Southwest Idaho is loaded with talent: The top girls basketball players to watch
The 2025-26 Idaho high school girls basketball season began last week, and coaches around the Treasure Valley had their hands full from the get-go.
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, listed in alphabetical order by classification.
Zoey Blackwell, Middleton
The 5A SIC’s co-player of the year from last season moves up to the 6A classification this season after leading the Vikings to a state runner-up finish. Blackwell led 5A with 4.7 steals per game and added 12.9 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. “Zoey started as a great defender and penetrator,” Timberline coach Andy Jones said. “She is now an all-around player that can do it all.”
Mckenna Chavez, Capital
The four-sport standout who is committed to play softball for BYU is also a state shot put champion. Chavez posted 9 points and 7 rebounds per game last season to earn honorable-mention recognition in the 6A SIC. “Mckenna is the most athletic player I’ve ever coached,” Capital coach Matthew Creech said. “She does a little of everything for our team. She scores, she defends, she rebounds, she gets steals. She takes charges.”
Kya Davis, Borah
A returning 6A SIC first-team all-conference pick, Davis enters her junior year as one of the top impact players in the state. She averaged 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks last season to help the Lions bring home the state tournament consolation title. “Kya is a unique player that we don’t see often in our league,” Eagle coach Jeremy Munroe said. “She can play any position on the floor, she is high-level defender, and she is relentless.”
Trinity Holsinger, Eagle
She sat out last season following a transfer from Cole Valley Christian, where she helped the Chargers win the third-place trophy at state during the 2023-24 season. Holsinger contributed 15.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.5 steals per game. “Elite shooter who sees the floor well and is a scrappy defender,” Boise coach Seth Newville said.
Berkley Jones, Eagle
As one of just two players returning from the 6A All-Idaho first team, the junior forward will be a force. Jones averaged 16.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game last season and will likely put up even bigger numbers for the 6A SIC’s preseason favorite Eagle in 2025-26. “She’s a strong and dynamic athlete who can score from anywhere,” Kuna coach Katie Holmes said.
MK Puello, Meridian
A unique combination of size and skill led to a 6A SIC honorable-mention nod for Puello as a freshman. Now the 6-foot sophomore is poised for an even bigger season in 2025-26 as one of the Warriors’ best shooters and ball handlers. “Just a sophomore, she has a very high ceiling,” Timberline coach Andy Jones said. “Combination of size and athleticism will be tough to deal with.”
Emmi Swillie, Timberline
Swillie missed her junior season with an ACL injury, but she’s back on the court ready to show why she earned 6A SIC first-team honors as a sophomore. She averaged nearly a double-double with 14 points and 9 rebounds per game in 2023-24. “If she comes back anywhere close to what she was as a sophomore, then she will be back to being one of the best players in the state,” Capital coach Matthew Creech said. “Has great length and the ability to get any shot she wants.”
Bailey Robertson, Columbia
With the majority of last year’s 5A SIC all-conference first- and second-team honorees lost to graduation or moved up a classification, Robertson is poised for a big year despite being just a sophomore. She averaged 7.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game for second-team league honors a year ago. “Had a good freshman year, played a lot of minutes and improved all year long,” Skyview coach Joe Betancourt said.
Payson Bratcher, Fruitland
With the graduation of 4A SRV Player of the Year Aleksi Drollinger, the Grizzlies’ sophomore guard takes on an even bigger role in 2025-26. Bratcher averaged 9 points and 3 rebounds per game for state-qualifying Fruitland. “Payson is a very aggressive offensive and defensive player,” McCall-Donnelly coach Hunter Onthank said. “She is always seeking her shot on offense and constantly around the ball on defense.”
Sianna Gable, Payette
A returning 4A SRV first-team honoree, Gable led the Pirates in scoring last season while also serving as their top defender at any position. “She is another who has a great motor, and will play hard every minute she is on the court,” Homedale coach Benji Sorenson said. “If she gets hot, she is tough to stop.”
