Players to Watch:
Josh Gardner, Clearwater Valley
Hyson Scott, Clearwater Valley
TJ Beyer, Deary
Wyatt Vincent, Deary
Noah Bollman, Genesee
Vince Crowley, Genesee
Rhett Crow, Highland
Trevor Knowlton, Highland
Carter Wilcox, Nezperce
Carter Williams, Nezperce
Nathan Wassmuth, St. John Bosco
Cody Weckman, St. John Bosco
Korbin Christopherson, Timberline
Ares Mabberly, Timberline
Written by: Brandon Baney
When discussing this year’s Class 1A Whitepine League race, any conversation must start with the departure of 800-pound gorilla Kendrick. The Tigers have not only claimed the Whitepine League title each of the past two seasons, but Kendrick won the 1A state championship in 2023-24.
But the Tigers have moved up a classification level. Taking their place are Genesee and Clearwater Valley, who has dropped down from the Class 2A ranks. The Bulldogs struggled to find their footing amongst 2A Whitepine powers like Lapwai, Kamiah and Potlatch a season ago, but head coach Tyler Bollman is hopeful that a move down will aid Genesee this season.
Genesee will rely on 6-foot-3 senior forward Vince Crowley to anchor the inside game. Crowley will be flanked by a pair of seniors (Kalitri Hubbard and Andrew Rector) and a pair of sophomores (Noah Bollman and Jackson Banks) on the perimeter.
Clearwater Valley dropped down as well, but not because their enrollment reached Class 1A levels. Rather, the Rams petitioned to move down based upon competitive reasons, and their request was granted. As Alana Curtis enters her second season on the job, she’ll look to senior forward Josh Gardner to provide leadership. Junior guards Timuni Moses, Matthew Louwien and Hyson Scott also show great potential for CV this season.
As for the 1A Whitepine regulars, the Deary Mustangs finished 13-10 last season, and joined the Tigers at state. Unfortunately, Deary’s state run ended before it could get started, as the Mustangs had to face Kendrick in the opening round. A narrow, seven-point loss to Watersprings sent Deary home with an 0-2 mark, then five seniors departed via graduation.
“Laithan Proctor, Blaine Clark, Tucker Ashmead, Dallen Stapelton and Lakye Taylore will be missed a TON,” says head coach Jalen Kirk. “They had a lot of experience, as they were all varsity starters since the 10th grade. Their IQ, shooting ability, size, everything….they were top athletes at Deary High School, and we are starting fresh this year.”
The new crop of Mustangs includes seniors Wyatt Vincent, TJ Beyer, Mason Leonard, and Gabe Johnston, juniors Jacob Mechling, Jaymon Keen and Nolan Hubbard, and sophomore Blake Clark. “Our general style of offense this year will be a ton of movement, trying to find any mismatch we can,” says coach Kirk. “If possible, we would like to run up and down the floor if the opportunity presents itself, so that the defense can’t get set. Second chance opportunities and offensive boards will be a HUGE emphasis.”
With so many fresh faces experiencing varsity basketball for the first time, Kirk knows that each night will be a learning opportunity. “We don’t have huge expectations and are under the radar,” he says. “We just have to play incredibly hard and make sure we keep getting better as the year goes on.”
“Who wants it more? If it’s our guys, we might have a good year. And of course, the basketball gods need to gift us with some good shooting percentages,” Kirk jokes.
The Highland Huskies finished third in the Whitepine last season, then watched 6-foot-4 twin towers Ty Goeckner and Noah Watson graduate. Also gone is guard/facilitator Gage Crow. But everyone else is back for head coach Monty Moddrell, including 6-foot-4 senior Trevor Knowlton, 5-foor-10 senior Aiden Miller, and 5-foot-8 sophomore Rhett Crow.
Nezperce and St. John Bosco have each been singled out by opposing league coaches as potential dark horse threats in 2024-25. The Nighthawks will be led by the returning All-Conference duo of senior guards Zane Wilcox and Carter Williams. Senior Aiden McLeod, sophomore Brennan McLeod and sophomore Jace Cronce are all expected to start as well. The only potential problem with Nezperce is a lack of height. Williams is the tallest starter at 6-foot even.
The Patriots of St. John Bosco will feature a lineup of all underclassmen this season. Juniors Tommy Rose and Connor Nuxoll will be joined by a trio of sophomores in Henry Baldwin, Cody Weckman and Nathan Wassmuth. “They never quit,” says Deary coach Jalen Kirk. “They have a motor like no other, and are always in the game due to that.”
At Timberline, football coach Pat Christopherson will also be leading the boys basketball team for the first time, and he’ll turn to some familiar faces in quarterback Korbin Christopherson and wide receiver Ares Mabberly for guidance.