Minico senior and Utah State signee C.J. Latta will try to lead the Lady Spartans back to the 4A state tournament.
HANNAH KINSON, TIMES-NEWS
Dietrich junior Paje Van Tassell and the Lady Blue Devils received the state's top ranking in 1A DII in the first Idaho High School Girls Basketball Poll of the season.
Hard to believe, but the Magic Valley high school girls basketball regular season is in the homestretch. Conference play enters full swing this week and district tournaments begin at the end of the month. Here are how things stand as the competition starts to heat up. All rankings are according to the Idaho High School Girls Basketball Media Poll.
4A
No. 5 Jerome (12-3 overall, 6-1 conference) and Minico (9-5, 6-1) are atop the Great Basin Conference as the second half of conference play begins.
The Lady Tigers have won 10 in a row since a 54-51 loss to Twin Falls on Nov. 20. Jerome uses a nine player rotation when healthy, though are dealing with some injuries to start 2024, including to senior starter Emily Lloyd. Jerome had just seven players available in a 44-42 win over Twin Falls on Jan. 5.
Utah State signee CJ Latta, who could will her team back to the state tournament, leads the Lady Spartans. No team in the state has been able to stop Latta this season.
Minico has struggled to find consistent playmakers outside of Latta, and with turnovers. Jerome handed Minico its only conference loss, and the two teams meet again Jan. 17 in Rupert.
The top two teams in the district tournament will qualify for the state tournament. A senior-heavy Twin Falls (8-6, 4-3) team and a young Mountain Home (9-5, 5-2) squad could take one of the two spots in the Real Dairy Shootout if the Lady Tigers or Lady Spartans falter.
3A
As Sawtooth Central Idaho conference teams start their second time through district play, Filer (7-7, 3-0 as of press time Monday) remains the team to beat.
Filer boasts a 39-game conference win streak.
The Lady Wildcats have several kids who can lead the way on any given night, including seniors Allie Bishop, Hazel Fischer and Kate Jaques. Six-foot-2 junior Reese Hills is a mismatch inside, and sophomore Tanli LeMoyne and junior Kali Bowman can catch fire from outside. Bowman set a school-record eight 3-pointers on Dec. 13.
With only the district tournament winner heading to the state tournament and the second place finisher relegated to a play-in game, the three other teams will be gunning to stop Filer’s reign.
Kimberly (8-9, 1-1) seems like the best shot, and lost a 40-38 nailbiter at Filer on Dec. 7. The rematch comes in Kimberly on Jan. 16.
Lady Bulldogs freshman Taya Plew will be a player to watch in the Magic Valley for the rest of her high school career, and senior Macy Dille is reliable in the post.
Whoever advances to the state tournament will look to improve on last year’s showing from Filer and Buhl, who went 0-2 and lost each game by at least 19 points.
2A
Only No. 4 Declo and Wendell are fielding girls basketball teams in the Canyon Conference, and the Lady Hornets (12-4, 1-0 as of press time Monday) have the inside track to a third straight state tournament appearance after beating Wendell 40-25 on Dec. 18.
Seniors Lilly Mallory and Brynn Silcock led a senior-heavy squad. The Lady Hornets have wins over 2023 2A state qualifiers Ambrose, Ririe and West Side, as well as over 3a’s Buhl and Gooding.
If Declo can get back to the state tournament, it seeks its first state tournament win since 2020, going 0-2 each of their last two trips.
1A Division I
The Snake River Conference looks like a three team race between No. 3 Murtaugh (11-2, 3-0), defending state runner-up No. 4 Oakley (9-4, 3-0) and defending state champion No. 5 Raft River (10-2, 2-1).
Since losing a double overtime thriller to 1A D2 No. 1 Dietrich, the Red Devils have won nine straight with an average of 23.6 points per game since a double overtime thriller to 1A DII No. 1 Dietrich on Nov. 29.
