5A SOUTHERN IDAHO CONFERENCE
Boise Braves
Coach: Brian Barber, fifth season
Returning lettermen: nine
Players to watch: Erica Dick, sr., shortstop/RHP; Hailey Chambers, sr., catcher; Bailey Carson, jr., center fielder; Elle Fisher, jr., second baseman.
Team tidbit: The Braves move to a new home at Mountain Cove Field - the former home of Boise State's softball team - which Barber expects to boost excitement. This is the largest group of returners Barber has had.
Borah Lions
Coach: Missy Wheeler, second season
Returning lettermen: nine
Players to watch: Kenzie Bilger, jr., pitcher; Nikki Mather, jr., infielder; Kel Bilger, fr., catcher.
Team tidbit: The Lions feature two sets of sisters on their roster - Jordon and Emmie Smith, and Kenzie and Kel Bilger.
Capital Eagles
Coach: Shane Alder, seventh season
Returning lettermen: six
Players to watch: Heather Tracy, jr., shortstop; Kimberly Carr, sr., first baseman/RHP; Jordan Ward, jr., first baseman/LHP.
Team tidbit: Capital's six returning starters are eager to improve on last year's showing at state, where they went two-and-out. Despite just one senior on the roster, the Eagles have a solid infield and expect to be strong offensively.
Centennial Patriots
Coach: Dean Diffin, sixth season (15th overall)
Returning lettermen: nine
Players to watch: Paige Noehring, sr., shortstop; Sidney Hazen, sr., catcher; Bailey Gallegos, sr., center fielder; Andrea Godina, sr., second baseman; Jordan Timian, jr., pitcher.
Team tidbit: Six of the Patriots' nine returners are seniors, who Diffin expects to be strong at the plate. Timian will handle the majority of the pitching duties for a Centennial team known for strong defense.
Eagle Mustangs
Coach: Doug Corta, fifth season
Returning lettermen: eight
Players to watch: Mackenzi Corta, sr., shortstop; Sara Hingsberger, sr., first baseman; Sierra Stone, jr., left fielder/RHP; Bradie Filmore, fr., RHP; Summer Moffat, sr., third baseman; Justeen Simons, jr., center fielder.
Team tidbit: Corta and Hingsberger have both committed to play for Weber State and are four-year lettermen. The Mustangs' first three batters - Simons, Corta and Hingsberger - could be considered among the best lineups in the league.
Meridian Warriors
Coach: Tom Pinkley, seventh season
Returning lettermen: seven
Players to watch: Kiersten Krawl, sr., center fielder; Amy Burtcher, sr., third baseman; Liz Raphael, jr., pitcher/first baseman; Shelbie Martinez, soph., second baseman; Angelina Romero, jr., shortstop; Renae Fannin, jr., catcher.
Team tidbit: The Warriors - who meet for team dinners every Wednesday - just finished a new locker room and clubhouse. Meridian advanced to state last season for the first time since 2007 and hopes to continue that trend in 2013.
Mountain View Mavericks
Coach: Shawna Juarez, second season (third overall)
Returning lettermen: seven
Players to watch: Destiny Turner, sr., catcher; Taurie Pogue, jr., shortstop/utility; Courtney Moore, jr., pitcher; Kaitlyn Reynolds, jr., outfielder; Dakoda Lee, jr., pitcher/infielder; Kylie Orr, soph., utility; Jordyn Franco, soph., infielder; Megan Browne, fr., pitcher/outfielder.
Team tidbit: The defending district champions return some of the top talent in the state led by All-American Pogue, who had 12 home runs last season, batted .551 and has committed to Cal Berkeley. With seven lettermen back and a talented group of newcomers, the Mavs should be conference contenders again.
Rocky Mountain Grizzlies
Coach: Brian White, fifth season (eighth overall)
Returning lettermen: 11
Players to watch: Taylor Nate, sr., utility; Rachel Nebel, sr., catcher; Emily McConnell, sr., third baseman.
Team tidbit: With 11 players back - including eight seniors - White said it's a battle for starting spots, which should make the Grizzlies better as a team. Rocky plans to rely on solid defense in its bid to return to state for the first time since 2011.
Timberline Wolves
Coach: Kristen Burtch, first season
Returning lettermen: seven
Players to watch: Katelyn Geyer, sr., center fielder; Hanna DeBaugh, sr., shortstop; Lexie Robbins, sr., first baseman; Kenna Bolen, jr., catcher.
Team tidbit: Geyer, DeBaugh and Robbins have all signed to play in college, and their leadership will be key for the Wolves. Burtch - who was previously an assistant for the Wolves - expects her team to be strong at the plate.
