WINTER SPORTS PREVIEW: Sandpoint girls basketball ready for revenge tour

LAST SEASON: 19-5, 4A District 1-2 runner-ups, with key wins over Coeur d'Alene (53-49), Post Falls (56-44), Grangeville (64-58), Madison (49-42), Snake River (66-63), Lewiston (56-44) and Lakeland (3) (53-50, 49-41, 48-39).

COACHES: Will Love (head coach, seventh year), Madi Schoening (assistant coach), Audra Driggs (assistant coach) and Dereck Driggs (assistant coach).

PLAYERS TO WATCH: G — Brecken Mire, so.; Jordyn Tomco, so.; Livia Driggs, so. F — Chloe Laybourne, sr.; Demi Driggs, sr.; Mia Driggs, jr.

From winning a state title in 2023, to being knocked out by a strong Lakeland team in the 2024 4A IEL District Championship best-of-three series, the Sandpoint High girls basketball team has felt a range of emotions over the last two years. One thing remains certain — the Lady Bulldogs are loaded and are bound for another highly competitive season.

"We actually have a lot of experience coming back, even though some of our players are a bit younger... these girls have played a lot of basketball," Sandpoint High seventh-year head coach Will Love said. "We're super excited about our chances with this squad."

Despite losing two All-State players in Karlie Banks, who now plays at Utah State, and Aliya Strock, who now plays at the College of Southern Idaho, Sandpoint returns two sophomore phenoms in Jordyn Tomco and Brecken Mire. Tomco averaged 11 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game last season and was the 4A IEL Newcomer of the Year. Mire averaged 11.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2 steals per game and received 4A IEL First Team honors.

The two utility players are already off to a hot start, helping to power the Lady Bulldogs past Bonners Ferry and Post Falls.

"They've really worked hard at developing their game," coach Love said. "Last year, they showed they could compete at the varsity level as freshman — they have a high ceiling."

Fellow sophomore Livia Driggs, who boasts a solid 3-point shot and the ability to score from all over the floor, has earned herself a starting spot after working hard in the offseason. Her sister, junior Mia Driggs, is also up on varsity this season and will see significant playing time off the bench.

Love said Carly Laybourne, Summer Loutzenhiser and Jaylah Butler, all sophomore guards, will see time and will be swinging between varsity and junior varsity. Sophomore Sienna Todd-Murray and junior forward Jetta Thaete will also be in the mix.

"We're really excited about this group of newcomers; they're some pretty talented athletes with some great basketball skills," coach Love said. "We'll have to lean on them more than we had originally thought, but they're blending in really well after the first couple weeks of the season."

Down low, senior Demi Driggs, who already posted a double-double in a win over Post Falls earlier this season, and senior Chloe Laybourne, will fill in the remaining starting sports.

"We're super lucky to have Demi and Chloe; they've really set the tone as the season got going," coach Love said. "They're what we want to highlight in our program in regards to mindset, work ethic, doing the right thing. Those are things that it takes to win basketball games. They really bring a lot of intangibles, and when we win, I can point to how they contributed to those victories."

Senior Aubrey Knowles and freshman Willow Betz are both out with season-ending injuries. The two were expected to be in the rotation this season and were one of the reasons why Sandpoint scheduled some of the hardest teams in the Northwest this year.

"They're both really good players and will be missed this season," coach Love said. "Aubrey brings a lot of experience and would have helped us with our depth in the backcourt. Willow is really talented, and would have certainly been impactful and in the running for Newcomer of the Year."

As for the schedule itself, Love said he believes it to be one of the toughest in the state of Idaho regardless of classification. At the East Idaho Holiday Shootout, they match up with reigning state champion Shelley, at Shelley High, will face the Greater Spokane League's Ridgeline and University High, Kennewick and Royal High at the Eagle Holiday Classic Tournament, and Timberlake twice... all in addition to the 6A/5A Inland Empire League gauntlet.

"Are we going to have the record that we had the last two seasons? We might not," coach Love said. "On the other hand, it's going to truly prepare us for what we'll face this postseason. Hopefully a season that ends with a trip to Meridian."

Girls Basketball Schedule

11/16 — vs. Bonners Ferry, 7 p.m. 

11/19 — @ Post Falls, 7 p.m. 

12/3 — @ Moscow, 6 p.m. 

12/5 — @ Timberlake, 7 p.m. 

12/10 — @ Coeur d’Alene, 7 p.m. 

12/14 — vs. Lewiston, 7 p.m. 

12/16 — @ West Valley, 5:30 p.m. 

12/21 — vs. University, 7 p.m. 

12/27-28 — Eagle Holiday Classic Tournament @ West Valley 

1/2-4 — East Idaho Shootout Tournament @ Idaho Falls 

1/7 — @ Lakeland, 7 p.m. 

1/9 — vs. Moscow, 7 p.m. 

1/11 — vs. Ridgeline, 5:30 p.m. 

1/14 — vs. Coeur d’Alene, 7 p.m. 

1/17 — vs. Lakeland, 5:30 p.m. 

1/21 — vs. Timberlake, 7 p.m. 

1/24 — @ Lewiston, 5:30 p.m. 

1/28 — @ Lake City, 7 p.m. 

    Sandpoint High senior Chloe Laybourne blocks Bonners Ferry High senior Brooke Petesch during this year's season-opener at Les Rogers Court.