The Lady Red Devils boast an excellent senior core featuring size inside with 6-foot-0 College of Southern Idaho volleyball signee Ashlee Stanger, 5-foot-11 Courtney Jensen and athleticism on the perimeter with Ady Stanger and Bryleigh Widmier.
The Lady Hornets are still in the hunt despite graduating seven seniors from last year, with seniors Kaymbri Beck and Jentry Hawker leading the charge.
Oakley owns two wins over Raft River and one over 2A Declo, and will host Murtaugh on Jan. 16.
The Lady Trojans’ only two losses this season are to Oakley, and they have wins over four state qualifiers from last year in 1A D2 Dietrich and Rockland, 1A D1 Liberty Charter and 3A Filer. Senior Reagan Jones stirs the drink for Raft River at point guard, and juniors Ryan Udy and Brooke Bingham have continued to improve.
The Lady Trojans visit Murtaugh for a pivotal matchup at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. The top two teams in the district tournament will advance to the state tournament, with the third place team advancing to a state play-in game.
1A Division II
No. 1 Dietrich (13-1) is a heavy favorite to win the Sawtooth Conference again, after a state runner-up finish in 2023.
The Lady Devils own wins over Murtaugh and Oakley, as well as No. 5 Mackay and fellow 1A DII state tournament qualifier Rockland.
Their only loss is to Raft River.
Senior Saige Hubert leads the way, but Dietrich can score inside and out. Hubert and Paje Van Tassell can light it up from the perimeter, Katilyn Wanamaker and Jessika Power can finish inside and Aleigha Robertson can slash right through a defense. The Lady Devils are fundamentally sound on the defensive end too, and hustle all over the court.
The pressure will be on Dietrich, though, as only the conference tournament winner advances to the state tournament. Two poor games and the Lady Devils season will be over. Keep an eye on Richfield (10-3) as a potential spoiler. The Lady Tigers have won six in a row, including wins over Mackay and Rockland.
Jerome junior Emma Allen high fives student fans on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, before a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
Jerome senior Autumn Allen looks to pass the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
Twin Falls junior Skylar Westburg goes for a layup on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
Jerome sophomore Jensen Cook shoots the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
Twin Falls junior Jasmine Morris prepares for a free throw on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
Twin Falls senior Rylee Robbins steals the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
Twin Falls senior Rylee Robbins shoots the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
Jerome junior Nyla Holtzen rests on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
Twin Falls senior Alyssa Okelberry passes the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
Jerome senior Autumn Allen catches a rebound on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
Twin Falls seniors Halle Walker and Rylee Robbins cheer on the sidelines on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
Twin Falls girls basketball defeated Jerome on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, at Jerome High School, 54-51.
Jerome junior Emma Allen high fives student fans on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, before a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Jerome senior Autumn Allen looks to pass the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Twin Falls junior Skylar Westburg goes for a layup on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Jerome junior Emma Allen (11) and the Tigers girls basketball team beat Twin Falls on Friday night for the Lady Tigers' 10th straight win.
HANNAH KINSON, TIMES-NEWS
Jerome senior Dakota Bussen and the Tigers will visit Twin Falls at 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 5. Twin Falls won in November, 54-51.
HANNAH KINSON, TIMES-NEWS
Jerome sophomore Jensen Cook shoots the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Twin Falls junior Jasmine Morris prepares for a free throw on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Twin Falls senior Rylee Robbins steals the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Twin Falls senior Rylee Robbins shoots the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Jerome junior Nyla Holtzen rests on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Twin Falls senior Alyssa Okelberry passes the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Jerome senior Autumn Allen catches a rebound on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Twin Falls seniors Halle Walker and Rylee Robbins cheer on the sidelines on Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Twin Falls and Jerome at Jerome High School. The Bruins defeated the Tigers, 54-51.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
PHOTOS: Kimberly girls basketball vs. Twin Falls
Oakley point guard Livee Berlinguet blocks Raft River junior Sadee Knudsen on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
Raft River junior Ryan Udy goes for a layup on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
Oakley guard Dakota Wadsworth dribbles the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
Raft River junior Brooke Bingham prepares for a free throw on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
Oakley guard Taylin Beck and point guard Chloee Larson reach for a rebound on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
Raft River senior Reagan Jones passes the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
Oakley players cheer from the sidelines on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
Raft River Brooke Bingham prepares for a tip-off on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at the beginning of overtime for a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
Raft River junior Ryan Udy and Oakley forward Makaye Cranney fight for possession of the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
Oakley girls basketball defeated Raft River in overtime on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at Oakley High School, 40-36.
