Players to Watch:
Mason Hill, Canyon Ridge
Kade McEntire, Canyon Ridge
Marshall Glenn, Highland
Tracen Tripple, Highland
Carter Lerwill, Madison
Nash Humpherys, Madison
Isaac Sautter, Rigby
Jace Walker, Rigby
Camden Bateman, Thunder Ridge
Deegan Branson, Thunder Ridge
Written by: Marlowe Hereford
Last year's 5A District 5-6 teams move to 6A this season and add Canyon Ridge, last year's 4A District 4 regular season champion, to make a five-team conference this year.
Madison, winner of last year's 5A state third place trophy, returns one starter in Nash Humpherys, who recently signed with Boise State. The Bobcats graduated four seniors, including all-conference Player of the Year Berrett Wilson and all-conference first team selection Chase Crane, from last year's 24-3 team which went undefeated versus conference opponents. Seniors Carter Lerwill and Bryce Wilson also return for the Bobcats.
"Really excited about this year's team and what we can do," said head coach Shane Humpherys. "We have a lot of work ahead of us, but are excited for the challenge. Nash Humpherys will need to take a major leadership role this year."
Coach Humpherys said the Bobcats aim to improve their zone defense and overall pace on offense.
"We should play with great pace and shoot the ball well," Humpherys said.
Rigby, in its 15th season under head coach Justin Jones, graduated seven from last year's 8-14 team, including Ridge Nield (second team all-conference) and Reggie Groom (honorable mention all-conference). Junior guard Braxton Miller (honorable mention all-conference), senior forward Jace Walker (second team all-conference) and junior guard Isaac Sautter (honorable mention all-conference) return for the Trojans, who also add senior guard Connor Davenport, a Thunder Ridge transfer.
Thunder Ridge graduated three from last year's 13-11 team, including first team all-conference forward Hudson Harker. The Titans have a new coach in TJ Trane and return junior forward Camden Bateman (second team all-conference) and junior guard Deegan Branson (honorable mention all conference).
Highland graduated seven from last year's 11-15 team, including all-conference first team selections Ridge Barela and Owen Wilde. The Rams, who are in their third season under head coach Matt Stucki, return junior guard Marshall Glenn (honorable mention all-conference), senior forward Mukudzei Traore and senior center Markell Bowens.
Highland also adds junior guard Tracen Tripple, a transfer from New Plymouth.
The newest member to the conference, Canyon Ridge, went 17-7 overall last season in 4A and is in its second season under head coach Alex Wells. The Riverhawks return senior guard Kade McEntire (first team all-conference), senior center Mason Hill (first team all-conference), and senior guards Dylan Brown and David Rothweiler (honorable mention all-conference).