3A-1A boys basketball preview: The favorites, contenders and dark horses in Southwest Idaho
District Three’s small-school programs represented the region well at the state tournament last year, with Melba bringing home the 2A title and McCall-Donnelly making the 3A finals for the second straight year.
So who are the teams to beat this winter? We surveyed the district’s 3A, 2A, 1A Division I and 1A Division II coaches to find out. Below are their picks for the top teams and players to watch this season.
TEAMS TO WATCH
Homedale: The Trojans were one shot away from claiming the 3A SRV district title a year ago. Now they return all five starters with enough firepower to become the new favorites of the league. Reigning All-Idaho guards Jaxon Dines (16.3 ppg) and Mason Strong (11.6 ppg) are four-year starters who can light up the stat sheet on any given night. And the defense has just as much juice, headlined by Trenton Fisher (4.6 ppg, 3.1 rebounds, 1.0 steals) and Sigmund Goode (4.3 ppg, 2.6 rebounds, 2.0 steals).
Fruitland: Mark Van Weerdhuizen takes over as the main guy in charge after spending four years as co-head coach with Willie Lake. He’ll look to build off a 2021-22 season that saw the Grizzlies finish third in the 3A SRV tournament and make it to state. Tyler Capps (8.1 ppg, 5.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals) will lead the way as a senior forward who can play both inside and on the perimeter. He joins senior guards Luke Barinaga (5.6 ppg, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists), Eddie Rodriguez (6.9 ppg, 3.0 rebounds) and Zane Bidwell (3.4 ppg, 2.5 rebounds, 1.4 steals) to form one of the league’s deepest teams.
McCall-Donnelly: Last season’s dominant squad claimed the 3A SRV district title and the 3A state runner-up trophy. But the Vandals lost two-time 3A All-Idaho Player of the Year DJ Green and three other starters to graduation. That leaves senior forward Tate Ova (6.9 ppg, 7.3 rebounds) as the lone returner. Tinney said he’ll lean on his leadership and experience to build another contender. With him are Sam Penny and Luke Scott, a pair of shooting guards with enough range to stretch defenses.
Melba: The defending 2A state champs turn the page after the graduation of 2A All-Idaho Player of the Year Joe Reiber. But they return two second-team All-Idaho standouts in Cache Beus and Braden Volkers, giving the Mustangs the weapons to make another run. Beus (10.2 ppg, 11.7 rebounds) can dominate at any position, while Volkers (12.7 ppg, 1.9 assists) can beat opponents from behind the 3-point arc or on a drive to the basket. Tucker Lowber (7.0 ppg, 3.2 rebounds) excelled off the bench last year and will be asked to handle more of the scoring duties this winter.
Cole Valley Christian: The Chargers are implementing a new system in coach Dan Waldeck’s second season, creating a high-volume offense with plenty of shooters to go around. It’ll start with Max Myers (10 ppg), a second-team all-2A WIC guard who can score from anywhere. He’ll join guards Ben Beglinger (10 ppg) and Toby Kingery to form a deadly trio in the backcourt. Waldeck said the team has made huge strides in the offseason, making the Chargers a team to watch.
Victory Charter: The Vipers will have a new look with a first-year coach, David Weaver, and one returning starter. But 1A Division I WIC’s coaches believe they can still contend, voting Victory Charter as the preseason favorite over Liberty Charter by one point. The lone returner, Noah Palomares, has the speed and knockdown shooting to make him a challenge for defenders. And his strength gives him an edge in rebounding and guarding opponents’ top playmakers. He’ll lead the offense with Cody Luce, a sophomore guard who can facilitate the floor and score in bunches.
Liberty Charter: A late-season run helped the Patriots take the 1A Division I WIC district title last year. But they’ll have to replace first-team All-Idaho forward Dallin Criddle, who averaged 19.5 points per game. Look for junior guard Luke Thomas (8.0 ppg) to fill those shoes as the team’s top returning scorer with great court vision. He’ll turn to juniors Luke Starner and Kade Johnson to get tough baskets in the paint and on the perimeter.
