5A SOUTHERN IDAHO CONFERENCE

Boys

Teams to watch: Three teams return their entire lineups from last season. Leading the way is defending state champion Eagle, which features juniors Colby Dean, Chris Carew, Aden Cowley, Philip Kennedy and sophomore Graysen Huff. Carew is the defending state champ, but Dean is expected to be the Mustangs' No. 1 golfer. District Three champion Boise also returns a strong roster, led by senior Kyle Mitsunaga. Rocky Mountain is the other squad with all five lettermen back, including defending district champion Kyle Bendawald. Timberline should be in the team mix behind Boise State commit Mark Brassey.

Players to watch: Capital junior Hayden Ritter, Centennial junior Sam Dulski, Meridian junior Clayton Borders, Timberline junior Richard Hall, Vallivue senior Riley Johnson and freshman Connor Johnstone.

Girls

Teams to watch: State and district runner-up Rocky Mountain has five lettermen back in seniors Gabrielle Giesbrecht and Shaunel Fillmore, juniors Ryleigh Moore and Carson Pickett and sophomore Hannah Giesbrecht. Defending district champion Vallivue returns several golfers, led by junior Gabby Barker, who won the district title and finished second at state. Timberline also could rise to the top with the help of junior Maddi Barnett and freshman Katie Cudworth. Senior Lou Points will spearhead a young but potent Eagle team along with returning junior Hayley Jordan and freshman Hailey Spalding.

Players to watch: Boise juniors Lexie Vandrey and Allison Baker, Borah senior Tori Schoonover, Capital senior Lexie Albi, Centennial senior Sophie Confalone, Meridian senior Brandy Phothisane.

4A SOUTHERN IDAHO CONFERENCE

Boys

Teams to watch: This year's field will be particularly competitive, with at least four teams in the running for the league championship. Middleton, which finished second at state last year, returns Braxton Miller, Taylor Hopkins and sophomores Bryton Wood and Wyatt Kelly. Miller was fourth at state last season, but will be pushed by Hopkins for the Vikings' top spot. Defending district champion Columbia returns Luke Vaartstra, Greg Law, Steven Grow and Caleb Preece. Skyview brings back senior Devan Berg and sophomores Cameron Gaschler, Drew Lunt, Justin Higgins and Jared Stensgaard. Bishop Kelly has four lettermen back, including seniors Peter Seppi, Alec McNarie and Max Mallane along with sophomore Tyler Allumbaugh.

Players to watch: Caldwell senior Cameron McCue, Emmett junior Tristen Bessey, Kuna senior Jed Lamphere and junior Austin Drake, Nampa senior Zach Bright.

Girls

Teams to watch: Defending state and district champion Bishop Kelly has four top golfers back, including junior Haley Nist - who won the district title and finished fourth at state - senior Kindall Murie and juniors Jennifer Wilson and Abby Jorgenson. Hoping to dethrone a strong BK team is Middleton, which will be led by No. 1 golfer Madison Johnson and freshman Maddie Dees. Skyview missed out on a state berth last year by one spot and brings back seniors Libby Gropp and Jordyn Berg, juniors Rachel Stucki and Paige Rose and sophomore Hannah Weber.

Players to watch: Caldwell senior Lexi Oropeza, Columbia juniors Nicole Kramer and Tabatha McGilvery, Emmett junior Lauren Downer and freshman Jessica Lyter, Kuna junior Shelby Wiedenfeld and sophomore Mikayla Seburn, Nampa sophomore Bryanna Stever.

Rachel Roberts: 377-6422, Twitter: @IDS_VarsityX