Predicting the unpredictable: The favorites, sleepers in the 4A SIC boys basketball race
Predictions for the boys basketball race in the 4A Southern Idaho Conference are always a fool’s errand in the topsy-turvy league.
Teams regularly rise from the bottom to the top. And a 10-6 conference record was only good enough for a No. 6 seed in the nine-team conference’s district tournament a year ago.
But we took our best shot at trying to handicap this year’s race, as well as the top players who will have a say in how it all turns out.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tyler Robinett, Middleton
Every opponent will start its game plan with slowing down the 6-7, 200-pound senior committed to College of Idaho. Good luck. His size and athleticism make him a nightmare in the paint. And he can just as easily step outside, knock down a 3 and distribute the ball.
He racked up 15.9 points and 7.8 rebounds a year ago to earn second-team All-Idaho honors.
“(He’s a) tall, long athlete who can play any position from 1 to 5,” Nampa coach Derek Pegram said.
Sean Austin, Kuna
The state championship-winning quarterback first broke out on the hardwood, racking up 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 steals to earn a spot on the all-conference second team as a sophomore. The 6-2 junior guard controls the game with his ball handling and his ability to light up the scoreboard.
“(He’s the) most dynamic guard in the conference with the ball in his hands,” Middleton coach Andy Harrington said. “(He) can go for 25 on any given night. (He) can break people down and shoot the 3.”
Donavon Estrada, Nampa
Another elusive quarterback, the senior guard led the 4A SIC in steals (3.1) and ranked second in assists (4.1) a year ago all while pouring in 13.2 points a night. His lightning-quick moves and nose for the ball make him a terror on offense and defense.
“He is elite when he’s using his instincts and quickness on defense,” Harrington said. “It scares me every time I see him pressuring the ball.”
Mathew Flake, Ridgevue
The senior forward set the league on fire last year, putting up 15.6 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. And he’s not showing any signs of slowing down, dropping 35 points in the Warhawks’ season opener.
“Mathew causes defenses to collapse on him, creating easy shots for his teammates,” Vallivue coach Mario Betancourt said. “He is a ferocious rebounder who is always looking to create extra possessions. He has a very quick first step, making it hard to put a big on him.”
THE FAVORITE
MIDDLETON VIKINGS
Last season: 16-12, 10-6 4A SIC
Coach: Andy Harrington, second season
Returning starters: Tyler Robinett, sr., F; Cash Cowdery, jr., G; Sy Eaton, sr., G; Trent Johansen, sr., G
Even though the 6-5, 290-pound Gaard Memmelaar (9.0 ppg, 6.7 rebounds) won’t play this year as he graduates early to play football at Washington, Middleton still fields the most size in the conference. Tyler Robinett and sophomore Tyler Medaris both stand 6-7, and seven of the 10 Vikings measure taller than 6-2.
But don’t expect a plodding team. Andy Harrington said he plans to have his team get out and run this year. Opponents are sure to set up a zone to contain Middleton’s size. But an up-tempo style and improved shooting and depth ought to combat those defenses.
THE CONTENDERS
BISHOP KELLY KNIGHTS
Last season: 15-9, 11-5 4A SIC
Coach: Ryan Kerns, sixth season
Returning starters: Nick Wolter, sr., G
The Knights were set to return their two leading scorers in Nick Wolter (12.0 ppg, 5.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists) and Matt Heffner (13.4 ppg, 2.4 assists). But then they lost Heffner to a season-ending knee injury in the summer.
That leaves Wolter as the lone returning starter. But Bishop Kelly coach Ryan Kerns said he has a deep and talented group coming in. It may be short on varsity experience, but a strong summer campaign has him convinced the Knights can grow into a formidable unit by the time district rolls around.
KUNA KAVEMEN
Last season: 14-10, 11-5 4A SIC
Coach: Pete Longgood, fourth season
Returning starters: Sean Austin, jr., G
The Kavemen own the conference’s longest state tournament drought (seven years) and field a roster full of new faces. But Sean Austin gives Kuna one of the league’s top playmakers, and Kuna coach Pete Longgood said this year’s team is full of aggressive and fast players who know how to share the ball.
