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Author: Cody Smithies

  • Cole Valley Christian Claims First State Title in 14 Years with Historic Blowout

    Cole Valley Christian Claims First State Title in 14 Years with Historic Blowout

    NAMPA — For 14 years, Cole Valley Christian waited. On Saturday afternoon at Ford Idaho Center, the Chargers made sure the wait was worth every single second.

    Cole Valley Christian dismantled the back-to-back defending champion Bonners Ferry Badgers 71-35, delivering the largest margin of victory in 4A championship game history and punching their name permanently into the Idaho high school basketball record books.

    It wasn’t just a win. It was a statement.

    The Shots Started Falling

    After struggling from behind the arc in the tournament’s first two rounds, the Chargers found their range in the most important game of the season. Cole Valley buried 5-of-8 three-pointers to open the championship game and finished 10-of-23 from deep — a performance that left Bonners Ferry with no answers.

    Junior forward Cooper Kollmann was the catalyst. The sharpshooting Charger drained 5-of-6 three-pointers on his way to a game-high 21 points and 4 rebounds, turning in one of the most efficient performances in championship game history.

    “We knew it was coming,” Cole Valley Christian head coach Leif Karlberg told the Idaho Statesman. “It was only a matter of time for Cooper to pop off like he did tonight, and Madden as well.”

    Coming off the bench, junior guard Madden Compton answered every Kollmann three with one of his own. Compton connected on 4-of-9 from deep and finished with 18 points, giving Cole Valley a one-two punch that Bonners Ferry simply could not contain.

    Bonners Ferry head coach Greg Kissee cycled through man defense, presses, and zones searching for a solution, according to the Idaho Statesman. None of it worked.

    Foul Trouble? Didn’t Matter.

    Cole Valley’s leading scorer, 6-foot-7 junior forward Soren Fraas, spent much of the night on the bench battling foul trouble, logging just 18 minutes before finishing with 9 points. For most teams, losing your best player to foul trouble in a championship game spells disaster.

    Not for these Chargers.

    “Anybody can step up,” Fraas said, per the Idaho Statesman. “Cooper, Madden did a great job doing what they always do. I think our whole team is capable of playing at state.”

    Cole Valley shot 60.9% from the field as a team, out rebounded the Badgers 41-26, and built their lead to as many as 42 points, the largest in any 4A championship game ever played, and tied for second largest in any classification in Idaho state history behind Lapwai’s 42-point win in 2022.

    Built for This Moment

    The championship didn’t happen by accident. After going 0-2 at state a year ago, Coach Karlberg made a deliberate decision to harden his team before the 2025-26 season even began.

    The Chargers traveled to Alaska for a preseason tournament and opened their schedule with losses to Capital, a 6A state qualifier, and Bishop Kelly, the newly crowned 5A state champion. Cole Valley sat at 4-4 entering the new year.

    “We went 0-2 at state last year, and we felt like we left some meat on the bone,” Karlberg told the Idaho Statesman. “We wanted to make sure that we were battle tested early to kind of get tougher and learn more about ourselves. We definitely came back from that trip a different team — a tougher team, for sure — and more connected.”

    Those early lessons forged a different kind of Cole Valley team. The Chargers closed the season on an 18-game winning streak, going wire to wire through the 4A tournament without a hiccup.

    Bonners Ferry’s Run Comes to an End

    For Bonners Ferry, the loss ends one of the most remarkable runs in recent Idaho high school basketball history. The Badgers returned to the championship game for the fourth consecutive season as the tournament’s No. 5 seed, a Cinderella story that captivated the state all week long.

    But Saturday belonged to the Chargers. The Badgers went 0-for-14 from three-point range and trailed from start to finish. Junior forward Peyton Hinthorn led Bonners Ferry with 14 points, while Sulay Abubakari contributed 11 points and 6 rebounds in a losing effort.

    A New Chapter Begins

    Cole Valley Christian, a Meridian private school in just its second year competing in the 4A classification, closed the season 22-4 with a championship trophy and a place in the record books.

    For a program that last won a state title in 2012, Saturday’s performance wasn’t just about ending a drought. It was about proving that when the lights shine brightest, the Chargers are ready.

    The wait is over.

    Statistics sourced from the official 4A Boys State Basketball Championship game box score. Quotes sourced from the Idaho Statesman.

    Coverage by FLOWW Network | Follow us for highlights, recaps, and more Idaho high school sports content.

