Players to Watch:
Tate Schumacher, Grangeville
Tate Thacker, Grangeville
Brodie Robinson, Kellogg
Draeden Taylor, Kellogg
Aiden Olive, Orofino
Hudson Schneider, Orofino
Palmer Coleman, Priest River
Lucas Mathews, Priest River
Jack Barta, St. Maries
JJ Yearout, St. Maries
Written by: Brandon Baney
What the St. Maries boys basketball program has been able to accomplish in the ten years that Bryan Chase has been the head coach is nothing short of remarkable. Chase had previously coached the St. Maries girls for eight years, finishing with a record of 86-97. Then, in 2014, Chase switched to the boys team, and the results speak for themselves:
A win-loss record of 194-65
10 state tournament appearances in 10 seasons
4 third-place finishes
2 second-place finishes
1 state championship (in 2021)
The Lumberjacks have competed in three of the past six state championships at the 3A (previously 2A) level, so it goes without saying: anyone wishing to win the Central Idaho League has to go through St. Maries first.
And yet, as Chase enters his 11th season at St. Maries, the slightest cracks have started to form. The Lumberjacks started last season slowly, going 1-5 out of the gates before rallying late to win its tenth consecutive district title. St. Maries had to face #1 overall seed Cole Valley Christian in the opening round, and a loss to the Chargers snapped St. Maries’ streak of nine straight wins in the first round at state.
Among the Lumberjacks’ losses to graduation are 6-foot-5 post Wyatt Holmes, the CIL MVP a year ago, as well as 6-foot-2 shooting guard Seth Swallows, an All-CIL selection.
Chase will build around two returning starters: junior point guard Jack Barta and junior wing JJ Yearout. They’ll combine with junior guard Isaiah Gustaffe to form the foundation of this year’s team. “We are still pretty young, but we’re quick and athletic,” says Chase. “We have a lot of guards that are capable scorers and defenders.”
The Lumberjacks’ inside game will be anchored by 6-foot-3 senior Hayden Defoort and 6-foot-7 senior Trenton Riberich. As always, though, St. Maries fans can expect to see nine or ten players take the floor with regularity. Julian Ceja-Grimaldo, Brock Barta, Kayson Sexton, Keanne Garcia, Jaxson Harold and Landon Riberich will all fight for minutes.
“We will have to mix it up with full court pressure and half court traps,” says Chase. “Our keys will be spacing, taking care of the basketball, and tempo.”
St. Maries’ biggest challenger appears to be Orofino. The Maniacs actually defeated St. Maries last January 81-69 in a breakthrough win for coach Rocky Barlow’s team. All five starters return, and coach Barlow is clear about Orofino’s goal this year. “We have a good opportunity to win the league,” he says. “It’s been a long time since that’s been done.”
Four of the five starters from a year ago were sophomores, and their continued development will be fascinating to watch. 6-foot-1 junior Hudson Schneider, an All-League selection last year, starts at point guard. He’s joined by 5-foot-8 junior Quinton Naranjo at shooting guard. 6-foot-1 junior Jake Runia starts at small forward, while 6-foot-3 junior Nick Bonner plays power forward. Rounding out the starting five is the lone senior, 6-foot-4 center Aiden Olive, another All-CIL pick last year.
Kellogg went 7-14 last season, and only lost three seniors to graduation. Senior Brodie Robinson, junior Radley McDonald and sophomore Porter Lewis will start at guard for the Wildcats, while junior Draeden Taylor and sophomore Ty Cheney will handle the forward spots for coach Mike Martin.
Priest River is a team that’s bubbling with potential. 6-foot senior Palmer Coleman was an All-CIL selection last year, and he’s a part of a quintet of seniors this year for the Spartans. In addition to Coleman, head coach Jaden Barrett will rely on seniors Sawyer Stoudt, Nate Stiffel, Brock Kreager and Carter Cook. 6-foot-1 junior Lucas Mathews is also a player to keep an eye on at Priest River.
Grangeville is led by former Prairie head coach Shawn Wolter. Wolter enters his second season with the Bulldogs and his entire starting five is comprised of sophomores. Tate Schumacher and Troy Long will be the primary ball-handlers. Tate Thacker will play on the wing, while 6-foot-2 posts Gage Smith and Carson Astle start inside.