Boys basketball: The teams to beat and the players to watch at the small-school level
Last season stood as a banner year for boys basketball in the Treasure Valley’s small schools, with one team qualifying for the championship round at the Idaho Center in each classification.
This year might be even better: A reigning state player of the year returns, as do a conference player of the year and several impact freshmen growing into super sophomores.
We surveyed coaches in the 3A SRV, 2A WIC, 1A Division I WIC and 1A Division II Long Pin, asking them what players and teams they have their eyes on. Below are the results.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
DJ Green, McCall-Donnelly
The reigning 3A All-Idaho Player of the Year, Green can take over any game in a heartbeat. The lightning-quick senior guard is an explosive scorer (17.2 ppg) who also dominates on the defensive end. He always shines brightest in the biggest games.
Ethan Tinney, McCall-Donnelly
Tinney has been described as a Swiss Army knife, and the Vandals can plug the 6-3 senior guard in all five positions with his size and athleticism. That versatility shows up on the stat sheet, where he tallied 7.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and four assists per game a year ago for the state runner-up.
Mason Strong, Homedale
Already a three-year starter, the junior guard leads the Trojans on both ends of the floor. His intelligence and competitive fire allow him to have a hand in everything — he racked up 11.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.8 steals per game last year.
Johnny Sugarman, Ambrose
The 6-foot senior point guard already has a pair of first-team All-Idaho selections under his belt. He averaged 12.3 points, 3.5 steals and 3.1 assists as a junior. “When he wants to take over the game, it’s difficult not to become a spectator,” Marsing coach Tim Little said.
Joe Reiber, Melba
The reigning 2A WIC Player of the Year returns healthy after dislocating his elbow in the state tournament. The 6-2 senior guard owns an offer from Pacific (Division III) after racking up 16.7 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game as a junior. He can shoot the 3, get to the rim with ease and dominate the glass.
Caden Yett, Nampa Christian
The 6-6 senior forward changes the game with his size the moment he steps on the court. But he’s not limited to banging in the paint. He has the range to stretch defenses, averaging 14 points and seven rebounds a year ago as a second-team all-conference pick.
Noah Palomares, Victory Charter
The 5-7 shooting guard took the 1A Division I WIC by storm as a freshman last year, pouring in 15.1 points per game while adding 2.6 steals. He keeps a tight handle on the ball, slices through defenses and punishes anyone for sagging too far with a deadly 3-point shot.
Jasper Luce, Victory Charter
Luce presents a pick-your-poison option for defenses. The 6-foot senior power forward racked up 14.8 points and 7.3 rebounds a year ago en route to first-team all-conference honors. Guard him with a big body and he’ll blow by them or drain a 3-pointer. But he’ll also outmuscle quick-footed guards.
Dallin Criddle, Liberty Charter
Defenses will have a hard time containing, let alone stopping, the 6-6 senior wing. He can shoot from all over the floor, evidenced by his 15.3 points per game last year. He’s also a dominant rebounder (5.7) and knows how to create opportunities for his teammates.
TEAMS TO WATCH
McCall-Donnelly (3A): A perennial afterthought, the Vandals made a run to their first state championship game despite a limited schedule due to the coronavirus. Three starting guards (Green, Tinney, Alex Johnson) return as the unanimous 3A SRV favorite looks to prove last year’s runner-up finish was no fluke. Look for 6-5 junior forward Tate Ova to become a major factor as a high-flying athlete.
Homedale (3A): The Trojans present the most serious threat to McCall-Donnelly. Homedale returns four starters, including a pair of big-time scoring threats in Strong and Jaxon Dines (13.3 ppg). The return of healthy Hayden Kincheloe after shoulder surgery boosts the defense and provides leadership to a junior-heavy roster.
Melba (2A): The Mustangs return loaded to defend their 2A District Three title and contend for their third straight trip to state. Reiber headlines three returning starters, but sophomore Cache Beus (10.1 ppg, 11.3 rebounds) dominates the paint and Braden Volkers (12 ppg, 2.3 assists) provides a dangerous outside shooter while serving as the primary ball handler.
