5A SIC girls basketball preview: Predicting the favorites, contenders and challengers
Bishop Kelly has topped the conference standings the past two seasons, but 5A Southern Idaho Conference coaches are predicting a changing of the guard in girls basketball in 2024-25.
Middleton, which drops down from the state’s largest classification, is the preseason favorite. The Vikings won back-to-back district championships in 2021 and ‘22 before moving up.
The Idaho Statesman examined each team, their top players and their chances as the season begins. Teams are listed in their order of finish in the preseason poll.
1. MIDDLETON
Last season: 20-6, 10-1 5A SIC
Coach: Marianne Blackwell, second season
Players to watch: Zoey Blackwell, jr., G; Elsie Wyatt, sr., G; Miley Steele, jr., F; Olivia Blackwell, so, G
Outlook: The Vikings held their own in the state’s largest classification last season, finishing second in the standings during the regular season and earning a trip to the state tournament.
Now they drop down a level and are heavy favorites to claim the district title, receiving seven of a possible eight first-place votes in a preseason coaches’ poll.
Zoey Blackwell is the reigning 5A SIC Defensive Player of the Year, and Wyatt received all-conference honorable mention recognition. They are joined by fellow returning starters Steele and Olivia Blackwell.
2. BISHOP KELLY
Last season: 20-5, 11-1 4A SIC
Coach: Derek McCormick, 17th season
Players to watch: Brooke Hutchinson, sr., G; Mary Behrend, sr., G/F; Abby Swan, sr., F;
Outlook: The Knights have won back-to-back district championships, and expectations remain high. But they’ll be chasing those expectations with a largely new roster that includes eight first-year varsity players.
Hutchinson is BK’s only returning starter, earning all-conference honorable mention recognition a year ago as the Knights locked up the consolation trophy at the state tournament.
Defense is always a strong suit for the Knights, and McCormick says his team also has great chemistry.
3. COLUMBIA
Last season: 13-14, 8-4 4A SIC
Coach: Neal Robertson, seventh season
Players to watch: Addy Bayne, sr., F; Yani Lincoln, jr., G; Gabby Nabors, Jr., G;
Outlook: The Wildcats have made it to state the past three seasons and are looking to make it four straight in 2024-25.
Two starters are back, highlighted by the 6-foot-2 Bayne, who averaged 10.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per game to earn first-team all-conference honors.
Robertson says Columbia will have tough perimeter defense and move the ball well offensively.
4. EMMETT
Last season: 11-14, 6-6 4A SIC
Coach: Mark Priano, third season
Players to watch: Natalie Goslin, sr., F; Erin Hadley, sr., G; Ryllie Smith, jr., G
Outlook: The Huskies will feature one of the conference’s more experienced rosters, with seven returning letter winners, including four starters.
Goslin was an all-conference first-team pick last season, averaging 15 points and nine rebounds per game, while Hadley and Smith were both honorable mention selections.
Priano says Emmett will be strong defensively as it looks to build on its offensive consistency.
5. SKYVIEW
Last season: 7-13, 5-7 4A SIC
Coach: Joe Betancourt, second season
Players to watch: Kaylee Brown, jr., C; Reese Michaelson, jr., G; Emma Flake, sr., F; Laynee Colwell, sr., G
Outlook: With one season under their belts in Betancourt’s system, the Hawks look to make strides in 2024-25.
Three starters will help lead that charge spearheaded by Brown, Skyview’s only returning all-conference player from a year ago who led the team in points and rebounds per game.
The Hawks allowed the second-most points in the conference last season (48.1 ppg), but Betancourt anticipates defense will be a strength this year.
T-6. CALDWELL
Last season: 6-16, 2-10 4A SIC
Coach: Emilie Eckhart, first season
Players to watch: Tamar Callender, sr., G/F; Payton Garcia, sr., C
Outlook: The Cougars begin a new era under Eckhart, who will have two returning starters to help build a solid foundation.
Callender is a second-team all-conference pick and the Cougars’ undisputed court leader. “Tamar is the type of player every team wants because she will always give 110% effort,” Eckhart said.
Eckhart says Caldwell will play uptempo and take advantage of its transition game.
T-6. VALLIVUE
Last season: 3-15, 0-12 4A SIC
Coach: Sean Upson, second season
Players to watch: Gracie Mower, jr., PF; Arriana Cervantez, sr., G; Jillian Kiester, so., G; Josslyn Rhoton, jr., F
Outlook: The Falcons struggled in league play last season, failing to win a conference game and allowing a league-high 52.2 points per game. Those trends could be on the way out, though.
Vallivue returns three starters in its second year under Upson. Mower averaged 5.6 points and 4.5 rebounds per game and joins Kiester and Rhoton as returning starters.
Upton anticipates the Falcons will be strong on pressure defense and run the floor well.
8. NAMPA
Last season: 0-14 independent
Coach: Erica Weissenbuehler, fourth season
Players to watch: Hailee Karpowitz, jr., P; Aleksa Zavala, sr., G; Giada Armbrust, sr., G
Outlook: The Bulldogs played an independent schedule last season and did not compete for a conference championship, but they’re back in contention in 2024-25 after dropping a classification.
Karpowitz is the only returning starter, while Zavala is coming back from her second ACL injury and won’t be available until December.
Weissenbuehler says that although her team is young, the Bulldogs are hard workers.
This story was originally published November 18, 2024 at 4:00 AM.
