Please email nominations to rroberts@idahostatesman.com

BOYS BASKETBALL

Leighton Vander Esch, Salmon River: The Savages kept their unbeaten record intact with two wins last week. The junior scored 32 points with 11 rebounds and 10 assists in a 76-46 victory against Horseshoe Bend. Vander Esch then scored 18 points, nine rebounds and five assists in a 48-32 win over Deary to improve to 14-0 overall and 8-0 in the 1A Long Pin Conference.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Craig Naylor was selected as the next head coach of the Caldwell High girls soccer team.

Naylor takes over a varsity program that finished one win short of qualifying for the state tournament this past season.

Naylor, who holds a USSF National B license and a NSCAA State Level Goalkeeper Diploma, has more than 20 years of coaching experience, and arrives at Caldwell from Anchorage, Alaska.

Caldwell High will formally introduce Naylor at 7 p.m. Monday in the high school library. All interested players and parents are encouraged to attend.

Elijah Armstrong of Pocatello High was selected as the 2012-13 Gatorade Idaho Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year on Thursday.

The 5-foot-10, 125-pound sophomore raced to a 4A individual state title this past season in a time of 15 minutes, 34.10 seconds, leading the Indians to a state team championship.

Armstrong earned third place at the Nike Cross Nationals Northwest Regional championships, crossing the line in 15:37.20. He also placed 11th at the Foot Locker West Regional championships in 15:53.

Records are through Tuesday, Jan. 15.

5A W-L Pts. Pvs.

1. Coeur d'Alene (5) 14-3 40 2

2. Post Falls (3) 15-1 37 1

3. Highland (1) 13-2 25 3

4. Rocky Mountain 13-2 15 4

5. Lewiston 13-3 13 T-5

Others receiving votes: Madison 3, Mountain View 1, Meridian 1.

4A

1. Middleton (9) 16-0 45 1

2. Skyview 12-4 32 T-2

3. Twin Falls 12-4 20 5

4. Bishop Kelly 11-5 18 T-2

5. Burley 11-4 17 4

Others receiving votes: Nampa 1, Century 1, Pocatello 1.

3A

1. Snake River (8) 15-1 44 1

2. Filer (1) 13-3 31 3

National Signing Day is Wednesday, Feb. 6.

Below is a list that includes Treasure Valley athletes (2013 graduates unless otherwise noted) who have either signed a letter of intent or have verbally committed to compete for a college or university. The information was provided to the Statesman by high school coaches and administrators or by club team officials. College commitments and signings can be sent to rroberts@idahostatesman.com.

The Skyview High School Athletics Hall of Fame will induct Cade Woolstenhulme and Kirsti Blackhurst-Kemp into its 2012 class on Friday.

Woolstenhulme is a 2000 graduate who played football, basketball and baseball for the Hawks. Blackhurst-Kemp graduated from Skyview in 2001, lettering in volleyball, basketball and track and field.

Skyview's hall of fame was founded to honor and perpetuate the contributions of those people who have left a "Legacy of Excellence" and distinction to its athletic department and school community.

Records as of Monday, Jan. 14

5A
Team (1st-place votes) W-L Points Previous
1. Borah (10) 13-0 50 1
2. Rocky Mountain 10-3 31 2
3. Mountain View 10-3 24 3
4. Hillcrest 10-3 15 4
5. Highland 9-3 14 -
Others receiving votes: Lake City 13, Madison 3.

4A
Team (1st-place votes) W-L Points Previous
1. Skyview (9) 11-1 49 1
2. Bonneville (1) 11-1 41 2
3. Emmett 9-3 23 4

After spending the past five seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Eagle High football team, Scott Criner decided he was ready to be a head coach again.

The Rocky Mountain football community couldn’t be happier.

The 53-year-old Criner was named the Grizzlies’ new head coach Tuesday. He takes over for Jason Warr, who resigned at the end of the season.

“I think there are some great jobs here in the state, and I thought Rocky was one of them,” Criner said.

Please email nominations to rroberts@idahostatesman.com

BOYS BASKETBALL

Hunter Dennis, Centennial: The forward led the Patriots in scoring in two victories last week. In a 49-48 upset of Rocky Mountain, the 6-foot-4 junior scored 19 points. Dennis then added 24 points and five assists in a 61-48 victory over Meridian.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Fruitland High senior quarterback/linebacker Joe Martarano was recently named to the MaxPreps 2012 Small Schools All-American Football Team.

Martarano was selected for the first team defense at linebacker after racking up 50 solo tackles with 84 assists, four interceptions and two sacks this past season. He also was named the Idaho Statesman's 3A All-Idaho Player of the year. The 6-foot-3, 230-pounder has made a verbal commitment to play football for Boise State, but is likely to be selected in the MLB Draft in June.