Players to Watch:
James Quillen, Alturas Prep
Korbin Russum-Stubbs, Alturas Prep
Keaton Archibald, Butte County
Koden Krosch, Butte County
Braden Kimball, Grace
Carson Reeves, Grace
Written by: Brandon Baney
Whether they’re competing in basketball or baking, the rivalry between Butte County and Grace is fierce. Oftentimes, they’re duking it out for the Class 2A High Desert Conference championship, no matter what sport it is, and this year’s boys basketball race figures to be similarly tight.
Butte County took four of five matchups against Grace a season ago en route to a district title and state tournament appearance. But the Grizzlies made the Pirates earn it. Between February 10th and 23rd, a two-week stretch, the two rivals played four times. Look at the results:
February 10th – Regular Season (Butte County 53, Grace 49)
February 14th – Districts (Butte County 65, Grace 63 in triple overtime)
February 21st – Districts (Grace 50, Butte County 47)
February 23rd – District Championship (Butte County 63, Grace 53)
Those four games were decided by a total of 19 points.
So how is this year’s battle shaping up? Butte County gets the preseason nod as the defending league champ, but the Pirates lost four impact seniors (Boston Andersen, Braxton Gamett, Rafe McAffee and Brody Westergard) off of last year’s state semifinal squad.
The Pirates also had to find a new head coach, as Mindy Gamett made the switch from coaching the boys to the girls at Butte County. Luckily, Butte County found a strong replacement: Todd Jensen, who’s won multiple state championships in girls basketball at both Marsh Valley and Sugar-Salem. Jensen most recently had been coaching girls basketball while serving as the Athletic Director at Murtaugh High School.
Jensen welcomes back starting guards Koden Krosch (senior) and Keaton Archibald (junior). Senior forward Razor Duke is ready for a bigger role this year, and coach Jensen’s son, junior forward McCoy Jensen, is a welcome addition.
“We’ll play with very high tempo and be aggressive,” says coach Jensen. “We’ll bring pressure, pressure and more pressure on defense and impose our physicality.”
Meanwhile, longtime Grace coach Rory Lloyd will try to replace six departed seniors (Joe Clegg, Kai Clegg, Rayff Jorgensen, Easton Lloyd, Koby Rindlisbaker, and Brennon Sorenson).
Fortunately, a strong group of juniors emerged last year, and they’re now ready for their senior season. The entire Grace starting lineup could be comprised of seniors this year. 5-foot-10 point guard Braden Kimball is joined in the backcourt by 5-foot-11 Derek Hill. 6-foot Carson Reeves, 6-foot-1 Carson Welch and 6-foot-1 Landon Moss will all play forward.
Alturas Prep is the third member of this year’s High Desert Conference. The Pumas competed in varsity basketball for the first time last season, albeit with an independent schedule. Alturas Prep opted to forgo competing in the district tournament, but this year’s team is a year older and a year stronger. Head coach Logan King will rely on a trio of juniors (Devin Huang, James Quillen and Korbin Russum-Stubbs) this season.