Ellie Shirts, Weiser
A reigning 4A SRV first-team all-conference selection, Shirts contributed 14.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 4.5 steals per game last season for the Wolverines. She’s a versatile player, capable of hoisting a 3 or competing inside at the post. “If she sees one go in, she can become a huge problem for the rest of the game,” Onthank said. “You always have to know where she is on defense, because if you lose her, she will make you pay.”
Tiana Sorenson, Homedale
Standing at 6-0, the senior is a threat to shoot the 3, drive it to the hoop or post up inside. Sorenson was a 4A SRV first-team pick, averaging 12.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game while shooting 33% from 3-point range. “She has a great mind for the game and will be one we look forward to trying to contain,” Payette coach Mike Boudreau said.
Izzy Tinney, McCall-Donnelly
The two-time 4A SRV all-conference first-team pick enters her fourth season as the Vandals’ starting point guard. Tinney averaged 9 points and 2 steals per game last season. “She controls the game so well and knows how to play to her teammates’ strengths,” Sorenson said. “And you better not leave her open, or she will make you pay.”
Maycee Christensen, New Plymouth
The Pilgrims took home the consolation trophy at the 3A state tournament last season behind Christensen, who averaged 11.2 points. 2.3 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. She was voted to the All-Idaho second team. “(She) stands out on film a lot,” Nampa Christian coach Phillip Bracero said. “She’s arguably the best shooter in the conference.”
Aarey Harris, Parma
The top returning player for the defending 3A state champion Panthers landed on the All-Idaho second team last season. Harris could average a double-double in 2025-26 after contributing 12.4 points, 8.7 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game last season. “She was the best player on their state championship team from last year,” Melba coach Dennis Lenz said. “She can play all five spots, but is especially good in the inside.”
Darby Lowber, Melba
Lowber earned 3A WIC all-conference first-team recognition after averaging 11.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game for last year’s third-place team at the 3A state tournament. She provides physicality on defense and is a bruiser on the boards. “Tough, great use of body to score,” New Plymouth coach Tara Lake said.
Sophia Deasy, Compass Charter
Deasy earned 2A WIC second-team honors last season as a freshman, posting 10.8 points, 4.7 steals and 2.1 assists per game. “Sophia has worked hard on her game during the offseason and has become a great shooter and explosive guard,” Compass Charter coach Tyrone Kerby said.
Raelynn Nickel, Vision Charter
She averaged nearly a double-double last season, but in an unexpected way. Nickel recorded 14 points and 9 steals per game to go with 3 assists and 3 steals for 2A WIC first-team honors. She enters her fourth season as a starter. “She is a tremendous athlete and has worked very hard in improving her skills,” Kerby said.
Taylor Ewing, Salmon River
A 1A Long Pin first-team pick and an All-Idaho second-team honoree, Ewing posted 11.9 points, 4.2 assists and 3.4 steals per game for the state-qualifying Savages. “She was an absolute beast in the state tournament this past year and has that clutch gene that some players are born with,” Garden Valley coach Joel LaFleur said. “Incredible motor and relentless pursuit of the basketball.”
Hailey Hove, Garden Valley
Hove was named a 1A Long Pin first-team pick as a freshman. She’s poised for even more this season after averaging 14 points and 5 steals per game for the Wolverines a year ago. “Hailey Hove is an absolutely electric guard with an unbelievable motor,” LaFleur said. “Fast, explosive kid who can defend full court for 32 minutes. She doesn’t tire and has a tremendous will to win.”
Riley Walters, Salmon River
The reigning MVP of the 1A Long Pin Conference helped the Savages advance to the third-place game at the state tournament. Walters also earned All-Idaho first-team honors, averaging 20 points, 7.7 rebounds, 6.0 steals, 3.3 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. “She controls tempo, gets her teammates involved early, and knows when it’s time to take over,” Cascade coach Linzie Green said.
