Top Performers From the Idaho 3A Tournament

Another fun year of basketball is in the books for 3A in Idaho. Congratulations goes out to Sugar-Salem who took the state title, Kimberly who came in 2nd, and Fruitland who came in 3rd. With that, here are the top performers from the state tournament:   [player_tooltip player_id="917671" first="Hadley" last="Miller"]- 5’11 G, Sugar-Salem 2020 Miller, Sugar-Salem’s top player, struggled to score during the course of the tournament, then exploded in the championship game scoring 20 points, getting 7 dimes, and going 4-6 from beyond the arch. The do everything senior guard led an underdog Sugar-Salem team to a monster victory to end his career. Miller has speed, has strength, has athleticism, and has the handles that you look for in a point guard.   Crew Clark- 6’0 G, Sugar-Salem 2021 If there was ever a time to have the game of your life, during the title game at the state tournament is the time to do it. Clark had a 1st half that most players only dream of having. In that half, he put up 19 points including making five 3’s. He is a quick guard with a good stroke from beyond the arch. He is unafraid to get into the trenches and go after loose boards. He can play primary guard and distribute. Sugar-Salem’s offense is predicated on quick passes and trust in their outside shooters. Within that recipe, Clark thrives. Going into next season, Clark will be able to show that he can shoulder the offensive scoring burden for the team.   [player_tooltip player_id="528138" first="Dawson" last="Cummins"]- 6’2 G, Kimberly 2020 Cummins is the best basketball prospect in 3A. It is impressive to watch what he can do on a basketball court. Cummins has committed to play in college at an Idaho powerhouse college for basketball. However, Cummins is a better baseball player than a basketball player and is playing baseball at the College of Southern Idaho. If I were the coach at CSI, I would want to see Cummins be a two-sport athlete. Cummins can pull up from well behind NBA range and drill it with ease. Athletically, he is able to elevate and dunk over size. He is an absolute offensive force who has the ability to lock down defensively against his opponent. While he is committed to college for baseball, Cummins is a compelling basketball prospect.   [player_tooltip player_id="919670" first="Hyrum" last="Lindsey"]- 6’4 F, Fruitland 2021 Lindsey does most of his offensive damage around the hoop. He is a finesse post player with incredible length who is not afraid to step behind the 3-point line and stretch the defense. It seems like when there is a rebound, the ball finds its way to Lindsey. In his classification, it is difficult to find a player with the length and skill who can match-up defensively against Lindsey. Additionally, Lindsey has a nice 15-foot shot that makes him an interesting prospect for a program looking for a stretch-4. Heading into next year, Lindsey is my favorite to win 3A player of the year in 2021.   [player_tooltip player_id="917732" first="Graden" last="Nearing"]- 6’2 G, Kellogg 2020 Nearing is one of the better 3-point shooters in all of North Idaho and is one of the better scorers at 3A. He has a fluid form and good length and elevation on his shot. He can use that long distance threat to get defenders off balance to attack the hoop. Kellogg has offensive limitations outside of Nearing. If the team needs scoring, it happens through Nearing. He can compete defensively; however, his calling card is his long-range shooting. should an NWAC or NAIA program want a marksman from deep, they could do far worse than trying to get Nearing to their program.   Dapri Weatherall- 5’8 G, Fruitland 2020 Weatherall plays in such a way that reminds me of the style of Brevin Knight. He plays aggressive, lock-down defense against an opposing point. Offensively, he moves the ball as a true point guard with great speed, he has good court vision, and can make impressive no-look passes. Weatherall can be counted on to make open 3s should they present themselves. However, what stands out is how he can pester an opposing guard and initiate his team’s offense.   Austin Jarolimek- 6’3 F, Filer 2020 Jarolimek is a wing player for Filer who makes his mark attacking the basket. He is an aggressive player with good body control who can initiate contact and get to the free throw line frequently. If he is left open, he will take and make the deep ball. Defensively, he has the length and hustle to compete against wing and post players.   Michael Ibarra- 6’0 G, Snake River 2020 Ibarra is a point guard with good height and length. He has good speed and can finish at the rim. Offensively, he wants to attack. Ibarra is looking to get up and down the court to finish in transition. He can defend the position and initiate an offense. All-in-all, he is a solid point guard.   Honorable Mention:   Peyton Bair- 6’3 F, Kimberly 2020   Nolan Bower- 6’7 C, Fruitland 2022   [player_tooltip player_id="917681" first="Brant" last="Etherington"]- 5’11 G, Kimberly 2020   Josh Henggeler- 6’3 F, Fruitland 2020   Teagan Anderson- 6’0 G, Filer 2020   Bridger Wray- 6’0 G, Snake River 2020   Drake Spiers- 6’0 G, Filer 2022   Cody Hansen- 6’1 G, Marsh Valley 2021   Austin Perkins- 6’1 G, Filer 2021   [player_tooltip player_id="923078" first="Jaxon" last="Dines"]- 5’10 G, Homedale 2023   Bracken Howell- 5’11 G, Marsh Valley 2021

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