Girls basketball preview: Ranking Southwest Idaho’s top small-school teams from 3A to 1A
Southwest Idaho girls basketball teams are beginning to shake off the rust this month with the aim of playing their best ball once tournament time begins in February.
Two Treasure Valley squads hope to defend their state crowns — Melba (2A) and Council (1A Division II) — as the rest of the small-school field gears up to try to knock them off.
The Idaho Statesman surveyed the district’s 3A, 2A, 1A Division I and 1A Division II coaches to see what teams and players they have their eyes on this winter. These were the top teams to watch, as well as the top players in each program.
TEAMS TO WATCH
Parma: The Panthers have been the 3A classification’s top defensive team the past two seasons, and they’ve advanced to state seven years in a row. Four starters return from a squad that finished as the 3A Snake River Valley runner-up and lost in the state consolation final. Leading the way is junior guard Rylie Calkins, who earned second-team All-Idaho honors last season after contributing 12.1 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game. Also back are junior guard Kaidance Kaiser (10.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 5.6 spg), senior guard Sidney Jackson (10.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.2 spg) and junior wing Haylee Gentry.
McCall-Donnelly: The Vandals are the 3A SRV’s wildcard this season after finishing second in a preseason coaches’ poll. They last made state during the 2020-21 season, going two-and-out. But first-year co-coaches Lexi Onthank and Timothy Thomas have three returning starters in senior guard Gabi Green, sophomore point guard Izzy Tinney and junior guard Shilah Arnold. Green was a first-team all-conference pick a year ago, and Tinney earned honorable mention recognition. The Vandals also expect senior guard Cassidy Crockett to have an impact this season with her leadership and defensive skills.
Cole Valley Christian: After winning a 2A state title in 2022, the Chargers lost in the third-place game last season and return plenty of firepower from that team. All five starters are back and poised to make another championship run, headlined by returning All-Idaho first-team pick Hadley Fraas, who averaged 14.9 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. Helping add balance to Cole Valley Christian’s offense are sophomore point guard Trinity Holsinger (13 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2 apg) and sophomore shooting guard Tessa Orcutt (5.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.8 apg), both of whom received all-conference recognition last season.
Melba: The Mustangs have won two of the past three 2A state championships, including a perfect 26-0 run to the 2023 title. But coach David Lenz, who begins his eighth season at Melba, knows he has his work cut out for him this year. Only one starter returns from last season’s championship team, opening the door for a lot of new faces. Point guard Brooklynn Dayley returns for her senior season after earning first-team All-Idaho honors. Dayley, a four-year starter, averaged 11.4 points, 4.9 assists and 5.5 steals per game last season. And junior forward Tariah Carter (4.9 ppg) will have a bigger role for the Mustangs this year following a sophomore campaign in which she was an honorable mention all-conference pick.
Liberty Charter: The Patriots have been a consistent contender in the 1A Division I Western Idaho Conference, advancing to state nine straight years. Last year’s group lost in the consolation final, but a team from District Three has yet to hoist the state title trophy since the 1A Division I classification was formed in 2009. Liberty Charter will look to end that trend with the return of two starters: junior guard Jennabelle Reece and senior guard Aspen Davis. Reece was an all-conference honorable mention selection last year, and Davis is one of the Patriots’ top 3-point threats, coach Brad McCain said.
Council: The Lumberjacks have played in the 1A Division II state championship game the past two seasons, winning it all in 2023. They are the unanimous favorites to win a third straight district championship in a preseason coaches’ poll. Three starters are back, including senior point guard Rhianna Iveson, who was voted to the All-Idaho second team after averaging 8.9 points, 3.6 assists and 2.7 steals per game. Fellow starters in senior guard/wing Hope Zollman (7.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg) and junior wing/post Ava Eppich (7.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg) add balance to a Council offense that led the classification in scoring last season.
TEAM CAPSULES
Listed in order of predicted finish from preseason coaches’ polls.
3A SRV
1. PARMA
Last season: 20-6, 9-1 3A SRV
Coach: Michael Calkins, 12th season
Players to watch: Rylie Calkins, jr., G; Kaidance Kaiser, jr., G; Sidney Jackson, sr., G
2. MCCALL-DONNELLY
Last season: 11-12, 3-7 3A SRV
Coach: Lexi Onthank and Timothy Thomas, first season
Players to watch: Gabi Green, sr., G; Izzy Tinney, so., PG; Shilah Arnold, jr., G; Cassidy Crockett, sr., G
