2018 Rankings: Update And Breakdown, Who Moved Where?
With our most recently updated 2018 rankings there is plenty to dive into in terms of movement and notable prospects from top to bottom. In an incredibly strong class of players across the state, the 2018 class remains our most in depth list in terms of rankings for the state, a tribute to the plethora of talented hoopers across the Gem state.
Below is a break down and a look at who moved where in terms of this latest update. As always, PHID will continue to track and follow the state’s top talent and stay up to date on players who deserve and earn a boost up the rankings as they continue to take shape. Stay tuned!
Another commit for College of Idaho
Just recently, one of the top guards in the entire state of Idaho committed to the Yotes, a team that is set on recruiting the local Idaho talent. With Derek Wadsworth, the Yotes are getting a gem. A proven winner for Preston (4a state champion three times in a row), and playing alongside the state’s arguably top player in Brayden Parker, Wadsworth has had plenty of time to develop into a next level player as a member of the Indians.
So excited to welcome 3-time Idaho 4A State Champion and Preston HS standout point guard, Derek Wadsworth, to the @YotesHoops family! #GoYotes pic.twitter.com/RkJDHALxyX
— Scott Garson (@Scottgarson) April 7, 2018
The signing of Wadsworth is an important reminder as to the focus of recruiting in which College of Idaho places on staying within the state’s boundaries. The Yotes also added Mountain View’s Jalen Galloway, who jockeyed with the top position in the 2018 class all season long and was one of the top producers at any level in the state.
Risers
With the state tournament in the rear view mirror of these latest rankings update, there are plenty of names who have bolted up and proven their ranking after successful late season surges. Jake Pfennigs of Post Falls certainly state his claim as a top 5 player in regards to the 2018 class, as he earned the Gatorade Idaho Player of the Year award following a tremendous state tournament showing.
Congratulations to Jake Pfennigs pictured here with Coach McLean and his Gatorade Player of the Year trophy! The first boys basketball player at PFHS to receive the award! pic.twitter.com/LE0NTEIfq6
— Post Falls HS (@PFTrojans) April 3, 2018
Hillcrest’s Derek Marlowe was superb all the way through the state tournament and posted 27 points in the title game loss to Rocky Mountain. A bonafide leader of his team, Marlowe is a stud when it comes to the top selection of 2018 prospects.
Burley’s Ryan Bagley moved up in the rankings and earned Great Basin Player of the Year honors in the process. PHID saw him compete in the all-star festivities in addition to the state tournament and we were never left without words to describe his game. A flat out star for Burley.
Rocky Mountain’s Tyler O’Donnell was instrumental in his team’s back-to-back title quest scoring 16 points and also earning first team All 5A SIC honors. Teammate Hunter Ranstorm was another who played a key role and also moved up in our rankings as a result from a stellar state tournament showing. Ranstorm was selected as to the First Team All 5A SIC team.
Ambrose’s Ethan Christianson was unconscious during the state tournament, in fact, he posted a record 120 points over three games and afterwards was selected as the 1A DI Player of the Year.
The standards remain
Bishop Kelly’s Max Rice did nothing to damage his ranking all year long as he remained a top 5 player his entire senior season. With so much talent and skill, the future Boise State Bronco will be exciting to follow after his excellent and high scoring senior campaign.
Highland’s Daxton Carr was another who never budged from his top of the class in terms of 2018 prospects, a truly fantastic prep career for Carr, he should make waves at his next stop for Cal Poly.
Boise’s Paul Pennington and Lapwai’s Emmit Taylor III both remained top of their class as well and were incredibly consistent for their teams all senior season long. Both players deserve every accolade they received over their careers and are respective MVPs for their squads.
Bear Lake’s Avery Carlsen was recently featured in out Spring Spotlight series as one of the most gifted guards in the state made plans for a busy Spring season which just included committing to a school. Carlsen was as solid as they come in his senior season and was locked into the top of the 2018 rankings chart this past season and ended there as well.
The #SwampBoys would like to welcome the 2A Idaho state player of the year in back to back years and a back to back state champion @averycarlsen to our #SwampBoys family! Avery brings a winning mentality to our #SwampBoys culture and we are lucky to have him! Welcome home Avery! pic.twitter.com/SxNeMEhsQ6
— GreenRiver MensBBall (@GatorsMensBball) April 9, 2018
Vallivue’s Steele Hadlock remains one of the top shooters in the entire state and we loved what we saw from him over the latter stretch of the season helping the Falcons reach the state tournament for the second consecutive time. One to watch out for in terms of teams searching to add a guard to their squad at the next level.