Bishop Kelly Knights

Coach: Larry Crump, ninth season

2011-12 record: 18-7, 13-3 4A SIC

Returning starters: Cory Brady, senior, guard (9 ppg); Turner Simmons, junior, point guard (9 ppg)

Team tidbit: With seven lettermen back from a team that won the 4A SIC regular-season title a year ago, the Knights should be competitive again. Watch for newcomers Ryan Matunas and Conner Mallet to have an immediate impact inside. Both are 6-foot-6 junior posts.

Caldwell Cougars

Coach: Travis Russell, second season

2011-12 record: 11-13, 9-7 4A SIC

Returning starter: Ryan Langan, senior, post (8 ppg)

Team tidbit: The Cougars finished in the middle of the pack last year in their first season back in the 4A classification, and graduated four senior starters. Langan joins Dustin Walker (senior, post), Roley Landeros (senior, guard) and Josh Grover (junior, wing) as the Cougars’ returning lettermen.

Columbia Wildcats

Coach: Reggie Guerrero, seventh season

2011-12 record: 10-13, 7-9 4A SIC

Returning starters: Mogga Lado, junior, center; Tyler Casey, senior, forward; Eric Cotton, senior, center; Parker Albertson, guard

Team tidbit: A mesh of veteran and newcomers have developed solid team chemistry, Guerrero said. Watch for transfers Myles Brewer (Skyview) and Gerald Teal (Capital) to contribute.

Emmett Huskies

Coach: John Gustin, second season

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

Returning starters: none

Team tidbit: The Huskies have to replace 11 of the 12 varsity players from last year’s team. Junior guard Gunnar Gustin is the only returner. He is expected to be a team leader along with junior guard Noah Williams and sophomore forward Porter Gustin.

Kuna Kavemen

Coach: Brian Deatherage, first season

2011-12 record: 16-10, 12-4 4A SIC

Returning starters: Shawn Stanley, junior, point guard; Steven Doughty, senior, forward; Cameron Francis, senior, forward

Team tidbit: Deatherage has coached in the 4A SIC before (at Middleton) and hopes to put the Kavemen’s focus on a on tough defense. Newcomers Michael Norton (senior, center) and Jake Johnson (freshman, forward) could have an immediate impact.

Middleton Vikings

Coach: Bruce Logsdon, fifth season

2011-12 record: 13-10, 10-6 4A SIC

Returning starters: Dominic Sexton, senior, guard (10 ppg, 6 rpg); Tylan Tullock, senior, guard (4 ppg, 2 rpg)

Team tidbit: Only three lettermen are back for the Vikings, but Logsdon expects a solid group of newcomers to keep the team competitive. A smaller, more athletic group will set a quick pace, led by Sexton, Tullock and senior forward Dominic Lara.

Mountain Home Tigers

Coach: Brion Bethel, first season

2011-12 record: 3-19, 3-13 4A SIC

Returning starters: none

Team tidbit: Senior guard Michael Daniels is the only letterman back for the Tigers. Mountain Home is starting a new era after 13 seasons under the leadership of Tony Kerfoot. Bethel said the Tigers hope to carry over the momentum from strong preseason workouts.

Nampa Bulldogs

Coach: Tim Dranginis, first season

2011-12 record: 4-16, 2-14 4A SIC

Returning starters: Carlos Siguenza, senior, guard; Tyler Hamlin, junior, guard; Austin Blackwood, senior, forward

Team tidbit: A solid base of five returning lettermen should help Dranginis mold the Bulldogs into a competitive team a year after finishing last in the league. Dranginis has previously coached at Notus High and his son, Kyle, plays for Gonzaga.

Skyview Hawks

Coach: Aaron Sanders, fourth season

2011-12 record: 18-8, 10-6 4A SIC

Returning starters: Daniel Slemmer, senior, point guard (11 ppg, 5 rpg, 4 apg); Lane Robbins, senior, guard (11 ppg, 4 rpg, 2 apg); Toby Anderson, senior, forward (11 ppg, 5 rpg, 2 apg); JC Kennedy, senior, guard (6 ppg, 2 rpg); Sheldon Field, senior, forward (5 ppg, 3 rpg)

Team tidbit: The Hawks should be tough to beat with all five starters back and a total of nine lettermen. Skyview started slow last year but went on to win its sixth district championship in school history and advance to state for the eighth consecutive season.