Meet SBLive’s 2021-22 Idaho high school boys basketball all-state teams

Lapwai senior Titus Yearout, an Idaho signee, is the all-classification state player of the year while Owyhee's Andy Harrington is the state coach of the year

With the 2021-2022 Idaho high school boys basketball season wrapped up, it’s time to hand out some awards.

SBLive Idaho has compiled all-state teams for boys basketball, featuring player of the year, coach of the year, first team, second team and third team selections. The teams span all levels of IDHSAA competition:

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Titus Yearout, Lapwai, senior

Lapwai standout and Idaho signee Titus Yearout finished his career with 2,039 points and a second state championship / Photo by Loren Orr

Yearout proved it doesn’t matter who or where you play to be considered the best player. To go one step further, he’s one of the best in Idaho history. Don’t believe us. Well take a look at the 6-foot-2 guard's resume. 

* Finished with 2,039 career points.

* Was the 2022 Gatorade state player of the year with 15.5 points, 7.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.

* A three-time Whitepine League player of the year.

And he closed his prolific high school career with back-to-back state titles, including leading the Wildcats to their 12th title - second all-time - and the first undefeated season (27-0) in 33 years.

He will play for the University of Idaho next season.

"Titus Yearout was a huge part of our success in our program," Lapwai coach Zachary Eastman said. "He played at a high level on both sides of the basketball. Guarding the best player on the team and being defended on offense by the opponent's best defender. He plays fearlessly and isn't scared of big moments."

COACH OF THE YEAR

Andy Harrington, Owyhee

A year after leading Middleton to a state title, coach Andy Harrington did the same thing with first-year Owyhee / Photo by Loren Orr

Sometimes the most talented teams are the hardest to coach. Expectations and pressure become opponents themselves. But Harrington managed through it all. 

He took the Storm - a team mostly filled with underclassmen who had never played together before this season - and guided them to a 24-3 campaign, including a 20-game winning streak, plus district and state championships. 

They became the first known first-year boys program ever to win a state crown. It was Harrington’s second consecutive state title after leading Middleton to its first since 1965 last season.

"He put it all together. Some coaches wouldn’t do that. But he is all about basketball - and his girlfriend," said senior guard Jack Payne with a laugh. "By the end of the season we all had the confidence because of how he coaches us throughout the year."

ALL-STATE FIRST TEAM

Guard: Liam Campbell, Owyhee, soph.

A transplant from California, sophomore Owyhee's Liam Campbell (17.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg) might be the next big thing out of Idaho / Photo by Loren Orr

There hasn't been a player of Campbell’s caliber enter the Gem State in a while. He was already a starter on California power Harvard-Westlake with multiple NCAA Division I offers as a ninth grader. 

But by the time the 6-foot-5 transfer completed his first season in Idaho, he was a top-35 national recruit, had NCAA Tourney teams USC and Boise State after him, and was a state champion. Campbell averaged 17.4 points per game on 50% shooting to go along with 6.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.8 steals.

"He’s a very big-time competitor. He doesn’t like to lose in anything, really," Harrington said. "A lot of our guys are that way, but Liam wants to win every drill and shows up every practice trying to get better. It just made us better as a team. 

"I’m not kidding you, he’s putting four to five hours a day in basketball."

Center: Isaac Davis, Hillcrest, soph.

There's a case to be made that Hillcrest's Isaac Davis (14.3 ppg, 9.6 rpg) was the most dominant post player in the state in 2021-22 / Photo by Loren orr

There’s a strong case to be made that Davis was the most dominant player in Idaho this season. The 6-7, 230-pound post put up 18.3 points and 12.3 rebounds per game at state alone to anchor the Knights to their first-ever state championship. 

Davis nearly averaged a double-double for the season with 14.3 points and 9.6 rebounds to go along with 2.3 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. Davis also shot almost 68% from the field, which included from the perimeter as well.

"His post moves and soft touch around the basket are unbelievable," Hillcrest coach Dave Austin said. "Isaac was a defensive presence for us all year. He controlled the paint and defended the basket better than anyone. The potential for this young man is limitless."

Forward: Donovan Jones, Eagle, sr.

A year after missing the state championships (COVID-19), Eagle's Donovan Jones returned to become the 5A SIC player of the year / Photo by Loren Orr

Coach Cody Pickett, also a former NFL quarterback, saw a little bit of himself in Jones. Like the 6-4 forward, Pickett’s future lie in football. But that didn’t stop him from having one last hurrah. 

Jones, who will play on the gridiron at Stanford in the fall, averaged 13.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.3 steals per game this season. It led to him being the 5A Southern Idaho Conference player of the year a year after having to miss part of the season, including the state tournament, with COVID-19.

"Donovan was like how I was in that he knew he was gonna go play football. I’ve been teasing him cause I’m a UW (Washington) guy," said Pickett with a grin. "But he was our leader in every way. He’s a guy that can defend one through five. Just an absolute pleasure to coach. He’s going to be a guy that we deeply, deeply miss."