Council: The Lumberjacks breezed through the 1A Division II Long Pin Conference for the regular-season and district titles last year, and they finished third at state. Second-team All-Idaho forward Wyatt Vining (10.7 ppg, 8.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists) returns, making Council the favorite to win the league again. And guards Porter McLinn and Josh Gipe provide versatility on offense and defense, giving the Lumberjacks a three-headed monster opponents should keep their eyes on.
TEAM CAPSULES
Listed in order of predicted finish from preseason coaches’ polls.
3A SRV
1. HOMEDALE
Last season: 16-10, 7-3 3A SRV
Coach: Cam Long, fourth season
Players to watch: Jaxon Dines, sr., W; Mason Strong, sr., G; Trenton Fisher, sr., P; Sigmund Goode, sr., W
2. FRUITLAND
Last season: 18-9, 6-4 3A SRV
Coach: Mark Van Weerdhuizen, fifth season
Players to watch: Tyler Capps, sr., F; Luke Barinaga, sr., G; Eddie Rodriguez, sr., G; Zane Bidwell, sr., G
3. MCCALL-DONNELLY
Last season: 20-3, 9-1 3A SRV
Coach: Jason Tinney, 12th season
Players to watch: Sam Penny, so., SG; Tate Ova, sr., F; Luke Scott, sr., SG
4. PAYETTE
Last season: 9-14, 3-7 3A SRV
Coach: Mike Boudreau, fifth season
Players to watch: Jaydin Morin-Bishop, sr., SG; Collin Hysell, sr., C; Abraham Rodriguez, sr., SF; Martin Ceballos, sr., G
5. WEISER
Last season: 7-16, 3-7 3A SRV
Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey
6. PARMA
Last season: 6-16, 2-8 3A SRV
Coach: Trevor DeBuhr, first season
Players to watch: Peyton Johnson, jr., G; Braxton Heffelfinger, jr., G; Noah Staigle, jr., C; Luke Redmond, sr., G
2A WIC
1. MELBA
Last season: 24-2, 13-1 2A WIC
Coach: Spencer Trappett, fifth season
Players to watch: Cache Beus, jr., G/P; Braden Volkers, sr., G; Cutter Beus, jr., G/P; Tucker Lowber, jr., G/P
2. COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN
Last season: 16-8, 9-5 2A WIC
Coach: Dan Waldeck, second season
Players to watch: Max Myers, sr., G; Ben Beglinger, jr., G; Toby Kingery, sr., PG
3. AMBROSE
Last season: 21-6, 12-2 2A WIC
Coach: Ken Sugarman, fifth season
Players to watch: Tyson Hughes, jr., G; Lincoln Mathis, so., G; Eli Sugarman, jr., G
4. NAMPA CHRISTIAN
Last season: 15-11, 9-5 2A WIC
Coach: Matthew Gregory, second season
Players to watch: Donovan Wiles, jr., G; Landon Mills, jr., PG/G; Dante D’Orazio, sr., G/SF; Devon McDaniel, sr., G/F
5. NEW PLYMOUTH
Last season: 13-11, 7-7 2A WIC
Coach: Jeff Lavender, sixth season
Players to watch: Heath Jarboe, jr., C; Connor Hawker, sr., G; Colton Frates, jr., PG; Landon Christensen, jr., PF
6. MARSING
Last season: 5-19, 3-11 2A WIC
Coach: Tim Little, eighth season
Players to watch: Braden Ankeny, jr., P; Nacho Margarito, jr., W; Jace Chadez, so., PG; Dusty Engle, jr., G/W
7. COMPASS CHARTER
Last season: 4-17, 2-12 2A WIC
Coach: Paul Egwuonwu, first season
Players to watch: Kellen Walbuck, so., G; Micah Foreman, so., G; Jared Alger, sr., G
8. NORTH STAR CHARTER
Last season: 10-13, 4-6 1A Division I WIC
Coach: Ryan Baxter, second season
Players to watch: Max Wheeler, sr., G; Blake Hansen, jr., G; Michael Corkish, sr., G; Connor O’Brien, sr., G
1A DIVISION I WIC
