Girls basketball preview: Meet Southwest Idaho’s top small-school squads, players
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
FRUITLAND: The reigning 4A SRV district champions return three starters from their state-qualifying team and get a key transfer from Parma, last year’s 3A state champ. Although the Grizzlies will need to replace the production of Aleksi Drollinger (14.6 ppg, 3.6 assists, 5.2 steals), last year’s conference player of the year, they can lean on returners Kennedy Fitch (7 ppg, 6 reb), Payson Bratcher (9 ppg, 3 reb), Jordynn Bake (4 ppg, 3 reb) and transfer Mollie Calkins. “We are going to be quick and athletic, which allows us to play an exciting brand of basketball,” Fruitland coach Willie Lake said.
WEISER: The Wolverines tied for second in the 4A SRV standings last season and came just short of a state berth after losing in the play-in game to eventual third-place finisher Timberlake. Weiser returns four starters from a team that averaged a league-best 52.9 points per game while allowing just 34.2. Senior Ellie Shirts will be a force after averaging 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 steals per game for first-team all-conference honors. Evie Dolton (5.6 ppg, 7.7 reb) earned honorable-mention recognition, and senior Porter Hart is expected to be an impact player in her first season with Weiser. “Our team is very tough and gritty,” Weiser coach Laraine Harrison said. “We play tough defense and look to get easy transition points out of our press.”
NEW PLYMOUTH: A near-unanimous pick to win the 3A WIC in a preseason poll of the league’s coaches, the Pilgrims return all five starters from a team that took home the consolation trophy at last year’s state tournament. Leading the way is senior Maycee Christensen, a 3A All-Idaho second-team player who averaged 11.2 points, 2.3 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. Christensen is joined by fellow returning starters Hope Hailey, Kadence Withers, Emery Frates and Paisley Pearson. “We have a high basketball IQ,” New Plymouth coach Tara Lake said. “Our biggest strength is our off-ball movement. We will get out and run the floor as much as possible.”
LIBERTY CHARTER: The reigning 2A WIC district tournament champion welcomes back three starters from a team that qualified for state for the 11th straight season. Senior Sophie Criddle (second team all-conference), and junior Aveyah Flores (honorable mention) provide experienced scoring threats, while senior Kyla Stimpson and junior Addison McCain each look to have breakout seasons after injuries set them back in 2024-25. “(We have) a lot of younger, dynamic and athletic girls on the team who like to go a 100 mph,” Liberty Charter coach Brad McCain said. “We will increase the pace of play to suit this standard.”
WILDER: The Wildcats are coming off a breakout season in which they qualified for the state tournament for the first time since 1976 and limited opponents to a 2A-leading 28.7 points per game. While only two starters are back, both are major impact players. Senior Nancy Ramirez (9.6 ppg, 4.2 assists) earned first-team all-conference honors, and senior Natalie Escutia (10.1 ppg, 7.2 rebounds) was a second-team pick. Reigning league coach of the year Juan Arias cites speed and the Wildcats’ transition game as key strengths.
SALMON RIVER: The Savages hoisted the 1A Long Pin district tournament championship last season and advanced to the third-place game at state. Four starters return, led by senior guard Riley Walters, who was voted to the 1A All-Idaho first team after averaging 20.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 6.0 steals, 3.3 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. Junior Taylor Ewing (11.9 ppg, 4.2 assists, 3.4 steals) landed on the All-Idaho second team, sophomore Kennedy Wilson was a second-team all-conference selection, and junior Audrey Tucker received honorable mention recognition. Salmon River coach Levi Tucker says his team will be speedy and look to play at a fast pace.
TEAM CAPSULES
Teams are listed in order of their predicted finish from the preseason coaches’ polls.
4A SRV
1. FRUITLAND
Last season: 13-11, 8-2 4A SRV
Coach: Willie Lake, fourth season
Players to watch: Kennedy Fitch, so., F; Payson Bratcher, so., G; Jordynn Bake, so., F; Mollie Calkins, jr., G
2. MCCALL-DONNELLY
Last season: 15-12, 7-3 4A SRV
Coach: Hunter Onthank, first season
Players to watch: Izzy Tinney, sr., G; Emma Ormsby, sr., C; Katie Esplin, sr., F; Tatum Topliff, sr., G
T-3. COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN
Last season: 13-12, 6-4 4A SRV
Coach: Matt Beglinger, sixth season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
T-3. WEISER
Last season: 16-6, 7-3 4A SRV
Coach: Laraine Harrison, sixth season
Players to watch: Ellie Shirts, sr., G/F; Evie Dolton, sr., F; Porter Hart, sr., F; Aylvia Goff, sr., G