Oakley point guard Livee Berlinguet blocks Raft River junior Sadee Knudsen on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Raft River junior Ryan Udy goes for a layup on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Oakley guard Dakota Wadsworth dribbles the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Raft River junior Brooke Bingham prepares for a free throw on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Oakley guard Taylin Beck and point guard Chloee Larson reach for a rebound on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Oakley guard Jentry Hawker, middle, is one of the returners on the Lady Hornets squad.
HANNAH KINSON, TIMES-NEWS
Oakley head coach Kristin Jones talks to her team during a huddle on Tuesday night against Raft River.
HANNAH KINSON, TIMES-NEWS
Raft River senior Reagan Jones passes the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Oakley players cheer from the sidelines on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Raft River Brooke Bingham prepares for a tip-off on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, at the beginning of overtime for a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Raft River junior Ryan Udy and Oakley forward Makaye Cranney fight for possession of the ball on Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Oakley and Raft River at Oakley High School. The Hornets defeated the Trojans in overtime, 40-36.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Wendell post Audra Bunn high fives head coach Tia Standlee on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, before a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
Dietrich senior Jessika Power catches a rebound on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
Wendell guard Kaleimys Nieves reaches for the ball on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
Wendell guard Brianna Egbert and Dietrich senior Saige Hubert fight for possession of the ball on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
Dietrich junior Paje Van Tassell steals the ball on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
Wendell guard Kaleimys Nieves goes for a layup on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
Dietrich junior Aleigha Robertson guards the ball on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
Dietrich junior Paje Van Tassell tries to steal the ball from Wendell post Audra Bunn on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
Wendell guard Kaleimys Nieves moves to catch the ball on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
Dietrich junior Paje Van Tassell and the Lady Blue Devils received the state's top ranking in 1A DII in the first Idaho High School Girls Basketball Poll of the season.
Wendell guard Kaleimys Nieves attempts a 3-pointer on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
Wendell girls basketball was defeated by Dietrich on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, at Wendell High School, 52-29.
Wendell post Audra Bunn high fives head coach Tia Standlee on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, before a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Dietrich senior Jessika Power catches a rebound on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Wendell guard Kaleimys Nieves reaches for the ball on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Wendell guard Brianna Egbert and Dietrich senior Saige Hubert fight for possession of the ball on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Dietrich junior Paje Van Tassell steals the ball on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Wendell guard Kaleimys Nieves goes for a layup on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Dietrich junior Aleigha Robertson guards the ball on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Dietrich junior Paje Van Tassell tries to steal the ball from Wendell post Audra Bunn on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Wendell guard Kaleimys Nieves moves to catch the ball on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
HANNAH KINSON TIMES-NEWS
Dietrich junior Paje Van Tassell and the Lady Blue Devils received the state's top ranking in 1A DII in the first Idaho High School Girls Basketball Poll of the season.
HANNAH KINSON, TIMES-NEWS
Wendell guard Kaleimys Nieves attempts a 3-pointer on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023, during a girls basketball game between Wendell and Dietrich at Wendell High School. The Trojans were defeated by the Blue Devils, 52-29.
Kimberly freshman Taya Plew prepares to shoot a 3-pointer on Dec. 19 during a girls basketball game between Kimberly and Twin Falls at Kimberly High School.
Dietrich junior Paje Van Tassell and the Lady Blue Devils received the state's top ranking in 1A DII in the first Idaho High School Girls Basketball Poll of the season.