Girls basketball preview: Picking the top small-school teams in Southwest Idaho
The Treasure Valley’s largest schools often draw most of the headlines. But those schools don’t hold a monopoly on the region’s talent and state title contenders.
We surveyed all of the girls basketball coaches in Southwest Idaho’s 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A leagues, asking them for the teams to beat and players to watch.
Here’s what they had to say.
TEAMS TO WATCH
MCCALL-DONNELLY: The Vandals fell one point short of their second state tournament appearance in the past 30 years last season. But they return four starters and received four of six first-place votes in the 4A SRV’s preseason coaches’ poll. Junior point guard Izzy Tinney (12 ppg) returns to run the show after first-team all-conference honors last year, and 6-3 junior post Emma Ormsby (9 rebounds, 2 blocks per game) will lock down the paint. The triplets of Shilah, Lexie and Rylee Arnold also return, giving McCall loads of versatile options in their up-tempo offense.
WEISER: The Wolverines stand ready as the top challengers in the 4A SRV with four returning starters of their own. That crew includes senior guard Kailee Lerew, the team’s leading scorer (10.8 ppg) and a terror on defense (6.3 steals per game). Ellie Shirts (9.6 ppg), Hailey Eames (6.6 ppg) and Evie Dolton (5.7 ppg) give Weiser plenty of scoring options. All that returning talent from an 18-win team ought to create another high-pressure, hard-nosed defense, Weiser coach Laraine Harrison said.
PARMA: The Panthers built one of the state’s most consistent programs in the SRV, qualifying for state eight years in a row and winning six district championships in that stretch. But Idaho’s new classification rules moved Parma down to the new 3A WIC, where it starts as the preseason favorite. Senior guard Rylie Calkins (16.7 ppg, 7.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists) headlines four returning starters as a two-time, second-team All-Idaho selection in a higher division. Parma also receives reinforcement with the return of Kaidance Kaiser, who averaged 9.3 points and 4.1 steals through six games before a season-ending knee injury.
MELBA: Don’t just expect Parma to steamroll lower competition, though. The 3A WIC remains one of the state’s toughest leagues, and the reigning state consolation champ always has a say in the district race. Former assistant coach Dennis Lenz inherits the Mustangs from his brother, David. The graduation of 2A All-Idaho Player of the Year Brooklyn Dayley leaves a hole. But Melba still brings back three starters, all of whom earned all-conference honors last year. Idaho State commit Tariah Carter (13.8 ppg, 9.1 rebounds, 2.0 blocks) remains a force in the paint who opponents must game plan around, and Ellie Johnson (10.7 ppg) set a program record with 81 3-pointers last season.
LIBERTY CHARTER: An offseason knee injury to sophomore guard Addie McCain threw a wrench in the Patriots’ plans. But Liberty Charter still starts as the overwhelming favorite in the 2A WIC, receiving 9-of-10 first-place votes in the preseason coaches’ poll. Reigning conference player of the year Jennabelle Reece (9.9 ppg, 4.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals) gives the Patriots plenty of talent to contend for an 11th straight trip to state. Look for sophomore guard Aveyah Flores and junior post Kyla Stimpson to step into key roles on both sides of the floor.
SALMON RIVER: With three-time defending district champ Council moving up to 2A, Salmon River stands poised to fill the power vacuum, finishing atop four of five ballots in the Long Pin’s preseason coaches’ poll. Junior guard Riley Waters (17.7 ppg, 7.3 rebounds, 3.3 steals) tops the list of four returning starters after second-team all-state honors last season. She’ll team with sophomore guard Taylor Ewing (7.8 ppg, 2.7 assists) to form a potent one-two punch. But Salmon River coach Levi Tucker said his team’s true weapon is its unselfish play.
TEAM CAPSULES
Teams are listed in order of their predicted finish from the preseason coaches’ polls.
4A SRV
1. MCCALL-DONNELLY
Last season: 13-9, 7-3 3A SRV
Coach: Lexi Onthank, second season
Players to watch: Izzy Tinney, jr., PG; Emma Ormsby, jr., P; Shilah Arnold, sr., G; Lexie Arnold, sr., G; Rylee Arnold, sr., G
2. WEISER
Last season: 18-7, 6-4 3A SRV
Coach: Laraine Harrison, fifth season
Players to watch: Kailee Lerew, sr., G; Ellie Shirts, jr., G; Evie Dolton, jr., F; Hailey Eames, sr., F
3. FRUITLAND
Last season: 13-11, 8-2 3A SRV
Coach: Willie Lake, third season
Players to watch: Aleksi Drollinger, sr., PG; Alicia Kreigh, sr., SG; Nyah Tubbs, sr., F; Jenna Jenks, sr., F
4. COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN
Last season: 19-7, 9-1 2A WIC
Coach: Matt Beglinger, fifth season