Forward: Tyler Medaris, Middleton, sr.

Middleton's Tyler Medaris, the 2-time 4A SIC player of the year, registered a triple double against Emmett this season / Photo by Loren Orr

It’s not hyperbolic to call Medaris the greatest Middleton boys basketball player ever.

He was a four-year starter with a 71-11 career record and a career stat-line of 1,000 points, 700 rebounds, 200 assists and 100 blocks. Medaris was also a two-time 4A SIC player of the year, a 4A state player of the year and a state champion - just the second in school history with the only previous one coming 57 years ago.

The 6-7 forward saved his best for last this season. He posted a triple-double against Emmett. And Medaris was a walking double-double with 13.5 points, 11.1 rebound, 4.1 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. He will serve a two-year LDS mission in Peru before pursuing college basketball.

"I know there’s a lot of great players that came through, but he has a resume that stacks up against anybody," Middleton coach Nate Hartman said. "Let’s try and start with what he didn't do for us? It would probably be an easier list to go through.

"I always told our younger kids you need to hang around Tyler and watch how he leads and watch how he interacts with his teammates. That’s where his greatness truly came from."

Guard: Jack Payne, Owyhee, sr.

Why is Owyhee's only impact senior Jack Payne on this list? Defense. He averaged 2.8 steals and 2.2 blocks per game as league defensive MVP / Photo by Loren Orr

Payne’s impact this year goes well beyond the numbers. The 6-6 guard went from Boise High to being one of two seniors - the only one who played significant minutes - on the team. 

With opposing defenses routinely keying in on him, including in this year’s state final, he trusted and deferred to his teammates. But Payne was still the 5A SIC defensive player of the year and averaged 10.1 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.2 blocks and 2.8 steals while playing in just 16 of 27 fourth quarters. 

He is committed to Colorado State.

"If we don’t have Jack, we don’t win those games. We were just so young," Harrington said. "Jack’s just the type of guy that can literally affect the game without having to score the basketball. Whether it’s with his passing, which he’s clearly the best passer in the state, or his ability to block shots. Jack is a, 'I’m going to get everyone involved, I’m just good at everything type of player.'"

ALL-STATE SECOND TEAM

Kolton Mitchell scored 17.7 points per game for Lake City, and was the 5A Inland Empire player of the year - again / Photo by Loren Orr

Guard: Julian Bowie, Pocatello, soph.

Before Bowie’s arrival, the Thunder had just three winning seasons and no postseason appearances in 11 years. They’ve now posted back-to-back winning seasons and played in their first state title game in 13 years. 

A lot of that had to do with the 6-3 guard. He notched 19.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.3 steals per game on his way to being the 4A Southeast Idaho Conference Player of the Year. 

Boise State, Idaho State and Utah State have all already taken notice with offers.

"Julian has a really high basketball IQ for just being a sophomore," Pocatello coach Joe Green said. "I have never seen him get flustered or rushed on the offensive end, which is rare for such a young player. At times, I forget he is just a sophomore. I just trust him to make the right play when he has the ball in his hands."

Guard: Isiah Harwell, Century, fr.

The 6-5 guard racked up 18.3 points on 55.9% shooting from the field, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and even 1.4 blocks per game. He already has offers from Cal-Poly, Idaho State and Texas Tech, which was ranked as high as No. 9 and made the Sweet 16.

Oh and Harwell just turned 15. 

Harvell, the younger brother of Malek, who was once the No. 1 prospect in Idaho and played for Boise State and Cal-Poly, certainly lived up to all of the hype and more with the best freshman year here in some time.

"I just talked to Kelvin Sampson (Houston)," Century coach Ryan Frost said. "I’ve been around kids who are special. But it’s mostly juniors and seniors getting this kind of attention. So it’s pretty remarkable to have that. I knew he was going to be good. But to be calm under big moments like that is rare."

Guard: Cooper Kesler, Hillcrest, sr.

If Davis was the Thunder, then Kesler was the lightning.

The 6-3 point guard was their leading scorer at 18.1 points per game, including 39% from 3-point range. He also had 4.6 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.4 steals per game.

But Kesler was also the calming presence in the huddle as the unquestionable leader for a group that didn’t lose to an Idaho team and ended the year on a 24-game winning streak.

He will go on an LDS mission before pursuing college basketball.

Guard: Kolton Mitchell, Lake City, jr.

Mitchell was the driving force behind the wire-to-wire No. 1 5A team in the state and one that many at several points this past season considered to be the best overall. 

He dropped 17.7 points per game, including 61.4% from inside the perimeter. He was pretty good outside of it too, shooting 37% from beyond the arch. Mitchell could also dish it with 4.2 assists per game. He was the 5A Inland Empire player of the year for the second consecutive season. 

Mitchell has an offer from Idaho State.

