Athletes, coach recognized at North Idaho HOF Sports Banquet

COEUR d’ALENE — The 61st annual North Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame Awards Banquet was held Saturday, April 8, at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Six Bonner County athletes were recognized: Priest River, Matyus McLain; Sandpoint, Aliya Strock, Taylor Mire, Evan Dickinson, Rusty Lee; Clark Fork, Paige Valliere. William Love, head coach of Sandpoint girls basketball, was also recognized.

Male Athlete of the Year 3A-1A

Matyus McLain, Priest River: McLain was third in the discus, sixth in the shot put, sixth on the 400 relay and also 10th in the 100 meters at the state 3A track and field meet last year. Priest River dropped to 2A this year and in football, he was the Central Idaho League’s Lineman of the Year. He also earned first-team all-league honors as a tight end and defensive lineman. The Idaho Statesman also selected him as first-team all-state on the defensive line, where he had 112 tackles and seven sacks. In wrestling, he won the 2A state title at 220 pounds. He was the No. 1 seed at the state tournament and won three of his four matches by pin to finish the season 49-9. McLain will join the Vandal football team this fall.

Female Athlete of the Year 5A-4A

Aliya Strock, Sandpoint: Strock earned all-state honors in two sports. In basketball, she was the 4A Inland Empire League Player of the Year and a first-team all-state selection for 4A by the Idaho Statesman. She helped the Bulldogs capture the program’s first state title and averaged 14.3 points, 4.6 steals, 4.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game with 47% on field goals. In soccer, she was first-team all-league and a second-team all-state selection. She helped the Bulldogs to a fourth-place finish at state. Strock was also named the Girls Basketball Athlete of the Year for the 5A-4A classification.

Girls Golf Athlete of the Year 5A-4A

Taylor Mire, Sandpoint: Mire had the lowest score of all North Idaho golfers at state with a 152 total on the Sage Lakes Golf Course. With rounds of 75 and 77, she finished at 12 over par and in seventh place, helping the Bulldog girls place third.

Boys Soccer Athlete of the Year 5A-4A

Evan Dickinson, Sandpoint: Dickinson helped the Bulldogs to a fifth-place finish at state. He was the MVP of the Inland Empire League for 4A and also a first-team all-Idaho Statesman selection as a defender.

Girls Volleyball Athlete of the Year 3A-1A

Paige Valliere, Clark Fork: Valliere was voted MVP of the North Star League and was an honorable mention selection to the Idaho Statesman’s Class 1A Division II all-state team. In one match this year, she recorded 29 assists and 10 service aces. The senior captain played setter for the Wampus Cats and helped lead the team to the district title and a berth in the state tournament.

Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year 5A-4A

Rusty Lee, Sandpoint: Lee placed fourth or better in four events at state in 4A for the Bulldogs. He was second in both the 100 and 300 hurdles, and then was fourth in the high jump. He also ran on the Sandpoint medley relay team, which placed fourth. Lee had 24 of Sandpoint’s 40 team points at state.

Girls Coach of the Year 5A-4A

Will Love, Sandpoint basketball: Love led Sandpoint to its first state title in basketball — boys or girls. Sandpoint finished the year 20-5 and was the No. 3 seed at the state tournament. Four of its losses came against larger 5A schools. At state, Sandpoint won its opener by five, then its semifinal game by 15 and then beat top-ranked and No. 1 seed Shelley 69-65 for the state crown. Love was also named the state’s 4A coach of the year by the Idaho Statesman.

Duane Hagadone High Character Award

The third annual Duane Hagadone High Character Award winners were announced at the banquet as well. This award goes to a nominated female and male athlete from each school. Recipients of the award are students who excel in the classroom, as a teammate, has outstanding work ethic and integrity, displays sportsmanship and true character in all walks of life, and is just an all-around good individual.

Clark Fork: Emily Myers, Hank Barnett

Priest River: Allyson Barton, Luke Butler

Sandpoint: Kelsey Cessna, Parker Pettit

OTHER

In addition to winning the Duane Hagadone High Character Award, Priest River’s Allyson Barton won a $500 scholarship at the conclusion of the banquet.