  • Cole Valley vs Homedale: How to Watch the SRV Championship

    Cole Valley vs Homedale: How to Watch the SRV Championship

    FLOWW NETWORK BROADCAST GUIDE

    2026 SRV Boys Basketball Championship

    #1 Cole Valley Christian Chargers vs. #2 Homedale Trojans

    GAME INFO

    Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026 
    Tip-Off: 7:00 PM MT 
    Location: Cole Valley Christian High School — Meridian, Idaho
    Broadcast: FLOWW Network TV

    HOW TO WATCH

    Can’t make it to Meridian? We’ve got you covered. This game will be streamed LIVE on FLOWW Network TV, available two ways:

    📱 Stream Online — flowwnetwork.com/tv
    📺 On Your TV — Channel 22.12 on Front Row Sports Network
    (Live & Local Television Broadcast brought to you by I-84 Broadcasting)

    THE MATCHUP

    This is the one we’ve been waiting for all season.

    The #1 seed Cole Valley Christian Chargers ran through Snake River Valley Conference play with a perfect 10-0 record, earning home court advantage for Thursday night’s championship. On the other side, the #2 Homedale Trojans went 8-2 in conference and have battled through the district tournament bracket to reach this moment.

    These two teams met during the regular season on January 30th, and it was all Chargers — a dominant 67-35 victory that sent a message to the rest of the SRV. But this is the championship game, and the Trojans know a district title and a statement heading into the state tournament is on the line.

    PLAYERS TO WATCH

    Cole Valley Christian Chargers

    Cooper Kollman — Poured in 17 points the last time these two teams met. One of the Chargers’ most dangerous scorers and a player who thrives under the bright lights.

    Soreen Fraas — Also dropped 17 in that January matchup. When Kollman and Fraas are both rolling, Cole Valley is nearly impossible to stop.

    Homedale Trojans

    Cain Roberts — A consistent presence for the Trojans all season. Led Homedale with 6 points in the first meeting, but expect him to come out with a much bigger effort in the championship.

    Kreece Powell & Cyrus Wetherell — Both contributed in the regular season matchup and will need to step up in a major way if Homedale is going to pull off the upset.

    WHAT’S AT STAKE

    This game is for the 2026 Snake River Valley Conference Boys Basketball District Championship. Both teams have already qualified for the postseason, but the winner earns the conference crown, bragging rights, and momentum heading into the IDHSAA State Boys Basketball Tournament beginning in March.

    For Cole Valley, it’s a chance to cap off a perfect conference season with hardware. For Homedale, it’s a chance to prove that the regular season blowout was a fluke and that they belong on the biggest stage.

    BROADCAST DETAILS

    FLOWW Network will have full live coverage from tip-off to the final buzzer. Tune in at 7:00 PM on Thursday, February 26th at flowwnetwork.com/tv or Channel 22.12.

    This broadcast is sponsored by Athlete Narrative — helping high school athletes take control of their recruiting journey and connect with college coaches. Visit athletenarrative.com or DM “RECRUIT” for more information.

    FLOWW Network — The Leader in Covering the Snake River Valley Conference

  • Kimberly, Timberlake Claim Hardware on Final Day at State

    Kimberly, Timberlake Claim Hardware on Final Day at State

    NAMPA, ID – Saturday morning at Skyview High School delivered two competitive battles as Kimberly and Timberlake each claimed hardware at the 4A State Girls Basketball Tournament.

    Consolation Championship: Kimberly 62, Weiser 56

    If you blinked, you missed a lead change.

    The Consolation Championship between Kimberly and Weiser was an instant classic — 15 lead changes, 7 ties, and neither team leading by more than six points throughout the contest. In the end, it was Kimberly’s Taya Plew who made the difference.

    Plew was simply sensational, finishing with 29 points and 11 rebounds for her second double-double of the tournament. The junior guard shot 11-of-22 from the field, including a pair of three-pointers, and added 5-of-6 from the free throw line. When the Bulldogs needed a bucket, Plew delivered.

    “She’s a special player,” was the sentiment echoing through the gym as Plew carried Kimberly on her back.

    The Wolverines struck first, taking a 15-14 lead after the opening quarter. Alyvia Goff caught fire early, knocking down shots from beyond the arc to keep Weiser in front. But Kimberly responded with a 19-12 second quarter advantage to take a 33-27 lead into halftime.

    The third quarter belonged to Weiser. The Wolverines outscored Kimberly 20-16 behind balanced scoring and hustle plays, cutting the deficit to just one point heading into the fourth. The stage was set for a dramatic finish.

    But the Bulldogs locked in defensively when it mattered most. Kimberly held Weiser to just 9 fourth-quarter points while Brooklyn VerWey provided crucial support with 14 points and 8 rebounds. Adyson Osborne added 9 points and 6 boards off the bench as the Bulldogs pulled away.

