sr., forward). “Our overall strength and athleticism have made a dramatic improvement,” second-year coach Kent Leiss said. “We will be very physical and play excellent defense by season’s end. We are a little more skilled than last year.” … Lakeland, the league and regional champ last year, graduated four starters. Andrew Knight (sr., wing) returns. … First-year Moscow coach Josh Uhrig inherits three starters – Jason Myler (sr., p), Devin Carscallen (sr., p) and Glen Gosse (jr., g). “We will struggle a little bit early as we learn a new system,” Uhrig said. “But we should be successful as everyone gains confidence and understands their role.”

Intermountain League

Outlook: Kellogg is given the nod in what could be a highly competitive season. … Kellogg brings back two starters. They are Ryan Martin (senior, guard) and Dominic Easley (sr., g). “We play very unselfish basketball,” coach Jeff Lambert said. “This group gets along well and it shows on the court by playing team basketball.” … Timberlake returns four starters – Daniel Smith (sr., post), Thomas Hauck (sr., g), Ty George (sr., wing) and Brayden Menti (jr., g). “We run well, are long and play solid defense,” coach Tony Hanna said. “This team is full of kids willing to compete. This is going to be a fun team to watch play.” … Bonners Ferry returns two starters in Caleb Blackmore (sr., w) and Kaleb Stockton (jr., g). “We are going to be able to get up and down the floor,” coach Andy Rice said. “We have eight guys coming back from last year. Hopefully, we can build off our success last year and be a contender at the end of the year.” … Priest River returns Mason Clark (sr., g), Alex Simpkins (jr., g) and Zach Huddleston (jr., p).

Central Idaho League

Outlook: After playing a year of a mixed junior varsity and varsity schedule, Coeur d’Alene Charter rejoins St. Maries, Grangeville and Orofino. The Panthers bring back four starters in Chuck Fellini (senior, guard), Jeffrey Kirsch (sr., g), Eli Putren (junior, g) and Julianne Rubalcava (sr., g). Coach Jarrad Womack said speed and intelligence are his team’s strengths. … State 2A football champion Grangeville is given the nod over St. Maries. … After 10 years as the head girls coach at St. Maries, Bryan Chase takes over the boys team. He has one returning starter in Dakota Wilson (jr., g). Chase expects his team to play solid defense.

North Star League

Outlook: The newest league member, Genesis Prep of Post Falls, is tabbed as the favorite. It is coached by former longtime Post Falls assistant Marsell Colbert. … Wallace brings back one starter in Justin Bayer (senior, guard). “We’ll be athletic and have some depth,” coach Corey Miller said. “Out of my 20-plus seasons of coaching varsity sports, this is by far the youngest team I have ever had.” … Clark Fork returns three starters in Conery Vogel, Hunter Bouudousquie and Spenser Jeffres in George Thornton’s first year as head coach. … Lakeside graduated all five starters. “We’re not a very big team. However, our speed and quickness makes up for that,” first-year coach Butch Nomee said. … Mullan will learn next week if it will be allowed to use two eight graders to field a team. The school has just four players who have expressed an interest to play.