Idaho’s high school baseball scene celebrated two of its most successful coaches this season, as Scotty Tondevold of Orofino and Cole Thompson of Potlatch were named the state’s prep baseball coaches of the year.
State Championships and Season Highlights
Tondevold guided the Orofino team to a 24‑3 finish and a state championship, closing the year on a seven‑game winning streak, while Thompson’s Loggers posted a 24‑2 record and captured the Idaho Class 2A title in his inaugural year as head coach.
The accolades extended to 22 athletes from nine schools who earned all‑state honors, including Nicholas Bonner of Orofino, who posted a .628 on‑base percentage and stole 33 bases, and Jaeger Tondevold, who led his classification with 42 stolen bases in 43 attempts.
Additional standouts such as Jameson Morris and Trey Magallon from Potlatch combined a 4‑0 record with sub‑1.50 ERAs and strong batting lines, while Michael Scalzo, Jay Marshall, and Ralli Roetcisoender also earned first‑team recognition, and Cal Robbins represented the Bengals on the Class 5A All‑Idaho second team.
Both coaches emphasized that the teams’ hard work and unity were the foundations of their success, with Tondevold noting that the championship was the culmination of a season‑long commitment to excellence.
Looking Ahead
As the next season approaches, players and coaches alike are already setting goals to build on this year’s achievements, aiming to sustain the momentum and bring further recognition to Idaho’s growing baseball community.