    Goff led Weiser with 17 points, hitting 5-of-8 from three-point range. Porter Hart battled for 13 points, while Ellie Shirts added 10 points, 5 rebounds, and played tough defense throughout. Evie Dolton grabbed a team-high 9 rebounds in her final game as a Wolverine.

    Despite the loss, Weiser left the tournament with the IHSAA Sportsmanship Award — recognition of the program’s character and class throughout the event.

    Final: Kimberly 62, Weiser 56

    Kimberly Stats:

    • Taya Plew: 29 PTS (11-22 FG, 2-8 3PT, 5-6 FT), 11 REB, 3 AST, 2 BLK

    • Brooklyn VerWey: 14 PTS (6-10 FG), 8 REB

    • Adyson Osborne: 9 PTS, 6 REB

    • Team: 22-50 FG (44%), 2-15 3PT (13.3%), 16-24 FT (66.7%)

    Weiser Stats:

    • Alyvia Goff: 17 PTS (6-11 FG, 5-8 3PT), 3 REB

    • Porter Hart: 13 PTS (4-13 FG, 5-8 FT), 4 REB

    • Ellie Shirts: 10 PTS (3-13 FG, 2-5 3PT), 5 REB

    • Evie Dolton: 5 PTS, 9 REB

    • Team: 19-53 FG (35.8%), 10-20 3PT (50%), 8-18 FT (44.4%)

    Third Place Game: Timberlake 56, Marsh Valley 50

    The battle for bronze was a wire-to-wire effort from Timberlake.

    The White Tigers came out with purpose, taking a 16-13 first quarter lead and maintaining control throughout. Unlike the back-and-forth Consolation Championship, this one featured just a single lead change as Timberlake’s balanced attack and defensive intensity proved to be the difference.

    Three White Tigers reached double figures, led by Macy Murphey’s 16 points. Murphey struggled from three-point range (0-11) but attacked the basket relentlessly, going 8-of-12 from the free throw line and finishing with 6 rebounds.

    Shae Jones provided a huge lift with 13 points on efficient 5-of-7 shooting, including 3-of-3 from beyond the arc. Sophie Holecek matched with 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the double-double, controlling the paint on both ends.

    Marsh Valley’s Zayli Merzlock refused to go quietly. The standout post player poured in a game-high 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting, adding 7 rebounds. Merzlock was virtually unstoppable inside, going 8-of-12 on two-point attempts while also knocking down a three and going 5-of-5 from the charity stripe.

    But Merzlock couldn’t do it alone. Tayzlee Belnap added 9 points but struggled from deep (3-13 from three), and the Eagles shot just 14.3% from beyond the arc as a team (3-21). Timberlake’s length and activity disrupted Marsh Valley’s offense throughout.

    The White Tigers outrebounded the Eagles 39-34 and committed just 16 turnovers compared to Marsh Valley’s 19, taking care of the ball when it mattered most.

    Final: Timberlake 56, Marsh Valley 50

    Timberlake Stats:

    • Macy Murphey: 16 PTS (4-19 FG, 0-11 3PT, 8-12 FT), 6 REB

    • Shae Jones: 13 PTS (5-7 FG, 3-3 3PT), 7 REB

    • Sophie Holecek: 13 PTS (5-11 FG, 2-6 3PT), 10 REB

    • Addie Archer: 4 PTS, 6 REB

    • Team: 19-50 FG (38%), 5-21 3PT (23.8%), 13-23 FT (56.5%)

    Marsh Valley Stats:

    • Zayli Merzlock: 24 PTS (9-15 FG, 1-3 3PT, 5-5 FT), 7 REB

    • Tayzlee Belnap: 9 PTS (3-16 FG, 3-13 3PT), 2 REB

    • Olivia Campbell: 4 PTS, 5 REB

    • Team: 18-49 FG (36.7%), 3-21 3PT (14.3%), 11-22 FT (50%)

    Final Standings Update

    • 6th Place: Weiser Wolverines
    • 5th Place: Kimberly Bulldogs (Consolation Champions)
    • 4th Place: Marsh Valley Eagles
    • 3rd Place: Timberlake Tigers (3rd Place Game Winner)
    • CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: #1 Sugar-Salem Diggers vs #2 Bear Lake Bears

    The stage is now set for the 4A State Championship at Ford Idaho Center. Top-seeded Sugar-Salem will face second-seeded Bear Lake in a rematch of last year’s title game. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:50 PM.