3. FRUITLAND
Last season: 16-8, 8-2 3A SRV
Coach: Willie Lake, second season
Players to watch: Briyer Howell, sr., C; Halle Drollinger, sr., G; Julia Philpot, sr., F
4. WEISER
Last season: 23-4, 7-3 3A SRV
Coach: Laraine Harrison, fifth season
Players to watch: Kailee Lerew, jr., G; Ellie Shirts, so., G; Kendall Rynearson, sr., G
5. HOMEDALE
Last season: 7-15, 3-7 3A SRV
Coach: Benji Sorenson, second season
Players to watch: Arlett Quezada, sr., PG; Kierstley Roseborough, so., P; Tiana Sorenson, so., W/P; Oliva Asumendi, sr., P
6. PAYETTE
Last season: 4-18, 0-10 3A SRV
Coach: Mike Boudreau, first season
Players to watch: Jenna Cortright, jr., multiple; Lahela Bartolome, sr., W/G; Heidi Piekarz, jr., F; Sianna Gable, jr., G
2A WIC
1. COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN
Last season: 19-7, 8-2 2A WIC
Coach: Matt Beglinger, fourth season
Players to watch: Hadley Fraas, sr., F; Trinity Holsinger, so., PG; Tessa Orcutt, so., SG
2. MELBA
Last season: 26-0, 10-0 2A WIC
Coach: David Lenz, eighth season
Players to watch: Brooklynn Dayley, sr., PG; Tariah Carter, jr., F
3. NEW PLYMOUTH
Last season: 6-16, 3-7 2A WIC
Coach: Tara Lake, first season
Players to watch: Zavier Lake, sr., PG; Hope Hailey, so., G; Sam Withers, jr., F; Hailey Oxnam, jr., G
4. AMBROSE
Last season: 17-11, 6-4 2A WIC
Coach: Kelly Barbour, fourth season
Players to watch: Inara Ries, sr., G; Cate Perrigo, sr., G/F; Cali Tadman, fr., G
5. NAMPA CHRISTIAN
Last season: 6-16, 3-7 2A WIC
Coach: Randale Brothers, second season
Players to watch: Taylor Davy, so., G; Kate Nelson, jr., F; Alexis Peak, jr., G; Chloe Lin, fr., PG
6. MARSING
Last season: 3-16, 0-10 2A WIC
Coach: Aidrie Voile, first season
Players to watch: Raylynn Vanosdall, jr., G; Adyson Chadez, so., G; Lily Thoene, jr., F; Ashlyn Porter, jr., G
7. COMPASS CHARTER
Last season: 4-15
Coach: Adam Mastalski, second season
Players to watch: Sophia Kartchner, so., G; Katelyn Cable, sr., F; Reanna Byers, jr., G; Carlee Lashaway, jr., G
8. NORTH STAR CHARTER
Last season: 1-13
Coach: Claire Bonnet, first season
Players to watch: Chloe Ballhagen, sr., G/F; Parker Hammett, fr., G; Kaya Scott, so., G
1A DIVISION I WIC
1. LIBERTY CHARTER
Last season: 15-8, 9-0 1ADI WIC
Coach: Brad McCain, 10th season
Players to watch: Jennabelle Reece, jr., G; Aspen Davis, sr., G; Sophie Criddle, so, G/F
2. RIMROCK
Last season: 15-9, 8-1 1ADI WIC
Coach: Kyla Jewett, sixth season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey
3. GREENLEAF
Last season: 17-6, 7-2 1ADI WIC
Coach: Jim Bittick, third season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey
4. VICTORY CHARTER
Last season: 9-9, 4-5 1ADI WIC
Coach: Mandy Frank, fourth season
Players to watch: Kaelle Steele, sr., G; Camille Royer, sr., P; Keanna Gibbs, jr., G
5. NOTUS
Last season: 8-11, 5-4 1ADI WIC
Coach: Brad Huter, 14th season
Players to watch: Paige Emly, sr., G; Nayeli Vargas, sr., W; Lesley Martinez, sr., G
6. WILDER
Last season: 12-11, 5-4 1ADI WIC
Coach: Juan Arias, sixth season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey
7. IDAHO CITY
Last season: 7-9, 4-5 1ADI WIC
Coach: Tim Brown, first season
Players to watch: Kaya Brown, sr., G/F; Makayla Barber, jr., P; Selena Exxon, sr., G/F
8. RIVERSTONE
Last season: 1-16, 0-9 1ADI WIC
Coach: Tyler Ashley, first season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey
9. CENTENNIAL BAPTIST
Last season: 0-0
Coach: Jason Oostra, first season
Players to watch: Kayla Hinder Landis, sr., G; Katie Oostra, so., F; Daisy Schleicher, jr., C; Ava Jacquez, sr., G
10. VISION CHARTER
Last season: 6-16, 2-7 1ADI WIC
Coach: Billy Lamitina, second season
Players to watch: Shaely Voller, jr., G; Raelynn Nickel, so., G; McKenzie Patton, sr., P; Arilyn Phillips, sr., G
11. GEM STATE
Last season: 3-13, 1-8 1ADI WIC
Coach: Dale Maine, second season
Players to watch: Holly Kirschbaum, so, SG; Ava Miler, fr., F; Audrey Uniat, fr., G; Ashton Decker, fr., C
1A DIVISION II LONG PIN
1. COUNCIL
Last season: 17-5, 7-0 1ADII Long Pin
Coach: Paula Tucker, third season
Players to watch: Hope Zollman, sr., G/W; Rhianna Iveson, sr., PG; Ava Eppich, jr. W/P
2. TRI-VALLEY
Last season: 8-10, 5-2 1ADII Long Pin
Coach: Dennis Holmes, first season
Players to watch: McKayla Hart, sr., C; Emma Barton, jr., PG; Stella Warren, jr., SG; Porter Hart, so., F
3. SALMON RIVER
Last season: 5-11, 1-7 1ADII Long Pin
Coach: Levi Tucker, third season
Players to watch: Riley Walters, so., G; Rainey Walters, sr., G; Taylor Ewing, fr., G; Audrey Tucker, fr., G
4. GARDEN VALLEY
Last season: 10-9, 5-3 1ADII Long Pin
Coach: Joel LaFleur, first season
Players to watch: Kadence Jacobs, sr., G; Gertie Fuhriman, sr., G; Aubree Zimmer, jr., F; Lacey Tucker, so., F
5. HORSESHOE BEND
Last season: 0-0
Coach: Kenny Beckman, first season
Players to watch: Abby Howerton, sr., P; Kaylin Penney, sr., P; Ashlyn Wolsleben, jr., W
6. CASCADE
Last season: 9-16, 1-7 1ADII Long Pin
Coach: Steve Yamamoto, eighth season
Players to watch: Kallyn Rogers, sr., PG; Lily Gerzine, so., G; Lacy Mack, sr., G
This story was originally published November 16, 2023 at 12:28 PM.
