Bishop Kelly Knights

Coach: Derek McCormick, sixth season

2011-12 record: 20-6, 13-3 4A SIC

Returning starter: Kindall Murie, senior, point guard

Team tidbit: The Knights lost four starters from last year’s state qualifying team. This year’s squad is athletic with six returning lettermen — three seniors (Becca Hassell, Dani Kent, Murie), two juniors (Miakela Murgoitio, Mickie Piechowski) and a sophomore (Molly Adcox).

Caldwell Cougars

Coach: Tonia Burk, eighth season

2011-12 record: 0-20, 0-16 4A SIC

Returning starters: Paulette Robles, senior, guard (12.1 ppg); Tamika Russell, sophomore, guard (3.5 ppg); Tanisha Newton, sophomore (3.1 ppg); Mariela Ruiz, junior (5.1 ppg); Kaylee Bower, junior (3 apg, 2 spg)

Team tidbit: Caldwell’s returners committed to run cross country in the fall, which should give the Cougars a physical edge over their opponents. The well-conditioned, athletic Cougars shouldn’t have trouble getting back into the win column this season.

Columbia Wildcats

Coach: Driggs Jessup, third season

2011-12 record: 3-18, 3-13 4A SIC

Returning starters: None

Team tidbit: Jessup said the Wildcats are working to finalize their roster, but the varsity lineup has not yet been decided.

Emmett Huskies

Coach: Katie Walton, first season

2011-12 record: 6-15, 6-10 4A SIC

Returning starter: Mimi Sanchez, junior, guard

Team tidbit: Walton is a former Emmett High standout (Katie Zillner) who is eager to reignite the Huskies’ program. Seniors Kaitlyn Stratton (guard), Oralia Garcia (post) and Taylor Dunn (post) join Sanchez as returning lettermen.

Kuna Kavemen

Coach: Alex Jensen, first season

2011-12 record: 10-13, 8-8 4A SIC

Returning starters: Nicole Arizana, sophomore, point guard; Ruby Shreeve, junior, guard; Katelin Robirts, senior, post

Team tidbit: The Kavemen need to establish coaching stability: Jensen is the third leader in three seasons. Three returning starters and four lettermen should ease the transition.

Middleton Vikings

Coach: Andy Jones, 11th season

2011-12 record: 26-0, 16-0 4A SIC

Returning starters: D’Rae Tullock, junior, center (14.3 ppg, 7.6 rpg); Allison Cossins, junior, forward (2.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg)

Team tidbit: Middleton is going for an unprecedented fourth straight state title at the 4A level. Seven lettermen are back, plus a pair of senior transfers in Celeste Pantoja and Ashlee Moser. Middleton has won four of the past five state championships.

Mountain Home Tigers

Coach: Brent Keener, sixth season

2011-12 record: 8-14, 6-10 4A SIC

Returning starter: Marissa Streeter, senior, guard (3 ppg, 2 rpg)

Team tidbit: The Tigers are young with just two seniors — Streeter and post Tessa Pachner — but six lettermen return for a squad that fell one victory short of advancing to a state play-in game last year.

Nampa Bulldogs

Coach: Cam Long, ninth season

2011-12 record: 11-12, 8-8 4A SIC

Returning starters: Danielle Jardine, sophomore, post (10.1 ppg, 8.1 rpg); Raquel Jardine, sophomore, post (9.6 ppg, 6.3 rpg); Deja Holland, junior, guard (5.3 ppg, 1.4 spg); Claudia Rosas, senior, guard (4.3 ppg, 1.1 spg)

Team tidbit: Nampa finished fourth in the regular season last year and is poised to improve on that mark with seven lettermen back. The Jardine twins are two of the conference’s elite players.

Skyview Hawks

Coach: Cindy Pasta, 18th season

2011-12 record: 18-8, 12-4 4A SIC

Returning starters: Bailey Pasta, junior, guard; Kiarra Rowe, senior, guard/wing; Sarah Johansen, senior, wing; Ashlynn Smith, junior, post; Taylor Eisenbeis, senior, post

Team tidbit: The Hawks were dealt a blow over the summer when leading scorer and reigning 4A SIC player of the year Leah Bonner was lost for the season with an ACL injury. Seven letterman are back from last year’s state-qualifying team, which finished as the district runner-up to state champion Middleton.

Rachel Roberts: 377-6422, Twitter: @IDS_VarsityX