5A: Summit Storm – 2025-26 Season Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As the high school season approaches, rosters are being released and I'm going to be previewing each team from the 6A and 5A levels. I'll go over each team's key players going into this coming season, list the returners/newcomers, and key departures. Here is the preview of the Summit Storm (5A) of the Intermountain Conference.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Head Coach: Joe Wells (2nd Season at SHS)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last Season's Record: 20-9 </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Players</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2677046"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6925494a4c366"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">A transfer from Bear Creek in the Seattle area, Branch projects to be an instant impact performer at Summit. The 6-foot-3 guard is an extremely efficient offensive player, one who knows how to get to his spots and get open either from moving without the ball for catch-and-shoot opportunities or using the dribble to create space for himself. A high-academic, D-III recruit, Branch shows that same IQ and knowledge of the game on the court as well. (JT)<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2575668"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6925494a4c3c0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">He had a breakout junior year for the Storm, averaging 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds per game on an extremely balanced squad, showing the ability to score at multiple levels and be a matchup problem for defenses with his combination of size and skills on the wing. (JT)<br><br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["2124992"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6925494a4c409"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">An explosive athlete who thrives in an up-tempo style. Bledsoe a 6-foot-7 forward ran the floor with energy, rebounds aggressively, and wasn't afraid of physical play. His effort and athleticism make him a strong fit for trapping defenses and transition-heavy systems. (AG)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Returners</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1582972' first='Abraham' last='Taylor'] (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Matt Tompkins (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2538739' first='Owen' last='Hill'] (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Newcomers</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='2677046' first='Caleb' last='Branch'] (Class of 2026, Transfer from Bear Creek, WA)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Connor Conneely (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Noah Willard (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Dom Abedrabbo (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Kellen Elliott (Class of 2026)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Colin McMullen (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='3046603' first='Kevin' last='Junkin'] (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Carver Bentley (Class of 2027)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Key Departures</strong>:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Will Manfredi (Graduated)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Rowan Blossey (Graduated)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Written by Andrew Gill, Additional Contributions by Jed Tai</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->