5. PAYETTE
Last season: 4-18, 0-10 4A SRV
Coach: Mike Boudreau, 10th season
Players to watch: Sianna Gable, sr., G; Jil Gaida, sr., G; Haylo Collingwood, jr., W; Emmie Atkins, jr., P
6. HOMEDALE
Last season: 7-15, 2-8 4A SRV
Coach: Benji Sorenson, fourth season
Players to watch: Tiana Sorenson, sr., P; Belen Asumendi, sr., G; Stella Heck, sr., PG; Stephanie Quezada, sr., G
3A WIC
1. NEW PLYMOUTH
Last season: 20-8, 6-4 3A WIC
Coach: Tara Lake, third season
Players to watch: Hope Hailey, sr., PG; Maci Christensen, sr., SG/SF; Kadence Withers, sr., PG/SF; Emery Frates, sr., SG
2. MELBA
Last season: 19-6, 8-2 3A WIC
Coach: Dennis Lenz, second season
Players to watch: Darby Lowber, sr., F; Mack Rose, jr., G; Janey Cole, so., G; Ellie Crimbchin, sr., F
3. PARMA
Last season: 23-2, 10-0 3A WIC
Coach: Adyson Shaw, first season
Players to watch: Aarey Harris, sr., G/F/P; Gwen Shaw, fr., PG; Tara Johnson, jr., C; Ava Shaw, sr., SG
4. AMBROSE
Last season: 9-13, 3-7 3A WIC
Coach: Kirk Crager, first season
Players to watch: Annalise Curran, jr., PG; Amelia Alexander, so., G; Ella McNicholas, jr., G; Bryley Tadman, so., G
5. MARSING
Last season: 11-13, 3-7 3A WIC
Coach: Jake Dugger, second season
Players to watch: Adyson Chadez, sr., G; Josie Showalter, sr., P; Bailey Daugherty, sr., P 6. NAMPA CHRISTIAN
Last season: 3-17, 0-10 3A WIC
Coach: Phillip Bracero, first season
Players to watch: Ellie Kroes, so., G; Taylor Davy, sr., G; Kate Kollman, jr., F; Anya Den Hartog, jr., G
2A WIC
1. LIBERTY CHARTER
Last season: 17-7, 10-1 2A WIC
Coach: Brad McCain, 12th season
Players to watch: Kyla Stimpson, sr., P; Aveyah Flores, jr., G; Sophie Criddle, sr., P/W; Addison McCain, jr., PG
2. WILDER
Last season: 18-5, 11-0 2A WIC
Coach: Juan Arias, eighth season
Players to watch: Nancy Ramirez, sr., PG; Natalie Escutia, sr., G/F; Nykkee Bahena, so., G/F
3. COMPASS CHARTER
Last season: 16-8, 8-3 2A WIC
Coach: Tyrone Kerby, second season
Players to watch: Sophia Deasy, so., G; Izabella Brizendine, sr., G; Elyssa Lorentz, sr., P; Lydia Brasher, so., PG
4. RIMROCK
Last season: 8-12, 7-4 2A WIC
Coach: Kyla Jewett, seventh season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
5. VISION CHARTER
Last season: 11-11, 8-3 2A WIC
Coach: Billy Lamitina, fourth season
Players to watch: Raelynn Nickel, sr., PG; Aubrie Parrish, jr., P; Abby Porterfield, jr., P; Angel Gutierrez, jr., G
T-6. COUNCIL
Last season: 13-9 (independent)
Coach: Paula Tucker, fifth season
Players to watch: Eliza Bingham, sr., PG/W; Kassidy Iveson, jr., PG/W; Lilly Veselka, fr., P
T-6. VICTORY CHARTER
Last season: 10-12, 6-5 2A WIC
Coach: Sally Ray, second season
Players to watch: Mikayla Zink, sr., F; Leah Ray, so., SG
8. CENTENNIAL BAPTIST
Last season: 6-12, 4-7 2A WIC
Coach: Jason Oostra, third season
Players to watch: Katie Oostra, sr., C; Naiomi Hayek, so., G; Annah Hayck, sr., G
9. IDAHO CITY
Last season: 6-13, 4-7 2A WIC
Coach: Taylor Barnhill, second season
Did not respond to Statesman’s preseason survey.
10. RIVERSTONE
Last season: 5-9, 4-7 2A WIC
Coach: Scott Baer, second season
Players to watch: Vera Brooks, jr., W
11. NOTUS
Last season: 3-16, 2-9 2A WIC
Coach: Kristin David, first season
Players to watch: Libni Vargas, so., W/P; Maleah Waldermeyer, fr., W/P; Fatima Alvarez, so., G
12. GEM STATE
Last season: 2-11, 2-9 2A WIC
Coach: Jon Miler, first season
Did not respond to Statesman’s preseason survey.
13. NORTH STAR CHARTER
Last season: 3-15, 0-11 2A WIC
Coach: Marina Miller, first season
Players to watch: Josie Bennett, sr., G; Hazyl Poole, jr., C; Willa Hammons, so., F
14. TREASURE VALLEY CLASSICAL ACADEMY
Last season: New program
Coach: Tony Cade, first season
Players to watch: Trinity Voss, sr., PG/SF; Ella Burke, sr., SG; Aryanna Winters, so., PF/C; Mati Burke, sr., PG/SG
1A LONG PIN
1. SALMON RIVER
Last season: 17-8, 8-2 1A Long Pin
Coach: Levi Tucker, fifth season
Players to watch: Riley Walters, sr., G; Taylor Ewing, jr., G; Kennedy Wilson, so., G; Audrey Tucker, jr., G
2. GARDEN VALLEY
Last season: 13-11, 5-5 1A Long Pin
Coach: Joel LaFleur, third season
Players to watch: Hailey Hove, so., G; Holley Hove, so., G; Liliana LaFleur, so., F; Quinn Good, jr., P
3. CASCADE
Last season: 11-12, 5-5 1A Long Pin
Coach: Linzie Green, second season
Players to watch: Addie Hull, so., P; Nova Guest, jr., P; Lauren Davis, fr., PG; Lilah Olson, so., SG
4. TRI-VALLEY
Last season: 18-6, 10-0 1A Long Pin
Coach: Bryan Steed, second season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
5. HORSESHOE BEND
Last season: 4-16, 2-8 1A Long Pin
Coach: Kenny Beckman, third season
Players to watch: Kimber Jones, jr., PG/W; Addy Asher, jr., P; Harper Kennedy, fr., G
6. GREENLEAF FRIENDS
Last season: 2-20, 0-10 1A Long Pin
Coach: Ashley Rule, second season
Players to watch: Sara Browne, sr., PG; Stephanie Swindlehurst, fr., P; Maddy Rand, so., SG; Kinzley Schmillen, fr., PF