As long as the undersized Kavemen can hold their own on the boards, they are a threat to get back to state.
THE DARK HORSES
NAMPA BULLDOGS
Last season: 16-9, 10-6 4A SIC
Coach: Derek Pegram, third season
Returning starters: Donavon Estrada, sr., PG; Gavin White, sr., C
Donavon Estrada leads an athletic group of shooters who will get up and down the floor in a hurry and try to run opponents out of the gym. Even 6-5 center Gavin White can put up shots with the best of them.
But Nampa starts the year short on varsity experience with just three seniors. A talented class of nine juniors enters the program, but Derek Pegram’s challenge will be getting them to mesh.
VALLIVUE FALCONS
Last season: 15-12, 11-5 4A SIC
Coach: Mario Betancourt, first season
Returning starters: Mike Fitts, sr., G; Max Villarreal, sr., F
The Falcons enter a new era after Ryan Lundgren left for a coaching job at the College of Southern Idaho and Amoro Lado, the 4A All-Idaho Player of the Year who scored 23.8 points a night, graduated.
The loss of Vallivue’s top three scorers creates a host of opportunities for new players. Sharpshooter Mike Fitts (7.3 ppg, 38 percent on 3s) and all-everything athlete Lan Larison give the Falcons two solid options. But it may take awhile for Vallivue to find a new identity.
THE UNDERDOGS
COLUMBIA WILDCATS
Last season: 19-7, 11-5 4A SIC
Coach: Trevor Morris, first season
Returning starters: Gabe Landin, sr., F; Joe Schulkins, jr., G
The Wildcats established all kinds of firsts last year, qualifying for their first state tournament, winning their first district title and finishing with a winning record for the first time in program history. But Columbia starts the season with little respect after its top two scorers graduated, its third-leading scorer moved out of state and head coach Tennison Tripple resigned.
But that doesn’t daunt first-year coach Trevor Morris, who led Nampa to the 5A state tournament in 2015. He sees a deeper and more balanced team than a year ago, one that could surprise everyone again.
RIDGEVUE WARHAWKS
Last season: 7-16, 5-11 4A SIC
Coach: Neil Stutzman, fourth season
Returning starters: Mathew Flake, sr., F; Issas Albor, sr., PG
The Warhawks set a program record with seven wins last year. But Ridgevue has its sights set even higher this year, looking to make noise in the postseason.
Scoring won’t be hard to come by as the Warhawks enter Year 4 in their Princeton offense and return their top two offensive weapons in Mathew Flake (15.6 ppg, 4.9 rebounds) and Issas Albor (13.7 ppg, 3.5 assists). But shoring up a defense that gave up a league-high 62.3 points per game remains a priority if Ridgevue is going to set another record for victories.
CALDWELL COUGARS
Last season: 4-16, 1-15 4A SIC
Coach: Derrick Boles, first season
Returning starters: Anthony Narrvaro, sr., G; Xavier Brown, sr., G; Matt Worwood, sr., G; Mannie Cabarilla, sr., G; Ben Gonzalez, sr., G
Caldwell made a splashy hire in Derrick Boles, who led the Treasure Valley Community College men’s basketball program for five years before becoming an assistant coach and director of player development with the Idaho Stampede.
Boles inherits a program that went 9-55 the past three seasons. He has plenty of returning talent to work with and said the Cougars should be a strong rebounding team. But they need to work on their offensive sets and discipline.
EMMETT HUSKIES
Last season: 3-18, 2-14 4A SIC
Coach: David Dust, fourth season
Returning starters: Harrison Mumford, jr., G; Riley Weekes, sr., G
First-team all-conference forward Brett Kern (23.7 ppg, 10.1 rebounds) graduated, leaving a gaping hole in the Emmett lineup. Coach David Dust said the Huskies are moving the ball well and have loads of speed in their transition offense. But replacing that kind of production will take a group effort, and Emmett needs unproven options to prove themselves quickly.
This story was originally published December 6, 2019 at 4:02 PM.