"Kolton pretty much makes us go in all aspects of our team," Lake City coach Jim Winger said. "I’ve been doing it for 30 something years and he’s the best point guard that I’ve seen. He can flat out play. Just an unbelievable competitor and a very good leader."

Forward: Kase Wynott, Lapwai, soph.

For those wondering how the Wildcats will be post Yearout, the answer is just fine. His 6-6 running mate, who shot up three inches from last season, was the state’s leading scorer at 25.5 points per game. 

Wynott also added 7.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.2 steals per game on a team that beat all but two teams, including 5A’s Lewiston by double digits. He’ll likely follow in Yearout’s footsteps by becoming just the second player in program history to sign right out of high school with an NCAA Division I program. 

Washington State Univesity is already showing him interest.

"Kase Wynott is quickly becoming a high level college recruit. D1 colleges are already calling about him," Eastman said. "During the season, Kase showed why he is considered one of the best players in Idaho. Kase next year returning for his junior year will be the next leader in our program and has a chance to get his third championship in three years."

ALL-STATE THIRD TEAM

McCall-Donnelly guard DJ Green led the program to back-to-back 3A finals appearances, and had a big senior season (18.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game) / Photo by Loren Orr

Center: Blake Buchanan, Lake City, jr.

Winger was just watching video of Buchanan’s ninth grade year at Moscow the other day. The physical and developmental transition as he put it was, "mind blowing." The 6-11 center, who exploded onto the scene last season, continued to show why he’s arguably the most athletic player in the state. 

He tallied 13.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.1 blocks per game. You read that last part right. Perhaps even most impressive, was that he added the 3-ball this season, shooting 36.4%. 

Buchanan holds five NCAA Division I offers, including one from Pepperdine.

"We’ve never had anybody that size. Any of the big guys we’ve had through here have not been able to move like he does," Winger said. "Every year he takes a major leap forward and that’s because he’s worked at it. And I would assume that’s going to happen again next year."

Guard: Logan Crane, Madison, sr.

A big question facing the Bobcats this season was who was going to fill the big shoes of Taden King, who just averaged 12.0 points per game at perennial power North Idaho College. The answer emphatically was this 6-1 guard. 

He led them in every major statistical category, including points (14.1), rebounds (5.0), assists (3.8) and steals (2.5), and to a state consolation title win over Lake City for their fourth trophy in five years. 

Crane was also named to the all High Country Conference first team.

"Kid is a flat out stud," Madison coach Shane Humphreys said. "Best defender on the team as well. Didn’t take a night off."

Guard: DJ Green, McCall-Donnelly, sr.

It’s pretty astonishing that Green doesn’t have a single offer, considering what he’s done over the last two seasons. The 6-1 guard helped completely turn the fortunes of the program around. 

He led the Vandals to the state tournament in back-to-back seasons, and just their third appearance overall in 34 years. And they went to the 3A finals in consecutive seasons for their only two appearances in school history.

And McCall-Donnelly had the best year in school history this season at 20-3 with Green averaging 18.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. 

Green was also the 3A Snake River Valley Conference player of the year for the second consecutive season.

"He’s been a foundational piece," McCall coach Jason Tinney said. "We were competitive and knocking on the doorstep for a long time, and DJ, with his ability, put us over the top. I’ll be honest, I just thought we would get to state. But for him to have those types of performances to get us to that recognition and that level of play, was pretty incredible."

Forward: Weston Johnson, Centennial, sr.

Johnson was routinely referred to as Joe Ingles in practice this season. The homage to the current Portland Trailblazers and former Utah Jazz star was fitting. The 6-4 wing, too, is a do-it-all player. 

He chalked up 12.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists (led SIC), 2.0 steals and 1.0 blocks per game to ultimately lead the Patriots on a Cinderella run that captured the hearts of many. 

Johnson helped Centennial go from a lowly eighth seed to knocking off favorite Lake City to the final where it almost did the same to Owyhee. Johnson was an all-5A SIC first-team selection.

"He’s a do-it-all kid," Centennial coach Josh Aipperspach said. "It’s position-less basketball for him. He played one through five. He probably could have scored more than he did, but he’s such a willing passer. He’s a good defender. He stays long, he doesn’t jump, he doesn’t take fakes. He can do everything and he does everything well."

Guard: Michael Lloyd, Jerome, sr.

Three years ago, Lloyd was a little-known starter on a team that went 4-17. Today, the 6-5 guard returned the Tigers to prominence. 

He averaged 16.3 points, including 65 3-pointers, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists to lead them to their best season since 2009. Jerome finished 23-4 and advanced to the state semifinals for the first time in 13 years. Lloyd, meanwhile, earned back-to-back Great Basin Conference player of the year honors. 

He has an offer from Treasure Valley Community College.

"For him to lead us to 45 wins out of 52 games, that’s pretty dang impressive," Jerome coach Joe Messick said. "He did a really good job of just growing over the years. I really look at it and go, ‘That is all because of his hard work and dedication.’ He really became committed to the weight room and just really making sure to get extra shots up."