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Over the next several days, boys basketball teams in Idaho will experience both jubilation and heartbreak at the Idaho (IHSAA) state championships in Nampa and across the Treasure Valley.

So who are the teams to beat? Here is SBLive Idaho's breakdown of who and what to follow in every classification:

CLASS 5A STATE TOURNAMENT

Thursday’s schedule

No. 1 Lake City (22-1) vs. No. 8 Centennial (14-10), noon, Ford Idaho Center

No. 4 Eagle (20-4) vs. No. 5 Rigby (16-8), 2 p.m., Ford Idaho Center

No. 3 Madison (18-5) vs. No. 6 Meridian (17-9), 5 p.m., Ford Idaho Center

No. 2 Owyhee (21-3) vs. No. 7 Mountain View (15-9), 7 p.m., Ford Idaho Center

FAVORITE: Lake City (22-1)

The Timberwolves returned basically everyone from last year’s state runner-up team, including 6-foot-11 skywalker Blake Buchanan (13.7 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.7 blocks). The junior center already has five Division 1 offers from Idaho, Pepperdine, San Jose State, San Francisco and Utah Valley. Junior point guard Kolton Mitchell is the leading scorer at 18 ppg, while junior wing Zach Johnson completes their big 3 with 10.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.

CONTENDER: Owyhee (21-3)

The Storm are in uncharted waters here. No first-year boys basketball program has won a state title in recent memory. They enter with the classification’s longest winning streak at 17 games. Sophomore Liam Campbell is a top-30 national recruit for his class with 18 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. He has seven D-I offers, including USC. Senior Jack Payne (11.7 ppg), 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.7 steals, 2.3 blocks is signed to Colorado State.

DARKHORSE: Eagle (20-4)

The Mustangs are the feel-good story. Head coach Cody Pickett took a slight leave of absence from the team in the middle of the season after undergoing emergency heart surgery. They’re the only Idaho team to beat Owyhee. Senior forward Donovan Jones (13.4 points, 6.9 rebounds, 3.4 steals) will walk on to Stanford for football. Junior forward Landon White (12.8 points, 6.4 rebounds) and senior guard Gage Jones (10.3 ppg) are also scoring in double figures.

CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION

Owyhee 67, Lake City 65

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CLASS 4A STATE TOURNAMENT

Thursday’s schedule

No. 1 Hillcrest (22-2) vs. No. 8 Vallivue (14-10), noon, Rocky Mountain High School

No. 4 Middleton (23-2) vs. No. 5 Bishop Kelly (19-5), 2 p.m., Rocky Mountain High School

No. 3 Jerome (22-2) vs. No. 6 Moscow (15-9), 5 p.m., Rocky Mountain High School

No. 2 Pocatello (21-3) vs. No. 7 Burley (11-12), 7 p.m., Rocky Mountain High School

FAVORITE: Middleton (23-2)

The Vikings qualified through the state play-in game I know. But before a surprise district semifinal loss to Vallivue, they were ranked No. 1 and had an 18-game winning streak. Middleton is also the reigning champion and has arguably the best player in the tourney in Tyler Medaris. The 6-7 senior wing is averaging a double-double of 13.4 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He has 1,002 points, 701 rebounds, 200 assists and 111 blocks for his career.

CONTENDER: Hillcrest (22-2)

The Knights come in with the longest active winning streak in the classification at 21 games. Their only two losses came during the first three games of the season and both were to out-of-state teams. 6-7 sophomore C Isaac Davis is nearly averaging a double-double at 13.8 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. Senior guard Cooper Kesler leads the team in scoring with 19 points to go along with 4.3 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game.

DARKHORSE: Pocatello (21-3)

Much was made about the South East Idaho Conference only getting one team in with Century and Preston being ranked fourth and sixth, respectively, in the MaxPreps rankings. But the Thunder were the ones who gritted out the bid for their first state appearance in 13 years. Pocatello has won 15 of its last 16 games. Sophomore guard Julian Bowie already has offers from Boise State, Idaho State and Utah State. But watch out for senior guard Ryan Payne.

CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION

Middleton 62, Pocatello 56

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CLASS 3A STATE TOURNAMENT

Thursday’s schedule

No. 1 Marsh Valley (21-2) vs. No. 8 Bonners Ferry (13-8), noon, Meridian High School

No. 4 Fruitland (18-7) vs. No. 5 Kimberly (16-6), 2 p.m., Meridian High School

No. 3 Snake River (21-6) vs. No. 6 Homedale (14-9), 5 p.m., Meridian High School

No. 2 McCall-Donnelly (18-2) vs. No. 7 Sugar-Salem (12-11), 7 p.m., Meridian High School

FAVORITE: Marsh Valley (21-2)

Marsh Valley returned four key contributors from last year’s state championship team, including 6-3 junior wing all-state returner, Stanton Howell. But seniors Michael Belnap (F), Payton Howe (G) and Karter Howell (F) are all playmakers too. It’s shown with 16 straight wins and the only two losses coming out-of-state. The Eagles do it with defense. They have the second-best one in the state (38.0 points). Marsh Valley has only allowed more than 50 points in a game once.

CONTENDER: McCall-Donnelly (18-2)

The defending runner-up had the best finish in program history last season. It’s only the third time in 34 years the Vandals are at state. Lucky for them they have arguably the best player in the bracket in senior guard DJ Green. The reigning 3A Player of the Year is on his way to a repeat with 18.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. But senior guards Ethan Tinney (8.8 ppg, 6.8 rebounds) and Alex Johnson (8.4 ppg) were both on the team a year ago too.

DARKHORSE: Snake River (21-6)

The Panthers have become a staple of the tournament with their 16th appearance in 17 seasons. A lot of that has to do with the man in charge Robert Coombs, who has more than 500 wins and five state titles in 29 years. So he knows a thing or two about winning this time of year. Senior Cole Gilbert (F), sophomore Luke Higginsin (G) and freshman Marcus Coombs (P) have done a great job reloading the program after the loss of four seniors last year.

CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION

McCall-Donnelly 51, Marsh Valley 47

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CLASS 2A STATE TOURNAMENT

Thursday’s schedule

No. 1 North Fremont (20-2) vs. No. 8 Valley (16-7), noon, Capital High School

No. 4 Melba (21-2) vs. No. 5 Ambrose (20-4), 2 p.m., Capital High School

No. 3 St. Maries (18-3) vs. No. 6 Firth (16-9), 5 p.m., Capital High School

No. 2 West Side (18-8) vs. No. 7 Bear Lake (12-12), 7 p.m., Capital High School

FAVORITE: North Fremont (20-2)

It took a 3-pointer from nearly half court at the buzzer in the semis to end the Huskies’ attempt at three consecutive titles. And you best believe they haven’t forgotten. North Fremont will look to resume the dynasty with Jordan Lenz. The senior guard has been the 2A Player of the Year the last two seasons and it very well could be three by year’s end. Only two losses are to fellow state qualifiers West Side and Firth, both of which the Huskies have gotten payback on.

CONTENDER: St. Maries (18-3)

That improbable 3 came at the hands of senior forward Colby Renner, whose shot the Lumberjacks rode to the first state title in 51 years. Senior post Tristan Gentry-Nelson is the go-to player with 14.6 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.1 steals per game. Senior guard Coleman Ross is next at 9.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 3.2 steals. Only losses are to defending 1A D1 champ Lapwai (twice) and Ambrose, which they beat in last year’s final.

DARKHORSE: Melba (21-2)

The Mustangs have the second-best offense in 2A at 63.4 points per game. A lot of that has to do with three different players averaging double figures in scoring. Senior guard Joe Reiber leads them in scoring at 19.9 ppg). Junior point guard Braden Volkers is at 12.7 ppg, while sophomore forward Cache Beus is putting up a double-double of 10.2 points and 11.7 rebounds per game. Melba is on a 12-game winning streak.

CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION

North Fremont 58, St. Maries 53

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CLASS 1A D1 STATE TOURNAMENT

Thursday’s schedule

No. 1 Lapwai (24-0) vs. No. 8 Lighthouse Christian (13-10), noon, Vallivue High School

No. 4 Logos (16-7) vs. No. 5 Oakley (16-6), 2 p.m., Vallivue High School

No. 3 Grace (18-5) vs. No. 6 Rimrock (17-4), 5 p.m., Vallivue High School

No. 2 Kamiah (18-6) vs. No. 7 Liberty Charter (18-5), Vallivue High School

FAVORITE: Lapwai (24-0)

The Wildcats are trying for the first undefeated season since 1989 - the last of a three-peat that resulted in an 81-game winning streak. Lapwai is on a 33-game winning streak dating back to last season. Seven wins have come against higher classification teams, including 5A Lewiston, which handed Lake City its only loss. Four players are scoring in double figures, including sophomore Kase Wynott (25 ppg) and Idaho signee Titus Yearout (15 ppg).

CONTENDER: Kamiah (18-6)

If there’s any team that has a shot to defeat the seemingly unbeatable Lapwai, it’s probably the Kubs. They’re familiar with the Wildcats having played them three times after all. It’s not easy to beat the same team four times in one season. Their other three losses came against qualifier Logos and 2A classification teams in Soda Springs and New Plymouth. Kamiah is second in scoring defense at 37.6 points per game. That’s in large part due to freshman David Kludt.

DARKHORSE: Grace (18-5)

The Grizzlies come in red hot the winners of 11 of 12 games. They have yet to lose to a team in the 1A D1 classification. Grace owns a win over 2A state qualifier Bear Lake. It is at state for the third year in a row and is only two seasons removed from playing in the championship game. It's pick your poison with the trio of senior Payson Anderson (G), junior Ty Gilbert (G) and junior Dallon Draper (F). The Grizzlies’ last title came back in 2003.

CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION

Lapwai 82, Grace 54

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CLASS 1A DII STATE TOURNAMENT

Thursday’s schedule

No. 1 Camas County (20-3) vs. No. 8 Cascade (14-9), noon, Caldwell High School

No. 4 North Gem (17-5) vs. No. 5 Council (18-4), 2 p.m., Caldwell High School

No. 3 Rockland (20-3) vs. No. 6 Kendrick (12-8), 5 p.m., Caldwell High School

No. 2 Carey (19-6) vs. No. 7 Timberline (13-10), 7 p.m., Caldwell High School

FAVORITE: Rockland (20-3)

The Bulldogs are back at state for the eighth time in nine seasons and are bringing the state’s best defense with them. They’re giving up just 28.4 points per game and haven’t allowed any team to crack 50. It’s probably the biggest reason why Rockland has won 13 of 14 games coming in. Sophomore guard Teague Matthews started on last year’s third-place team. The Bulldogs have never won a state title and their only appearance in one came in 2015.

CONTENDER: Camas County (20-3)

After 17 long years, the Mushers are back at state and as the No. 1 overall seed no less. It’s been even longer since they’ve done anything of note too. Camas County’s last state title came 48 years ago with its last championship game appearance in 1978. Senior Breken Clarke (G), senior Dawson Kramer (F), and sophomore Tristen Smith (G) all put up points with the team averaging 61.4 per game - the most in the 1A DII.

DARKHORSE: Carey (19-6)

Death, taxes and the Panthers making state are the three certainties in life. They’re making their 17th straight appearance - the longest active streak among all classifications. Carey knows what to do when it gets there too. It has won two titles (2011, 2015) and played in six finals with the last being not that long ago in 2018. Junior Carsn Perkes is averaging a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds per game.

CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTION

Rockland 47, Camas County 39