Vallivue Falcons
Coach: Kevin Schimmelpfennig, second season
Returning lettermen: seven
Players to watch: Ali Longoria, jr., pitcher; Amanda Skogsberg, soph., first baseman; Brenna Elhart, jr., third baseman; Brooklyn Daylong, soph., catcher.
Team tidbit: Longoria is entering her third season as the Falcons' starting pitcher. Her experience in combination with the return of three of their four infielders should be a strong point for the Falcons.
4A SOUTHERN IDAHO CONFERENCE
Bishop Kelly Knights
Coach: Tom Antonoplos, third season
Returning lettermen: seven
Players to watch: Taylor Falkner, jr., pitcher; CeCe Pratt, jr., third baseman; Morgan Mings, sr., outfielder; Emily Twohig, soph., pitcher; Delaney Atkins, soph. outfielder; Sydney Engelhardt, soph. outfielder; Liliya Imbriani, soph., second baseman.
Team tidbit: Despite being young, the Knights have experience with seven returning lettermen. BK has just one senior and two juniors, and will start a combination of seven freshmen and sophomores.
Caldwell Cougars
Coach: Heather Ramos, third season
Returning lettermen: seven
Players to watch: Katie Soran, sr., second baseman/outfielder; Ashley Gonzales, sr., catcher/utility.
Team tidbit: Ramos says her team - which has nearly every player on the academic honor roll - has come together as a unit and shouldn't be counted out of the 4A SIC race this season.
Columbia Wildcats
Coach: Mike Chavez, sixth season
Returning lettermen: five
Players to watch: Camille Calloway, sr., center fielder; Mallory Dardis, jr., pitcher; Mariah Hudson, jr., catcher.
Team tidbit: The Wildcats have been among the most consistent teams in the state in recent years, coming home with two straight runner-up trophies in 2011 and 2012.
Emmett Huskies
Coach: Melissa Proctor, seventh season
Returning lettermen: seven
Players to watch: Lynnsey Yates, sr., center fielder; Chauncy McMillan, soph., shortstop/pitcher; Sarah Adkinson, jr., pitcher; Jordyn Marquez, fr., catcher.
Team tidbit: Although this is one of the youngest teams Proctor has coached, the Huskies are not without experience. Of the seven returning lettermen, Emmett has one senior, two juniors and four sophomores. The Huskies last won a state title in 2011.
Kuna Kavemen
Coach: Joe Kleffner, 14th season
Returning lettermen: six
Players to watch: Aubree Newman, sr., catcher; Nicole Arizana, soph., pitcher.
Team tidbit: Newman and Arizana were first-team picks in the 4A SIC last season, with each batting over .400. Kleffner says his team is young, but has "worked hard in practice and they like to laugh." The Kavemen are the defending District Three champions.
Middleton Vikings
Coach: Rob Kiser, first season
Returning lettermen: four
Players to watch: Aubrey Creekmore, soph., infielder; Tess Willis, jr., infielder; Katie Bertoni, sr., infielder.
Team tidbit: With just four returning lettermen and a new head coach, the Vikings will be starting over this season. Middleton last won a state title as a 3A school in 2005.
Mountain Home Tigers
Coach: Ron Nicolosi, first season
Returning lettermen: eight
Players to watch: Heather Adams, jr., RHP; Madi Karst, jr., first baseman/third baseman; Taylor Reed, soph., outfielder; Kelly Elliott, sr., outfielder/second baseman.
Team tidbit: Nicolosi - who has previously served as an assistant at Mountain Home - believes an experienced roster will pay dividends for the Tigers defensively. Mountain Home should have a good mix of speed and power at the plate.
Nampa Bulldogs
Coach: Jim Beebe, third season
Returning lettermen: seven
Players to watch: not provided.
Team tidbit: The Bulldogs are looking to make strides after earning just three wins in 2012. Nampa is still young, with just four seniors on its roster and only one who will start. Beebe plans to build depth by carrying 17 players on varsity this season.
Skyview Hawks
Coach: Jessica Wilson, third season
Returning lettermen: eight
Players to watch: Chelsea Szymanski, sr., catcher; Sadie Hilliard, sr., third baseman; Maryssa Santi, jr., second baseman/shortstop; Kylee Kennel, sr., pitcher; Sarah Johansen, sr., center fielder.
Team tidbit: This group of Hawks made program history last year by winning the 4A state championship. Many of the same players broke through in 2011 for the team's first district title and state tournament berth. With eight lettermen back, the Hawks should be considered top contenders again.
Rachel Roberts: 377-6422, Twitter: @IDS_VarsityX
