Top prep girls basketball players to watch this winter. See who made the Boise-area list
As the 2024-25 high school girls basketball season gets underway, the Treasure Valley is bursting with talent.
The Idaho Statesman surveyed the region’s 6A to 1A coaches to see which players are keeping them up at night. These were the most frequently mentioned names.
Riley Beck, Owyhee
On a stacked Storm roster, the senior wing/post averaged 10.2 points per game last season and ranked second on the team in rebounding. Beck will be a four-year starter and was an all-conference honorable mention selection a year ago. She holds offers from Northwest Nazarene and Black Hills State. “Riley is a Swiss army knife. She is quick, a great rebounder, and causes a major problem in transition,” Eagle coach Jeremy Munroe said.
Josie Davis, Owyhee
A second-team all-conference pick last season, the senior guard begins her fourth season on varsity for the 6A SIC preseason favorites. Davis has offers to play at the next level for Cal State Northridge and Fort Lewis College. She led the Storm in assists last season and is known as a top on-ball defender. “Josie is an experienced guard with impressive speed. She does a nice job of getting to the rim and causing havoc on defense,” Boise coach Kim Brydges said.
Kya Davis, Borah
She started every game for the Lions last season as a freshman, earning all-conference honorable mention recognition. Davis averaged 15 points per game and is expected to be among Borah’s top rebounders this season while playing guard. “I think she had a phenomenal freshman year and looked like their leader already. Helped Borah take big steps forward last season. I only expect her to continue to improve,” Capital coach Matthew Creech said.
McKenna Durrant, Ridgevue
Although the Warhawks move up a classification, their senior forward should make a big impact in league play as a reigning first-team pick in the 4A SIC a year ago. Durrant led Ridgevue in double-doubles last season and averaged 8.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game. “McKenna is a warrior. She battles on both ends of the floor and is not willing to give an inch to anyone,” Ridgevue coach John Walker said.
Kaity Haan, Boise
An injury kept the 6-foot guard/forward off the court for the final month of the regular-season last year, but she returned in time for the Brave’s postseason run. Haan begins her fourth varsity season after averaging 9.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals while shooting 51% from the floor. “Kaity has a great combination of ability and intensity. She will be a force on both ends,” Timberline coach Andy Jones said.
Jada Ojukwu, Capital
An All-Idaho second-team selection last season for Centennial, the Eagles pick up the senior forward after she moved into their boundaries this season. Ojukwu has committed to play basketball at Northern Arizona University. She contributed 17.5 points, 9 rebounds and 4.5 assists last season. “Jada is relentless on both ends. Not much she can’t do on a basketball court,” Timberline coach Andy Jones said.
Avery Patricco, Boise
The Pomona Pitzer signee will be a four-year lettermen for the Brave, who finished third at state last season. Patricco landed on the all–conference second team a year ago, averaging 7.7 points, 1.9 assists and 1.7 steals while shooting 39% from the floor, including 33% from 3-point range. “Scoring guard who just has a really good overall feel for the game,” Mountain View coach Derek Pegram said.
Logan Sailors, Rocky Mountain
She led the Grizzlies in scoring last season at 11.6 points per game to go with 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.2 assists per game, receiving second-team all-conference recognition. With offers to play at the next level, the senior guard will put pressure on opposing teams with her speed and uptempo play. “She is a great player with a high motor. She is a great shooter and can stretch the defense,” Eagle coach Jeremy Munroe said.
Sarah Walker, Kuna
Experience sets the senior point guard apart, as she enters her fourth season on varsity. Walker recorded 10.9 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists per game. She holds offers from College of Southern Idaho, Seattle Pacific and Sonoma State. “Sarah has been Kuna’s most talented player for a couple of years now. She’s the best thing they have going, offensively, and if they can find a couple other scoring threats, her impact will be even greater,” Boise coach Kim Brydges said.
Addy Bayne, Columbia
The 6-foot-3 senior post averaged a double-double of 10.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game last season while contributing 3.7 blocks. Those stats led to a first-team all-conference selection as the Wildcats advanced to the 4A state tournament. “Great post player and defender. Inside game is really smooth and can score with both hands,” Skyview coach Joe Betancourt said.