1. VICTORY CHARTER
Last season: 20-4, 9-1 1A Division I WIC
Coach: David Weaver, first season
Players to watch: Noah Palomares, jr., G; Fikadu Ewing, sr., G; Cody Luce, so., G
2. LIBERTY CHARTER
Last season: 18-7, 8-2 1A Division I WIC
Coach: Seth Stallcop, 15th season
Players to watch: Luke Thomas, jr., PG/SG; Luke Starner, jr., P; Kade Johnson, jr., W
3. RIMROCK
Last season: 19-5, 10-0 1A Division I WIC
Coach: Arron Hall, fifth season
Players to watch: Ronaldo Gomez, so., G; Aden Aquiso, sr., F; Jack Meyers, sr., C
4. NOTUS
Last season: 10-12, 6-4 1A Division I WIC
Coach: Jim Boeder, second season
Players to watch: Tristan Aspiazu, sr., G; Benny Guevara, so., G; Eli Hill, sr., F; Tyler Stephens, sr., F
5. RIVERSTONE
Last season: 10-11, 7-3 1A Division I WIC
Coach: Steven Bowen, third season
Players to watch: Jason Koval, jr., G; Aidan Simmons, sr., F; Conrad Ness, so., G
6. CENTENNIAL BAPTIST
Last season: 9-8, 4-6 1A Division I WIC
Coach: Brent Mai, fifth season
Players to watch: Braedon Cornwall, sr., G; Ethan Nunn, sr., P; Cameron Tilzey, so., G
7. VISION CHARTER
Last season: 5-17, 1-13 2A WIC
Coach: Jason George, second season
Players to watch: Gavin DeLano, sr., P/PF; Ethan Stoker, sr., F/W; Hayden Soule, sr., G/W; Ethan Ingram, jr., PG
8. IDAHO CITY
Last season: 4-14, 1-9 1A Division I WIC
Coach: Al Hansen, first season
Players to watch: Logan Watson, jr., P; Brody Backus, sr., W; Ian Robers, sr., G; Trey Martini, so., G
9. WILDER
Last season: 3-18, 1-9 1A Division I WIC
Coach: Eric Lopez, sixth season
Players to watch: Nicolas Marcial, sr., W; Luis Juan Torres, sr., G; Isaiah Lopez, sr., G; Cristian Cuellar, sr., W/P
10. GREENLEAF
Last season: 6-15, 3-7 1A Division I WIC
Coach: Eric Christianson, first season
Players to watch: Sam Yeakley, sr., G
11. GEM STATE
Last season: 3-15, 2-8 1A Division I WIC
Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey
1A DIVISION II LONG PIN
1. COUNCIL
Last season: 20-5, 12-0 1A Division II Long Pin
Coach: Clay Hollon, third season
Players to watch: Wyatt Vining, sr., W/P; Porter McLinn, sr., PG; Josh Gipe, sr., W/PG
2. GARDEN VALLEY
Last season: 15-7, 8-3 1A Division II Long Pin
Coach: Heather Kelly, second season
Players to watch: Tacoma Kelly, jr., G; Trayson Corn, sr., G; Trevor Corn, so., G
3. CASCADE
Last season: 14-11, 7-5 1A Division II Long Pin
Coach: Josh Hurley, second season
Players to watch: Tyler Thurston, jr., PG; Samuel Huckaby, jr., F; Cole Olson, so., G; Grant Whipple, jr., F
4. HORSESHOE BEND
Last season: 12-13, 8-4 1A Division II Long Pin
Coach: Jason Bromgard, first season
Players to watch: Layth Bromgard, jr., G/P; Carson Drake, jr., PG; Kaelun Jones, jr., G/P; Porter Larson, jr., G
5. TRI-VALLEY
Last season: 5-14, 3-9 1A Division II Long Pin
Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey
6. SALMON RIVER
Last season: 5-16, 2-9 1A Division II Long Pin
Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey
7. MEADOWS VALLEY
Last season: 1-17, 0-10 1A Division II Long Pin
Coach: Daniel D’Lerma, third season
Players to watch: Koby Rivas, sr., F; Cody Padgett, so., PG
This story was originally published December 5, 2022 at 6:24 PM.