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ALL-STATE BASKETBALL: Six area athletes grab prestigious accolades

MAX OSWALD | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 13 hours, 58 minutes AGO
by MAX OSWALD
I grew up in the small town of Orwigsburg, Pa., where I resided all of my life before moving to Sandpoint. I attended Blue Mountain High School, where I participated in cross country and track and field, a sport that I ended up falling in love with. I went on to attend and run for DeSales University (with other brief stints at Susquehanna University and Elizabethtown College) and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in sport communication with a minor in sport management. I remember just how great it made me feel when I was mentioned in my hometown newspaper. I want to be able to give that feeling to every athlete in Bonner County, no matter how big or small their accomplishments are. As an athlete myself, I know how many hours of work are put in on a daily basis, and that hard work deserves to be recognized. It is my goal to cover as much of the Bulldogs, Spartans and Wampus Cats as I can. I want to work with every athlete, parent, coach, administrator and the community to ensure the best stories are published. | April 2, 2026 1:00 AM

BOISE — Sandpoint High junior guard Brecken Mire, who led the Lady Bulldogs to a state runner-up finish and to a record of 21-6, was named to the 5A Girls First Team as the All-Idaho high school boys and girls basketball teams were announced last week by The Idaho Statesman newspaper of Boise.

Mire, a 5-foot-10-inch standout and a Second Team pick a year ago, averaged 16.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 2.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per game.

Bonners Ferry High junior guard Taren Bateman was named to the 4A Girls First Team. The 5-foot-8-inch standout averaged 21.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.7 steals and 2.0 blocks for the Lady Badgers.

Sandpoint High junior guard Jordyn Tomco was named to the 5A Girls Second Team. The 5-foot-9-inch standout averaged 15.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 2.6 steals for the Lady Bulldogs.

Bonners Ferry High senior forward Sulay Abubakari was named to the 4A Boys First Team. The 6-foot-7-inch standout averaged 17.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals for the Badgers, which reached the state title game for the fourth consecutive year.

Bonners Ferry High junior guard Peyton Hinthorn was named to the 4A Boys Second Team. The 6-foot-5-inch standout averaged 19.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Badgers.

Clark Fork High senior forward Owen Howard was named to the 2A Boys Second Team. The 6-foot-5-inch standout averaged 21.2 points, 13.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 3.2 steals and 3.5 blocks for the Wampus Cats.

The All-Idaho teams are selected by the state’s coaches. The Stateman publishes the results.

5A ALL-STATE GIRLS BASKETBALL

Player of the Year  Abby Lusk (G/F), sr., Pocatello.

Coach of the Year — Sunny Evans, Pocatello.

First Team — Brecken Mire (G), jr., Sandpoint; Lexi Longhurst (G), jr., Mountain Home; Kaia Kesler (G), jr., Hillcrest; Karstyn Kiefer (G), sr., Lakeland

Second Team — Jocelyn Llyod (G), so., Burley; Oakley Talbot (G), fr., Blackfoot; Jordyn Tomco (G/F), jr., Sandpoint; Adalynn Olmos (G), so., Burley; Juli Donez (G/F), sr., Mountain Home.

4A ALL-STATE GIRLS BASKETBALL

Player of the Year — Halle Wells (F), jr., Bear Lake.

Coach of the Year — Ken Wells, Bear Lake.

First Team — Andee Petterson (G), jr., Sugar-Salem; Malia Miller (G), jr., Timberlake; Taya Plew (G), jr., Kimberly; Taren Bateman (G), jr., Bonners Ferry.

Second Team — Macy Murphey (G), jr., Timberlake; Ellie Shirts (G), sr., Weiser; Izzy Tinney (G), sr., McCall-Donnelly; Tasha Larsen (G), sr., Sugar-Salem; Zayli Merzlock (F), jr., Marsh Valley.

4A ALL-STATE BOYS BASKETBALL

Player of the Year — Soren Fraas (G), so., Cole Valley Christian.

Coach of the Year — Leif Karlberg, Cole Valley Christian.

First Team — Luke Nelson (G), sr., Teton; Sulay Abubakari (F), sr., Bonners Ferry; Jaxson Smith (G), sr., Marsh Valley; Jamin Hughes (G), so., Cole Valley Christian.

Second Team — Cooper Kollmann (G), jr., Cole Valley Christian; Peyton Hinthorn (G), jr., Bonners Ferry; Canon Kunz (F), jr., Teton; Bridjer Howard (F), jr., Snake River; Bridger Pope (G), jr., Gooding.

2A ALL-STATE BOYS BASKETBALL

Player of the Year — Tyson Charley (F), sr., Lakeside.

Coach of the Year — James Twoteeth, Lakeside

First Team — Ralli Roetcisoender (G/F), sr., Kendrick; Hallah Peone (G), sr., Lakeside; Logan Ellis (F), jr., North Star Charter; Nathan Tweit (G/F), sr., Kendrick.

Second Team — Patrick Schlader (F), sr., Prairie; Owen Howard (F), sr., Clark Fork; Parker Yost (F), sr., Grace; Devin Christensen (G), jr., Valley; Teagan Brown (G), fr., Lakeside.

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