Changing of the Guards in Prep Basketball

A longtime fraternity of highly successful coaches in boys Idaho high school basketball is starting to unravel. It began last year when Cary Cada of Borah stepped down after 22 years of coaching Lions basketball.

Then Chris Frost of the Highland Rams did likewise after 27 years. On Wednesday Scott Adams of Firth called it quits after 7 state boys basketball titles, tied for the most in Idaho history.

Now Bill Hawkins of Madison High has stepped down after 29 years with the Bobcats. He led Madison to 10 state championship games and won 50% of those. This past year the defending state 5A champions were upset in the first round by Centennial. It was the tournament shocker after Madison had been ranked #1 in the state all year. Rocky Mountain ranked #2 then breezed to the state title but prep basketball fans were denied the anticipated 1-2 showdown for the title. Madison went on to win the consolation championship in what was Hawkins last game as their head coach.

It is a changing of the guards for sure as an era in Idaho boys high school basketball comes to an end.