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Welcome to "What's On Tap," where we'll highlight the games on the IdahoSports.com broadcast schedule. Most of these games just happen to be the best matchups around the state. If there's a big game on tap on IdahoSports.com, we'll break it down for you right here, each and every week.
Tuesday, Jan. 28th
Challis at Grace Lutheran (Doubleheader)
5:30 PM
Watch Live (Girls Basketball)
Watch Live (Boys Basketball)
This 1A Rocky Mountain Conference battle serves as the regular season finale for each girls' team. Challis (6-2 RMC, 12-4 overall) can force a three-way tie for second place with a win. In that scenario, the Vikings would only need to finish second or third to drop to the side of the district tournament bracket opposite regular season champ Rockland. Grace Lutheran (4-4 RMC, 7-8 overall) could finish anywhere between fifth and seventh place depending upon the outcome of this game. The boys contest is a critical one for both teams. The Vikings (4-2 RMC, 9-8 overall) are enjoying success after petitioning down a classification level during the offseason, but can't afford to slip any further behind Watersprings, Rockland and Mackay in the RMC standings (all three of those teams have one loss each). Grace Lutheran (3-4 RMC, 8-4 overall) will be one game behind Challis with a win.
Valley at Hagerman (Boys Basketball)
7:30 PM
Watch Live
Although there's quite a bit of runway left in the regular season, this contest feels like a must-win game for Hagerman (9-2 Snake River Conference, 9-4 overall). That's because no one has been able to crack the code when it comes to Valley (11-0 SRC, 13-0 overall). Each team is chock full of standouts: in the past two weeks, Hagerman's Ky Kendall surpassed 1,000 points in his Hagerman career, and broke his own record for most three-point baskets in one game with nine. Valley, meanwhile, features athletic scorers Pedro Robles and Nathan Christensen, and senior point guard Josh Hardy is a steady distributor. The Vikings won the first matchup between this teams 64-29, so Hagerman will be extra motivated to exact revenge.
Thursday, Jan. 30th
Salmon River at Kendrick (Doubleheader)
6:00 PM (PT)
Watch Live (Boys Basketball)
Watch Live (Girls Basketball)
This non-conference double dip features programs that are used to winning at the state's highest levels. The Kendrick girls, last year's Class 1A Division II (now 1A) champs, moved up to the Class 2A level this season, and have found life to be a tad more difficult. Kendrick is 7-9 overall competing against Whitepine League standouts like Prairie, Lapwai and Kamiah. Salmon River (13-5) qualified for the state tournament last season, but the perpetually young Savages (only two seniors this year) have been a step behind Tri-Valley this year in the Long Pin Conference. In the boys contest, Salmon River (3-11) has improved in recent weeks, but is still searching for sustained success. Kendrick (7-7) has been on a bit of a roller-coaster this year in the 2A Whitepine League, and has been playing without one of their best players, Ralli Roetciscoender, recently. The Tigers won the first matchup in Riggins 76-19.
Centennial at Kuna (Girls Basketball)
7:30 PM
Watch Live
Looking for a dark horse in the 6A Southern Idaho Conference as district tournament play begins? Look no further than Kuna. The Kavemen (4-5 SIC, 7-12 overall) are just one game behind both Timberline and Capital in the loss column for sixth place, and own the head-to-head tie-breaker over each team. Sharp-shooting guard Sarah Walker keys the Kuna attack against Centennial (1-8 SIC, 7-12 overall).
Madison at Shelley (Girls Basketball)
7:30 PM
Watch Live
Madison (12-7) and Shelley (7-12) each qualified for state a year ago, with Shelley winning the 4A (now 5A) state championship. But both are in danger of missing out this season, as each are looking up at multiple teams ahead of them in their respective divisions. Shelley is locked into the fourth seed at the 5A High Country Conference district tournament, while Madison is tied with Thunder Ridge for second in the 6A High Country Conference standings. This non-conference game serves as a get-right game for both squads.
Pocatello at Idaho Falls (Girls Basketball)
7:30 PM
Watch Live
Pocatello (17-2) has sights on winning the state championship after losing a heart-breaking semifinal to Skyline at last year's state tourney. The Thunder are impressive, averaging 59 points per game and only yielding 36 points per game to the opposition. With the dynamic duo of 6-foot-1 Abby Lusk and 6-foot-3 Kenna Garza up front, Pocatello is tough to stop on the boards. Idaho Falls (9-10) has played a rigorous schedule this season, and just lost to league leader (and chief rival) Skyline by three points last week. Emma Vollmer and company have been painstakingly close to achieving a breakthrough win this year. Could a home date with Pocatello serve as a momentum-builder ahead of the postseason?
Friday, Jan. 31st
Victory Charter at Notus (Doubleheader)
6:00 PM
Watch Live (Girls Basketball)
Watch Live (Boys Basketball)
The Victory Charter girls (5-5 Western Idaho Conference, 7-10 overall) find themselves squarely in fifth place in the bloated 13-team WIC. Not quite good enough to contend for the regular season title, but not totally out of the mix for one of the 2.5 bids available to state from this league. The Notus girls (2-6 WIC, 3-12 overall) are a young team that is learning on-the-job this year. The Pirates roster consists of two seniors, one sophomore and five freshmen. The boys contest features a pair of strong, athletic squads with designs on winning the regular-season WIC title. Victory Charter is just 7-8 overall but 4-1 in the WIC. Notus, meanwhile, is 10-4 overall and 4-2 in WIC action. In order to keep pace with league leader Riverstone (4-0 WIC, 12-1 overall), this is a must-win game for both teams.
Saturday, Feb. 1st
Grangeville at Priest River (Doubleheader)
12:30 PM (PT)
Watch Live (Girls Basketball)
Watch Live (Boys Basketball)
The Priest River girls (3-2 Central Idaho League, 10-5 overall) have enjoyed a breakthrough season, but have hit a bit of a wall recently. Last week, the Spartans fell to Grangeville 69-34 and Orofino 37-34 for their first CIL losses of the season. Now Grangeville (5-0 CIL, 12-5 overall) heads to Priest River for a rematch. This Grangeville team is not only the team to beat in the CIL, but is a bona fide state championship contender. In the boys contest, Priest River (4-1 CIL, 10-3 overall) finds itself at the top of the CIL standings, thanks to a comeback win at nine-time defending league champ St. Maries last week. After the signature win over the Lumberjacks, though, Priest River fell at home to Orofino, 53-38, and are now tied with St. Maries in the loss column. Grangeville (0-4 CIL, 3-10 overall) regularly starts five sophomores, so this is a bit of a learning year for the Bulldogs.
Garden Valley at Watersprings (Boys Basketball)
3:00 PM
Watch Live
This is a showdown of top-five ranked teams, and it wouldn't surprise anyone to see these teams also battle at the 1A State Tournament. Watersprings (13-2) had an interesting week; the Warriors defeated top-ranked Rockland 69-47 to assume control of the Rocky Mountain Conference, only to stub their toes in a 49-45 loss to Mackay two nights later. Watersprings features 6-foot-11 center Titus Driver, a matchup problem for most opponents. But Garden Valley (11-5) is up to the task, as their roster features eight players six-feet or taller.
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