Sweetwater Athletics

Idaho Statesman

March 28, 2024

1A Division I All-Idaho girls basketball team | 2023-2024 BY MICHAEL LYCKLAMA

 Note: The All-Idaho teams are chosen by each classification’s coaches. The Idaho Statesman hosts the voting process and publishes the results.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: SYDNEE SMITH, GRACE 

The pick: The 5-10 senior forward served as the state champ’s rock, leading the Grizzlies in scoring (12.3 ppg) and rebounds (5.5). Whenever Grace needed a bucket, it knew right where to turn. She took her game to another level at state, racking up 20 points and 14 rebounds in the state finals.

Coach’s comment: “She can face up and hit the mid-range shot, and can also play very well with her back to the basket. Her double-double in the championship game at state showed the type of player she was for us this season,” Grace coach Kyle Christensen said.

What others are saying: “Sydnee would not be denied. She passed, scored, rebounded and played great defense. Extremely tough to match up with,” Butte County coach Richard Hansen said.

What’s next: Smith is weighing options to play at several junior colleges. 

SAMARA POWAUKEE, LAPWAI The Whitepine League Player of the Year served as the Wildcats’ leader on both offense and defense. The 5-6 senior point guard finished the year averaging 10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.5 steals to lead Lapwai to a state runner-up finish.

LEXI SCHUMACHER, PRAIRIE A floor general and the straw that stirred the Pirates’ drink, the 5-6 junior point guard created on both ends of the floor. She posted 18.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 3.8 steals per game as Prairie brought home the third-place trophy from state.

JACIE CHRISTENSEN, GRACE If any opponent tried to press the Grizzlies, the 5-4 senior point guard quickly convinced them to change tactics. She distributed the ball for the state champs (3.5 assists). But she also was a potent scorer of her own, scoring 8.1 points per game while shooting 48% from the field.

MELODIE STRAATMAN, GRACE Her high basketball IQ and length made the 5-11 senior wing a terror at the top of the Grizzlies’ zone defense, clogging passing lanes and forcing turnovers in bunches. She averaged 3.6 steals and 1.5 blocks per game, adding 10.1 points a night, too.

COACH OF THE YEAR: KYLE CHRISTENSEN, GRACE He led Grace to the second state title in program history, closing the season on a 16-game winning streak.

SECOND TEAM

Player School Height Year Position Stats

Qubilah Mitchell Lapwai 5-10 Senior Wing 6.0 ppg, 6.0 reb, 1.0 blk

Sage Elven Prairie 5-10 Soph. Forward 12.0 ppg, 9.7 reb, 3.6 stl

Ady Stanger Murtaugh 5-6 Senior Point guard 11.7 ppg, 8.3 ast, 6.2 stl

Jayden Leighton Lapwai 6-0 Senior Center 6.0 ppg, 6.0 reb, 2.1 blk

Britany Phillips Wallace 5-9 Senior Guard 22.9 ppg, 10.5 reb, 5.1 stl

Read more at: https://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/high-school/girls-prep-basketball/article287120800.html#storylink=cpy