Some things to look forward to, as the local high school boys basketball season is underway:

BORDER BATTLE II: Post Falls and Gonzaga Prep two of the best teams in their respective states in recent years, meet for the second time in three seasons, tonight at 7 at The Arena at Post Falls.

Two years ago, Anton Watson had a big night as Gonzaga Prep won 68-51 at Post Falls. The former Coeur d’Alene resident, then a junior at Prep, had 28 points, 12 rebounds, three steals, two assists, one block and a handful of dunks for the Bullpups, ranked No. 1 in 4A in the Seattle Times preseason poll.

Gonzaga Prep went on to win state titles in 2018 and ’19, and Watson is now seeing meaningful minutes at Gonzaga — or at least he was, until suffering an ankle injury last week in a tournament in the Bahamas.

Post Falls went on to reach the semifinals at state, eventually losing in the third-place game.

Post Falls has just one player left that played in that game two years ago — Colby Gennett, now a senior. Gennett led the Trojans with 10 points in that game.

Gonzaga Prep guard Liam Lloyd, then a sophomore, scored eight points in that game. Lloyd, son of Gonzaga assistant and ace international recruiter Tommy Lloyd, recently signed with Grand Canyon University in Phoenix.

Two nights ago, Lloyd poured in 46 points in a 87-76 loss at Central Valley.

Prep’s coach, Matty McIntyre, was born and raised in Post Falls, and graduated from Gonzaga Prep.

The teams didn’t play last year, as Prep had an opportunity to play in an out-of-state tournament. Post Falls, with a sophomore-laden team last year, went on to place third at state.

And, no matter what happens tonight, it will be interesting to watch that Post Falls team, with senior and four-year varsity standout Colby Gennett coupled with a group with a year of varsity experience under its belt, look to take the next step this season.

FANTASTIC FROSH: Can’t remember too many freshmen boys making an immediate impact at Lake City — or any other area 5A school — for that matter.

This year, three ninth-graders could play key roles, so the next four years could be real interesting for the Timberwolves.

WHERE’S JONNY?: For the first time since the 2014-15 season, Genesis Prep coach Marsell Colbert is guiding a Jaguars team that does not include star guard Jonny Hillman.

Hillman burst onto the scene as a shaggy-haired freshman and led Genesis Prep to two state championships and two third-place finishes in his four season with the Jaguars.

A knee injury at districts last year sidelined him for the state tournament, but even with him watching from the bench, Genesis Prep nearly three-peated anyway, losing a tight semifinal game to eventual champion Lighthouse Christian.

Hillman is now hooping it up at NAIA Carroll College in Helena, Mont.

The Jaguars have just three returning players this year, and are preparing to move up a division next year, to 1A Division I, next season. After battling it out with the likes of Dietrich in recent years, Genesis Prep will have to go through powerhouses like Lapwai, starting next year.

But until then ...

Lakeside has had a young, up-and-coming team the past two years, but could never get past Genesis Prep to secure the district’s lone berth to state.

Perhaps this year?

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at mnelke@cdapress.com. Follow him on Twitter@CdAPressSports.