Ambrose (2A): The Archers impressed in their first season at the 2A level, falling by a single point in the state championship. The 2A WIC regular-season champ brings back three starters, including their leading scorer in Hudson Hughes (17.2 ppg, 2.5 assists, 3.1 steals). Ambrose is already lighting up the scoreboard, erupting for 101 and 88 points in its first two games.
Victory Charter (1AD1): The Vipers made their first trip to state last year. After losing just one senior, they stand as the heavy favorite in the 1A Division I WIC. Palomares and Luce draw a lot of attention. But senior point guard Carson Cole (9 ppg, 3.7 assists) and senior center Seth Fleshman (7 ppg, 7.6 rebounds) are also dangerous.
Garden Valley (1AD2): The Wolverines lost seven seniors and elevated Heather Kelly from assistant to head coach. All that turnover leaves Garden Valley looking up at Council in the Long Pin’s preseason poll. But with seniors Jordan Castillo and Hudson Fields getting their chance after serving as role players, the road to state still runs through the three-time defending district champ.
TEAM CAPSULES
Listed in order of predicted finish from preseason coaches’ poll.
3A SRV
1. MCCALL-DONNELLY
Last season: 11-3, 7-1 3A SRV
Coach: Jason Tinney, 10th season
Players to watch: DJ Green, sr., PG/SG; Ethan Tinney, sr., PG/SG; Alex Johnson, sr., SG; Tate Ova, jr., F
2. HOMEDALE
Last season: 8-15, 6-3 3A SRV
Coach: Cam Long, third season
Players to watch: Mason Strong, jr., G; Jaxon Dines, jr., G; Trenton Fisher, jr., P; Hayden Kincheloe, sr., G
3. FRUITLAND
Last season: 17-8, 9-0 3A SRV
Co-coaches: Mark Van Weerdhuizen, Willie Lake, second season
Players to watch: Nolan Bower, sr., F; Jacob Hamann, sr., G; Tyler Capps, jr., F; Tucker Snyder, sr., F
4. PAYETTE
Last season: 7-18, 1-9 3A SRV
Coach: Mike Boudreau, fourth season
Players to watch: Cace Lewis, sr., P; Zander Allen, sr., G; Max Walters, sr., PG; Ty Waynetska, sr., G
5. WEISER
Last season: 10-14, 6-3 3A SRV
Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
6. PARMA
Last season: 4-17, 1-9 3A SRV
Coach: Scot Garrick, seventh season
Players to watch: Stetson Pinz, sr.; Marce Flores, sr.
2A WIC
1. MELBA
Last season: 20-6, 11-3 2A WIC
Coach: Spencer Trappett, fourth season
Players to watch: Joe Reiber, sr., SG; Cache Beus, so., P; Braden Volkers, jr., PG
2. AMBROSE
Last season: 21-3, 13-1 2A WIC
Coach: Ken Sugarman, fourth season
Players to watch: Johnny Sugarman, sr., G; Hudson Hughes, sr., G; Mitchell Boeck, sr., F
3. NAMPA CHRISTIAN
Last season: 16-6, 11-2 2A WIC
Coach: Nate Rex, fourth season
Players to watch: Caden Yett, sr., F; Landon Cheney, sr., G/F; Carson Attwood, sr., C
4. COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN
Last season: 9-11, 5-8 2A WIC
Coach: Dan Waldeck, first season
Players to watch: David Howlett, sr., F; Ben Beglinger, so., G/W; Eli Archer, sr., PG
5. NEW PLYMOUTH
Last season: 17-10, 7-6 2A WIC
Coach: Jeff Lavender, fifth season
Players to watch: Ashton Hall, sr., F; Casey Arritola, sr., G; Landon Christensen, so., F; Connor Hawker, jr., G
T-6. COMPASS CHARTER
