4A SIC girls basketball preview: The teams to beat, top players to watch this winter

The 4A Southern Idaho Conference returns a wealth of all-conference girls basketball talent this winter. But shakeups make the league more wide open than it’s been in years.

Middleton consistently ruled the 4A SIC, winning three of the past four district titles and the league’s only trophy at last year’s state tournament. But the Vikings’ move to 5A leaves the league up for grabs, with preseason favorite Bishop Kelly and Columbia fighting for the new top spot.

But the league is filled with dark horses looking to make a surprise run. So we broke down the top players, teams and their chances going into the conference schedule. Teams are listed in their order of finish in the preseason poll.

1. BISHOP KELLY KNIGHTS

Last season: 19-8, 12-2 4A SIC

Coach: Derek McCormick, 16th season

Players to watch: Addie Hiler, sr., G/P; Caroline Knothe, sr., P; Logan McCarthy, sr., G

The Knights lost to Middleton in the district and state consolation finals a year ago. But now their longtime rivals are gone, leaving Bishop Kelly as the new favorite in the league.

First-team all-conference guard Addie Hiler (9.4 ppg, 4.0 rebounds) will lead the way, while Caroline Knothe (7.2 ppg, 5.0 rebounds) and Logan McCarthy (6.1 ppg, 3.0 rebounds) can beat opponents with their physical presence. Eight players with varsity experience will be a major key in making another deep run.

2. COLUMBIA WILDCATS

Last season: 17-9, 10-4 4A SIC

Coach: Neal Robertson, fourth season

Players to watch: Mylie Mills, sr., P; Ellie Robertson, jr., G; Jada Myers, jr., G

Reigning conference player of the year and Eastern Oregon volleyball commit Mylie Mills (11.0 ppg, 12.0 rebounds) returns for her final season on the hardwood. The offense runs through Mills, but juniors Ellie Robertson (11.0 ppg) and Jada Myers (10.0 ppg) are second-team all-conference guards who can win games on both ends of the floor.

Robertson said outside shooting and overall consistency have improved over the offseason, giving the Wildcats high expectations heading into the tough conference schedule.

3. SKYVIEW HAWKS

Last season: 8-14, 5-11 5A SIC

Coach: Kacy Bonds, third season

Players to watch: Alex Barrass, sr., W; Maren Lungren, sr., F/P; Kiana Blacker, sr., G/W; Abby Pasta-McGee, sr., G

The Hawks return to the 4A level with a bounty of senior talent, but Alex Barrass (6.0 ppg, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists) is the only returning starter and player with varsity experience. She’s the playmaker on offense, and she’ll look for Kiana Blacker and Abby Pasta-McGee to form a consistent scoring trio.

But Bonds said Skyview has dedicated itself to the defensive side of the ball this season, making Maren Lungren the go-to for key stops against the league’s best.

4. VALLIVUE FALCONS

Last season: 5-17, 3-11 4A SIC

Coach: Andrew Lopez, second season

Players to watch: Alondra Osuna, sr., PG; Paige Upson, jr., SG; Mia Carson, jr., PF

First-team all-conference guard Alondra Osuna (9.6 ppg, 4.5 rebounds, 4.2 steals) and Paige Upson are the leaders and provide enough juice to cause damage. Osuna, a College of Idaho soccer commit, is one of the league’s best on-ball defenders and has a knack for finding the basket. And Upson led the team in assists and 3-pointers a year ago, making her a player opponents should keep an eye on.

Lopez said the Falcons will be tough to beat defensively. But consistent shooting will be a big question throughout.

5. EMMETT HUSKIES

Last season: 10-14, 7-7 4A SIC

Coach: Mark Priano, first season

Players to watch: Hailey Stephenson, sr., F; Kylie Brown, jr., F; Natalie Goslin, so., G/F; Erin Hadley, so., G/F

Few 4A teams have more length on the floor than the Huskies, with Hailey Stephenson and Kylie Brown offering 6-foot-1 frames as one of the league’s toughest frontcourts. Both can shoot from inside and outside the 3-point arc, while Natalie Goslin provides an additional nose for the basket after impressing in her freshman campaign last season.

But Priano, in his 19th season of coaching, enters a program with many inexperienced players at the varsity level. That could create some growing pains, especially with a tough stretch of opponents to start the year.

6. CALDWELL COUGARS

Last season: 0-22, 0-14 4A SIC

Coach: Ashley Green, fifth season

Players to watch: Selena Chaves, sr., F; Tamar Callender, so., PG; A’Mya Gonzalez, jr., SG

The Cougars return eight players with varsity experience, and that chemistry should help a program that’s hungry for its first conference win since February 2021.

It starts with Selena Chaves (6.5 ppg, 7.1 rebounds), an all-conference honorable mention selection who can wreak havoc at the basket. And the backcourt duo of Tamar Callender (4.0 ppg) and A’Mya Gonzalez (4.2 ppg) will be asked to provide big shots to stay in contention. The Cougars shot 17% from the field a year ago, one point Green said will need to improve this season.

7. RIDGEVUE WARHAWKS

Last season: 3-19, 3-11 4A SIC

Coach: John Walker, first season

Players to watch: McKenna Durrant, so., W; Jacotah Thomas, jr., G; Hollund Miller, so., G; Emma Bratvold, so., W

The Warhawks started three freshmen and struggled to find a consistent rhythm last season. Now they reap the rewards with a group of experienced underclassmen ready to take the next step.

McKenna Durrant headlines the young core, scoring the second-most points on the team last year and having a knack for being in the right spot on both ends of the floor. With her are Jacotah Thomas, Hollund Miller and Emma Bratvold, who add high energy and quickness to any possession.

This story was originally published November 28, 2022 at 12:55 PM.