From championships to expansions and beginnings: Our favorite sports stories of 2024

EASTERN IDAHO — EastIdahoSports.com is just four months old, but we have already had the honor of covering so many excellent sports stories — from the birth of new sports programs to dynasty-continuing championship wins.

Here are the 10 stories we picked as our favorite sports stories this year.

10. Members of Idaho Falls’ jump rope team to show off skills at Paris Olympics

One of our first stories, the team at Proform Airborne helped us launch EastIdahoSports.com. Meeting a group of kids who had earned the right to perform their craft on an international stage was an honor, and a story we were happy to share.

9. Is Aberdeen’s “Gritty” defense enough to get past perennial power West Side in 3A semifinals?

3A football in east Idaho was just amazing this season, and Aberdeen was right in the middle of the action. The Tigers’ playoff run was spearheaded the old-fashioned way — by it’s defense. The small-town feel of the program and the enthusiasm made it fun to try and paint a picture of that experience, on and off the field.

8. Grace Lutheran, a school of 70, earns title of volleyball champion

A school with a student body of just 70 winning a state championship borders the miraculous. Walking the halls of that tiny school, and seeing how that minuscule student body honored that championship and appreciated it was nearly as exciting — as was seeing the pleasure news of being named out girls teams of the fall brought the school administration.

7. Bolstered by their fans, Spud Kings ready to make playoff run

The Spud Kings are still the hottest ticket in town and if there was any question whether Idaho Falls would support a hockey team, the answer is a resounding yes. If you can get tickets, don’t miss out.

6. Shooting 3’s a family affair for Rams, who open boys basketball season with a win

The boys basketball season is mere weeks old and already we have witnessed a story for the ages. In his first game with the Highland Rams, Tracen Tripple broke a 30-year-old record for made 3’s — set by his father, who was in attendance. It was a magical story.

5. Sugar-Salem powers its way to a 6th state title in 7 years

It’s been a treat to watch Sugar-Salem football over the years. Yes, the Diggers have been a dynasty, but this was a really good championship-style game and the stars made the big plays at the end to win another title. There are players and programs throughout the state that have never had the chance to experience a state title game. Sugar-Salem has been to seven straight championship games, and won six. Even so, Sugar-Salem players, and especially coach Tyler Richins, understood and appreciated the program’s success with pride, but also with a lot of humbleness.

This game was chosen to represent all four state championships won by District 5-6, each of which brought intrigue and excitement to an amazing season of high school football.

4. Madison wins state — again; Bear Lake, Butte County, Grace Lutheran also crowned on season’s final night

Tournaments are taxing on those reporting on them — running from game to game with little or no break time. One can only imagine how much more difficult it is for the athletes and coaches.

This story marked the end of a long volleyball season, and a seemingly longer tournament week. Seeing Madison continue its reign of dominance was a pleasure, seeing other local teams put their heart on soul on the court, and hearing of others doing the same, made covering it all the more easier.

3. It’s been a magical journey from youth ball to Division I college basketball for Shay Shippen and Brianne Bailey

I really enjoyed talking to both of them about their experiences growing up, playing basketball together and then finally the joy they felt playing together one last summer on a travel team. That culminated in more joy as both of them signed to play college ball, albeit at much different programs on opposite sides of the country.

2. Hawkins showed the grit of a champion, finishing her event following a zero-score high jump

Was my sleeping schedule an absolute mess for three days, watching Chari Hawkins compete? Absolutely. Did watching her epitomize the competitive heart make it easier? Definitely.

Hawkins, I’m sure, made all Idahoans proud completing her Olympic competition despite a heartbreaking mistake, and it was an honor sharing that story with those of you who refused to be up hours before the sun to watch.

1. One of the country’s fastest growing sports taking root in east Idaho

This was one of my favorite stories of the year, because it made me feel like I was in on the ground floor of something that’s about to grow and become a very exciting sport for a lot of girls. The vibe reminded me of girls wrestling about five or six years ago, when a few girls delved into an all-boys world and persevered to become pioneers in their own right. Now girls wrestling is mainstream and literally takes center stage at the state wrestling championships. Is that the path for this new girls sport? We shall see.

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