Preseason watch list: The top girls basketball players in Southwest Idaho
The Treasure Valley remains fertile recruiting ground for women’s college basketball scouts. Four local high school basketball stars have already committed to or drawn offers from Division I programs. And more are sure to follow with smaller colleges.
We surveyed coaches throughout District Three on the top players to watch this winter. These were names on everyone’s tongues.
Avery Howell, Boise
College programs throughout the country are after the 6-foot junior forward. She holds 19 known Division I offers entering the season, including ones from Gonzaga, Oklahoma State, Minnesota and Boise State. She imposes her will all over the court for the Brave, averaging 10.2 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.4 steals and 2.2 assists for first-team All-Idaho honors last year.
Lauren McCall, Timberline
The lightning-quick senior point guard steps into a starring role for the reigning state champs. The San Diego signee remains a terror on defense and a nightmare in transition with her vision and athleticism. (She won four state track titles in May.) But she’ll also take on a larger scoring role after averaging 5.7 points and 4.0 assists a year ago.
Sydnie Rodriguez, Owyhee
A first-team all-conference pick at Borah last year, the 5-10 junior guard transferred to Owyhee, where she’s only eligible for the regular season, not district or state. A host of WAC and West Coast Conference schools have already offered her, impressed by her size, athleticism and production (16.3 ppg, 7.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 3.0 steals) as a sophomore.
Paige Cofer, Eagle
Another junior with a Division I future, the 5-11 guard committed to Utah Tech in October after averaging 12.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.7 steals a year ago. Her size and energy makes her a threat on both sides of the floor. But her nose for the basket and mid-range game take her to the next level.
Josie Davis, Owyhee
The 5-7 guard showed no fear as a freshman last year, earning second-team all-conference honors and leading the 5A SIC in steals (3.9 per game). Opponents ought to remain wary of her quick hands and toughness. But she’ll take on a larger role offensively this year, pressuring defenses with her dribble-drive and her improved shooting touch. She averaged 9.3 points and 7.4 rebounds last season.
Demi Thompson, Mountain View
She finished fourth in the 5A SIC with 16.5 points per game last year. Now the 5-8 junior guard will battle for the scoring crown this winter at the head of the Mavericks’ offense. She’s a threat to score from all over the floor. And she hates to lose more than she loves to win, Mountain View coach La’Cale Pringle said.
Cianna LeGaspi, Rocky Mountain
A knee injury sidelined her last year. But the 5-11 junior guard impressed as a freshman, earning second-team all-conference honors. She returns as a guard who makes her presence felt both inside and outside the paint, evidenced by her averages of 9.9 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks as a freshman.
Mylie Mills, Columbia
Her future may lie on the volleyball court, where she has committed to Eastern Oregon. But the 5-10 senior post already has one 4A SIC Player of the Year award under her belt, and she’s the favorite for another. Described as a beast in the paint, she averaged 11 points and 12 rebounds a year ago. The Wildcats will run their offense through her hands.
Addie Hiler, Bishop Kelly
A four-year varsity member, the 6-foot senior guard/forward brings a wealth of experience to the Knights. She earned first-team all-conference honors a year ago while averaging 9.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists. Her ability to score both inside and outside the paint presents a pick-your-poison option for defenses.
Alondra Osuna, Vallivue
An elite on-ball defender, the reigning first-team all-conference pick will hound opposing guards all season. Anything but the tightest handle will result in an easy layup going the other way. The College of Idaho soccer commit averaged 9.6 points and 4.5 rebounds last year, and she led the 4A SIC with 4.2 steals per game.
Mattie Shirts, Weiser
A rare mix of size and quickness, the 5-10 senior forward presents a myriad of problems for defenses. She crashes the boards as hard as anyone and dominates the paint, racking up 12.2 points and 9.1 rebounds last year for a spot on the 3A SRV’s all-conference first team. But her athleticism also makes her a threat on the break and in the Wolverines’ full-court press.
Rylie Calkins, Parma
A breakout freshman campaign saw the guard earn first-team all-conference honors after averaging 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.2 steals. The coach’s daughter played well beyond her years, showcasing a deadly 3-point shot and proving she’s just as dangerous when she attacks the rim.
Kendall Clark, Melba
The latest in the line of the Clark sisters, the 5-10 senior forward will join Kate and Emma on the Northwest Nazarene roster next season. But the reigning first-team 2A All-Idaho pick still has another state title to chase. She poured in 11.3 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 2.6 steals per game while battling a knee injury last year. She’s back and stronger than ever.
Hadley Fraas, Cole Valley Christian
Long known as the younger sister of Ellie Fraas, the 5-11 junior forward gets the chance to step out of the shadow. She helped Cole Valley capture an elusive state title last year, averaging 10.2 points and 6.8 rebounds for a second-team All-Idaho spot. The Chargers will rely on her leadership, nose for the rim and court awareness to defend their championship.
Shae Olsen, Greenleaf
The four-year starter will play for the College of Idaho women’s soccer program next year. But she gets one last go-round to terrorize 1ADI WIC opponents. The reigning second-team All-Idaho pick can score from anywhere and always seems to find herself in the right place at the right time. She racked up 16.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 5.1 steals per game a year ago.
Kimberly Arias, Wilder
The Wildcats may list the senior as a point guard. But she can, and will, play all five positions on the floor. She proved that last season, stuffing the stat sheet with 13.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 4.1 steals and 2.5 blocks per game. She’s just as comfortable raining down 3-pointers as she is mixing it up in the paint, never giving opponents a chance to catch their breath.
Hope Zollman, Council
The jack-of-all-trades led the Lumberjacks to a 1A Division II state runner-up finish last year and earned second-team All-Idaho honors while averaging 9.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 3.0 steals. Council will rely on the 5-7 junior wing to fill several roles again. She’ll draw the top defensive assignment each night, clean up the glass and serve as an inside and outside scoring option.
