Idaho state boys preview: Post Falls leads six North Idaho teams to state
The Idaho boys state tournaments kick off on Thursday, with six North Idaho teams still competing to bring home a state title.
Post Falls, 5A
When: Thursday at 6:15 p.m. vs. Centennial (11-14, District 3 fourth seed)
Record: 18-5, 6-0 Inland Empire 5A champion
District: Beat Coeur d’Alene 56-31
Key players: F Jake Pfennigs, sr. (16.1 ppg, 10.4 rpg), F Tanner McCliment-Call, sr. (15.2 ppg), G Colby Gennett, so. (10.3 ppg)
Outlook: Eight Post Falls seniors have combined for cumulative 3.9 GPA and have accumulated 132 college credits. Finished fourth at state last year for coach Mike McLean.
Moscow, 4A
When: Thursday at 3 p.m. vs. Skyview (18-6, District 3 second seed)
Record: 10-13, 4-0 Inland Empire 4A champion
District: Beat Lakeland 56-46
Key players: G Gabe Quinnett, jr. (14.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg), G Cooper Stephens, sr. (11.7 ppg, 3.6 assists), G Peyton Broennecke, sr. (6.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg)
Outlook: Coach Josh Uhrig’s Bears played in consolation final last year at state.
Kellogg, 3A
When: Thursday at 1:15 p.m. vs. Kimberley (18-5, District 4 champ), Meridian HS
Record: 17-3, 6-0 Intermountain League champion
District: Beat Timberlake 69-51
Key players: G Chase Jerome, sr. (IML MVP), G Tyler Gibbons, sr. (All-IML), G Trevor Bumgardner, sr. (All-IML), G Grant Nearing, sr. (All-IML)
Outlook: The Wildcats were third at state last year for coach Jeff Nearing.
Timberlake, 3A
When: Thursday at 8 p.m. vs. Snake River (20-2, District 5 champ), Meridian HS
Record: 10-13, 4-2 IML second seed
District: Beat Bonners Ferry 75-56
Key players: G Jordan Hardy, sr. (11.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg, All-IML); P Colton Counts, sr. (11.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, all-IML); F Jacob James, so. (9.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg pg, all-IML)
Outlook: Second consecutive appearance at state tourney for coach Michael Scott. Played a tough schedule to prepare for the competition at state.
St. Maries, 2A
When: Thursday at 8 p.m. against Nampa Christian (16-6, District 3 second seed)
Record: 17-4, 4-0 Central Idaho League champion
District: Beat Grangeville 64-56
Key players: G Jackson Pritchard, jr. (13.4 ppg), P Glover Buell, sr. (11.5 ppg), P Daniel Howard, jr. (11.5 ppg)
Outlook: Coach Bryan Chase’s teams have won league and districts four years in a row and finished third at state last season.
Genesis Prep, 1ADII
When: Thursday at 3 p.m. vs. Council (18-4, District 3 champ)
Record: 19-4, 10-0 North Star League champion
District: Beat Lakeside 82-34
Key players: G Jonny Hillman, jr. (18.7 ppg. 3.3 assists), F Kon Ajang, jr. (12.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg), G Junior Williams, sr. (10.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 3.1 assists)
Outlook: The defending state champions predicate everything on defense and will try to take advantage of size matchups with 6-foot-9 Kon Ajang. Most teams at this level don’t see the types of athletes coach Marsell Colbert pulls together.