The approach has withstood the test of time and resulted in three straight state championship game appearances for the Wildcats from 2015 to 2017, including a title victory last year. Now, the squad begins its quest for a repeat title during the Idaho Class 1A Division I tournament, which begins today at Vallivue High in Caldwell.

"We're going to play some good teams that have momentum coming in from different wins," Sobotta said. "State is always a great opportunity, but it brings different challenges each night."

Sobotta may be underselling the momentum his own program brings to the Treasure Valley after tallying a 19-3 record and blasting Whitepine League rival Prairie for the District II crown. Leading the charge for Lapwai is Emmit Taylor III, a senior with a knack for shooting from beyond the arc.

"He's a really solid shooter, but I think this year he's worked on being an all-around player in terms of rebounding and defense," Sobotta said. "He's been a great leader and he's been consistent for us offensively. I'm just looking forward to seeing him at the next level somewhere in a couple of years."

Also on the perimeter are Payton Sobotta and Kendall Leighton, a pair of speedy hybrid players who run the squad's transition offense to perfection.

"Last year Payton played more of a wing, but this year he's done a good job of getting us started at the point and playing tough defense against some of the other big guards," Bob Sobotta said. "He does a little bit of everything."

Fighting for position on the block are Keith Kipp Jr. and JJ Reuben - but the two Wildcats aren't afraid to chuck up a few shots from 3-point range if needed.

"He's not the heaviest guy, but he really gets into people and does a good job in terms of energy," Bob Sobotta said of Kipp Jr. "When we've needed it, he's had some good offensive games. He does a good job of getting up and down the floor and making things tough for whoever he's guarding. He does a lot of stuff that may not show up in our scoresheet."

On the other side of the bracket sits a feisty Prairie squad with an agenda for revenge after falling to Lapwai in last year's title game. The Pirates (20-4) had a shot at the Wildcats in the District II championship game last week, but fell by a score of 58-29 at the Lewis-Clark State Activity Center.

"We look forward to maybe playing those guys again, but we have to take it one game at a time," Prairie coach Kevin Chaffee said. "Like I tell our guys, we just want to win and survive at this stage in the season."

Survival doesn't appear to be a major concern for the Pirates with league standout Hunter Chaffee on the perimeter and Spencer Schumacher doing the heavy lifting down low.

"Spencer is 6-foot-4 and a solid presence, we like him on the block," Kevin Chaffee said. "He's got solid post moves and a good touch being a lefty."