Last season: 6-14, 1-12 2A WIC
Coach: Trevor DeBuhr, fourth season
Players to watch: Logan Clark, sr., G/F; Jaxon Pew, sr., W; Pavel Muzafarov, so., W/P; Zakery Felgenhauer, jr., W
T-6. MARSING
Last season: 8-16, 3-10 2A WIC
Coach: Tim Little, seventh season
Players to watch: Noel Quebrado, sr., G; Dom Enrico, sr., PG; Mikey Acosta, jr., F
8. VISION CHARTER
Last season: 0-16, 0-9 2A WIC
Coach: Jason George, first season
Players to watch: Heyden Pinkston, sr., G/W; Dylan Hampton, sr., G; Gavin DeLano, jr., P; Ethan Stoker, jr., W
1A DIVISION I WIC
1. VICTORY CHARTER
Last season: 19-6
Coach: Joshua Hubbard, fifth season
Players to watch: Jasper Luce, sr., PF; Noah Palomares, so., SG; Carson Cole, sr., PG; Seth Fleshman, sr., C
2. LIBERTY CHARTER
Last season: 13-13
Coach: Scott McConnell, first season
Players to watch: Dallin Criddle, sr., W/P
3. RIMROCK
Last season: 10-12
Coach: Arron Hall, fifth season
Players to watch: Pedro Varela, sr., G; Aden Aquiso, jr., F; Alex Martinez, sr., G
4. NOTUS
Last season: 11-9
Coach: Jimmy Boeder, first season
Players to watch: Tristan Aspiazu, jr., G; Julian Gallegos, sr., F/C; Nico Sullivan, jr., G; Benny Guevara, fr., G
5. WILDER
Last season: 8-13
Coach: Eric Lopez, fifth season
Players to watch: Moises Perez, sr., PG; Marco Martinez, sr., W; Adrian Miramontes, sr., W/P; Alex Martinez, sr., P
6. NORTH STAR CHARTER
Last season: 11-10
Coach: Ryan Baxter, first season
Players to watch: Max Wheeler, jr., G; Blake Hansen, so., G; Michael Corkish, jr., G
7. RIVERSTONE
Last season: 15-1
Coach: Steve Bowen, second season
Players to watch: Derek Liebich, sr., G; Ryan Wilken, sr., F; Jason Koval, so., G
8. IDAHO CITY
Last season: 4-12
Coach: Jayce Bell, 10th season
Players to watch: Connor Rapacon, sr., SG; Brody Backus, jr., F
9. CENTENNIAL BAPTIST
Last season: 0-16
Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
10. GEM STATE
Last season: 5-16
Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
11. GREENLEAF
Last season: 0-17
Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
1A DIVISION II LONG PIN
1. COUNCIL
Last season: 13-9
Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
2. GARDEN VALLEY
Last season: 24-1
Coach: Heather Kelly, first season
Players to watch: Jordan Castillo, sr., G; Hudson Fields, sr., F; Tacoma Kelly, so., SG; Trayson Corn, jr., F
T-3. CASCADE
Last season: 11-10
Coach: Josh Hurley, first season
Players to watch: Tyler Thurston, so., PG; Samuel Huckaby, so., F; Cole Olson, fr., G; Grant Whipple, so., F
T-3. HORSESHOE BEND
Last season: 5-14
Coach: Tivon Miller, seventh season
Players to watch: Decker Larson, sr., W/P; Porter Larson, so., G/W; Layth Bromgard, so., W/P; Colten Meyer, sr., W/P
5. SALMON RIVER
Last season: 11-9
Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
6. TRI-VALLEY
Last season: 3-14
Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
7. MEADOWS VALLEY
Last season: 0-3
Coach: Daniel D’Lerma, second season
Players to watch: Koby Rivas, jr., F; Cody Padgett, fr., PG; Anthony Larrea, fr., F
This story was originally published December 6, 2021 at 1:34 PM.