Players to watch: Maren Brushey, jr., F; Autumn Burgeson, sr., F; Amelia Anstrand, sr., SG; Vienna Westhuis, jr., G/F
5. HOMEDALE
Last season: 6-16, 2-8 3A SRV
Coach: Benji Sorenson, third season
Players to watch: Tiana Sorenson, jr., P; Belen Asumendi, jr., W; Stella Heck, jr., PG; Stephanie Quezada, jr., W
6. PAYETTE
Last season: 2-21, 0-10 3A SRV
Coach: Mike Boudreau, second season
Players to watch: Erin-Marie Auxier, sr., G; Bella Nunez, sr., PG; Sianna Gable, jr., G
3A WIC
1. PARMA
Last season: 19-8, 7-3 3A SRV
Coach: Michael Calkins, 13th season
Players to watch: Rylie Calkins, sr., G; Kaidance Kaiser, sr., PG; Haylee Gentry, sr., W; Aarey Harris, jr., W
2. MELBA
Last season: 18-7, 9-1 2A WIC
Coach: Dennis Lenz, first season
Players to watch: Tariah Carter, sr., F; Ellie Johnson, jr., G; Darby Lowber, jr., F
3. NEW PLYMOUTH
Last season: 9-14, 5-5 2A WIC
Coach: Tara Lake, second season
Players to watch: Hope Hailey, jr., PG; Laci Eagy, sr., SF; Sam Withers, sr., SF
4. NAMPA CHRISTIAN
Last season: 6-17, 3-7 2A WIC
Coach: Randy Brothers, third season
Players to watch: Taylor Davy, jr., G; Kate Jensen, so., F; Halle Kren, jr., P
5. MARSING
Last season: 6-14, 1-9 2A WIC
Coach: Jake Dugger, first season
Players to watch: Adyson Chadez, jr., G; RayLynn Vanosdal, sr., G; Bailey Daugherty, jr., P; Josie Showalter, jr., P
6. AMBROSE
Last season: 8-15, 3-7 2A WIC
Coach: Kelly Barbour, fifth season
Players to watch: Cali Tadman, so., PG; Sarina Scheibout, so., F; Ella McNicholas, so., G
2A WIC
1. LIBERTY CHARTER
Last season: 13-7, 9-0 1ADI WIC
Coach: Brad McCain, 11th season
Players to watch: Jennabelle Reece, sr., G; Aveyah Flores, so., G; Kyla Stimpson, jr., P
2. WILDER
Last season: 11-12, 5-4 1ADI WIC
Coach: Juan Arias, seventh season
Players to watch: Kenia Morales, sr., F; Nancy Ramirez, jr., PG; Abby Scott, sr., F
T-3. RIMROCK
Last season: 14-9, 8-1 1ADI WIC
Coach: Kyla Jewett, sixth season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
T-3. COUNCIL
Last season: 13-7, 8-1 1ADII Long Pin
Coach: Paula Tucker, fourth season
Players to watch: Ava Eppich, sr., W; Kassidy Iveson, so., G; Eliza Bingham, jr., G
Note: Council will compete as an independent program during the regular season before joining the district tournament as the No. 13 seed.
5. IDAHO CITY
Last season: 7-12, 2-7 1ADI WIC
Coach: Taylor Barnhill, first season
Players to watch: Makayla Barber, sr., G; Taylor Vigeant, so., G; Hadley Higgins, so., G
6. NOTUS
Last season: 13-7, 7-2 1ADI WIC
Coach: Dennis J. Harting, first season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
7. COMPASS CHARTER
Last season: 6-11, 0-0 2A WIC
Coach: Tyrone Kerby, first season
Players to watch: Reanna Byers, sr., G; Carlee Lashaway, sr., P; Izabella Brizendine, so., F
8. VICTORY CHARTER
Last season: 5-12, 3-6 1ADI WIC
Coach: Sally Ray, first season
Players to watch: Mikayla Zink, jr., G; Keanna Gibbs, sr., G; Sarah Case, so., F; Libby Stockett, so., F
9. NORTH STAR CHARTER
Last season: 4-11, 0-0 2A WIC
Coach: Claire Bonnet, second season
Players to watch: Parker Hammett, so., PG; Josie Bennett, jr., G; Kaya Scott, jr., G
10. VISION CHARTER
Last season: 9-8, 5-4 1ADI WIC
Coach: Billy Lamitina, third season
Players to watch: Raelynn Nickel, jr., G; Angel Gutierrez, so., G; Lexi Anderson, so., G
T-11. GEM STATE
Last season: 0-11, 0-9 1ADI WIC
Coach: Mark Waterhouse, first season
Players to watch: Ava Milet, so., G; Ashton Decker, so., F; Cici Barajas, sr., G; Audrey Uniat, so., G
T-11. RIVERSTONE
Last season: 0-0, 0-0 1ADI WIC
Coach: Scott Baer, first season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
13. CENTENNIAL BAPTIST
Last season: 2-12, 1-8 1ADI WIC
Coach: Jason Oostra, second season
Players to watch: Daisy Schleicher, sr., F; Katie Oostra, jr., C; Leilani Malepeai, fr., G
1A LONG PIN
1. SALMON RIVER
Last season: 19-8, 7-3 1ADII Long Pin
Coach: Levi Tucker, fourth season
Players to watch: Rylee Walters, jr., G; Taylor Ewing, so., G; Raydin Hayes, so., P; Audrey Tucker, so., G
2. TRI-VALLEY
Last season: 14-6, 6-3 1ADII Long Pin
Coach: Bryan Steed, first season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
3. GARDEN VALLEY
Last season: 13-10, 5-5 1ADII Long Pin
Coach: Joel LaFleur, second season
Players to watch: Gabby Gillette, sr., F; Emma Davis, sr., F; Hailey Hove, fr., G; Holley Hove, fr., G
4. CASCADE
Last season: 5-15, 2-7 1ADII Long Pin
Coach: Linzie Green, first season
Players to watch: Kielee Mack, sr., G; Claire Pierce, sr., F; Nova Guest, so., F
5. HORSESHOE BEND
Last season: 3-13, 0-9 1ADII Long Pin
Coach: Kenny Beckman, second season
Players to watch: Ashlyn Wolsleben, sr., G; Kimber Jones, so., PG; Kinzee Ranft, jr., G
6. GREENLEAF
Last season: 8-10, 5-4 1ADI WIC
Coach: Ashley Rule, first season
Players to watch: Sara Browne, jr., PG; Lauren Rule, jr., G; Sylvia Ovalle, so., PG; Kadeynce Cleaver, fr., P