Zoey Blackwell, Middleton
The reigning 5A SIC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team all-conference pick led Middleton to a state tournament appearance last season as a sophomore. Expect the junior guard to reach a new level in 2024-25. Blackwell averaged a team-leading 13.5 points per game along with 5.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 3.9 steals per game. “Dynamic guard, crafty, good shooter and ballhandler,” Columbia coach Neal Robertson said.
Tamar Callender, Caldwell
The senior guard/forward will play a key role for the Cougars again this season after landing on the all-conference second team a year ago. Caldwell coach Emilie Eckhart says Callender is a natural leader who communicates well on the court. “She plays with grit and determination,” Middleton coach Marianne Blackwell said.
Natalie Goslin, Emmett
Goslin begins her senior season as a three-year starter after being voted to the all-conference first team last season. The 5-foot-10 forward averaged 15 points and 9 rebounds per game, putting pressure on opposing teams with her ability to get to the free-throw line. “Can play both ends of the floor. Capable of scoring double digits on any given night,” Skyview coach Joe Betancourt said.
Aleksi Drollinger, Fruitland
The senior guard averaged 28 minutes per game last season for the state-qualifying Grizzlies. Drollinger recorded 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.3 steals per game, earning a place on the all-conference first team. “Strong athlete who is hard to keep in front of the defender. She can get to the rim and hit the three,” Cole Valley Christian coach Matt Beglinger said.
Kailee Lerew, Weiser
Weiser coach Laraine Harrison said Lerew is a critical part of the Wolverines’ defensive game plan, highlighted by her 6.0 steals per game last season. The senior guard is a returning all-conference first-team selection who averaged 10.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4 assists per game. “Very crafty point guard who works incredibly hard and is tough to guard. She is also pesky on defense,” McCall-Donnelly coach Lexi Onthank said.
Izzy Tinney, McCall-Donnelly
She’s been a starter for the Vandals the past two seasons, including picking up first-team all-conference honors last season after recording 12 points per game while shooting 51% from the floor and 38% from 3-point range. “Skilled with the ball in her hands. Very difficult to rattle,” Fruitland coach Willie Lake said.
Rylie Calkins, Parma
The reigning co-player of the year in the 3A SRV and All-Idaho second teamer scored her 1,000th career point last season as the Panthers advanced to state for the eighth year in a row. Calkins contributed 16.7 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 3.2 blocks per game. “Rylie is a great shooter and crafty with the ball. She knows the game and makes her teammates better,” Melba coach Dennis Lenz said.
Tariah Carter, Melba
The Mustangs brought home the consolation trophy last season as the do-it-all forward averaged 13.5 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.3 blocks per game and landed on the all-conference first team. “Tariah is hands down the best athlete in the conference, and she has the ability to dominate this year. There is no one in the conference that can match her size and athleticism,” Ambrose coach Kelly Barbour said.
Jennabelle Reece, Liberty Charter
The reigning 1A Division I Western Idaho Conference Player of the Year is entering her fourth season on varsity. The Patriots advanced to state for the 10th straight year in 2024, with Reece collecting 9.9 points, 4.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. “Her athleticism and size are pretty intimidating to a lot of other schools, and she can get out and run a fast break as good as anybody in the 2A’s in Idaho,” Compass Charter coach Tyrone Kerby said.
Rylee Walters, Salmon River
A returning 1A Division II All-Idaho second-team honoree, Walters averaged 17.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game for the state-qualifying Savages. She also was voted to the all-conference first team. “She is going to be a force this year. She is a great all-around player that sees the court very well and can be a scorer pretty much whenever she wants,” Horseshoe Bend coach Kenny Beckman said.
Stella Warren, Tri-Valley
Warren is the top returner for the Titans following all-conference first-team recognition last season. The senior guard plays uptempo and challenges defenses with her sharp shooting. “She is a very high-intensity player that makes her presence felt on transition offense and defense,” Horseshoe Bend coach Kenny Beckman said.
