5A Northern Idaho 2020-21 Preview

<p>While most of the focus often remains on the high school basketball scene in southern Idaho, the northern Idaho teams are always trying to prove themselves whenever they come to town. As there are only so many teams up north, a lot of these games are played against great competition in Washington to allow the players to gear up for the regular season. Here is my breakdown of each 5A team in the north.</p> <p><strong>Coeur d’ Alene Vikings:</strong> After a 7-19 season last year, the Vikings led by coach Tony Hanna will attempt to right the ship in 2020-21. The Vikings had a young roster last season and a lot of their players gained invaluable game experience which will help them this year. This summer will be big for CDA to make sure that all of their guys are in the gym together and getting ready to use their experience and youth to their advantage. Watch for [player_tooltip player_id="919691" first="Alex" last="Karns"], a guard/forward with a good-looking jumper and great rebounding skills, and Cameron Cope, a guard/forward with the ability to finish at the rim and a great defender.</p> <p><strong>Lake City Timberwolves: </strong>The T-Wolves finished 18-14 last season, under coach Jim Winger, with a very young roster including three freshmen listed and only two seniors. Lake City will try to make a run for the top spot in the conference in 2020-21 in hopes of earning a bid to the state tournament and showing the power of the north down south. Look out for point guard Ben Janke, a crafty finisher around the rim with great hands and instincts on defense and [player_tooltip player_id="919672" first="Jack" last="Kiesbuy"], a 6’5" left-handed shooting guard with a quick release and a beautiful pull-up jumper.</p> <p><strong>Lewiston Bengals: </strong>The 2020-21 season has the potential to be a breakout year for the Bengals. After going 17-12 under head coach Jayson Ulrich with no seniors on the roster, the Bengals have the potential to have a ton of experienced players come together to compete for a shot at a state title run. Watch for Kash Lang, a 6’3" shooting guard who finishes well around the rim and has deep range, and Jace McKarcher, a point guard that can flat-out stroke and a willing passer to lead the way for Lewiston.</p> <p><strong>Post Falls Trojans:</strong> Perhaps the best team in the north, the Trojans will look to avenge their second-place state finish after an impressive 22-4 season under coach Mike McLean. Post Falls will only lose two seniors and they should be stacked with all sorts of talent heading into the 2020-21 season. Losing in the state championship title game is always heartbreaking and fuel to return the next season with a vengeance. Look for [player_tooltip player_id="919684" first="Caden" last="McLean"], a catch-and-shoot shooter with great court vision to lead a roster full of shooters toward a run at the state title.</p>