Boys basketball preview: Ranking Southwest Idaho’s top small-school teams from 3A to 1A

District Three’s small-school programs came up short in their state championship aspirations last season, but the start of the 2023-24 season has ushered in a fresh field of contenders.

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

McCall-Donnelly: An experienced roster gives the Vandals the edge in the 3A Snake River Valley race this season. All five starters return from a team that fell a win short of advancing to the state tournament last season. Three of those players — Luke Scott (second team), Mike Foster (second team) and Sam Penny (honorable mention) — earned spots on the all-conference team. Coach Jason Tinney said Penny (9 ppg, 6 rebounds), a junior shooting guard, can score at all three levels and will be the Vandals’ go-to player in critical moments. At 6-foot-6 and 215 pounds, Foster (8 ppg, 8 rebounds) adds size and strength to the Vandals’ lineup, and Scott (12 ppg, 4 assists) is a dangerous shooter.

Homedale: The defending district champions don’t return a single starter from last year’s state-qualifying team, but the Trojans are still considered contenders with a second-place showing in the 3A SRV preseason coaches’ poll. A new leader will have to emerge for the Trojans with the graduation of All-Idaho first-team pick Jaxon Dines. Coach Cam Long said that role will likely go to senior point guard Danny Lomeli, who he said has made great strides over the summer. Long also anticipates major contributions from junior wing Luke Henry and junior post McCoy Swallow.

Cole Valley Christian: Last year’s 2A state consolation champion regroups for another tournament run thanks to the return of three starters. The Chargers finished second in the 2023 2A District Three tournament, which was their first appearance in the title game since winning three in a row from 2018 to 2020. Guard Eli Kingery is back for his senior campaign after averaging 11 points per game last season for first-team all-conference honors. Senior forward Ben Beglinger (9 ppg, 6 rebounds) added honorable-mention recognition and sophomore point guard Isaiah Holsinger is ready to take the reins after earning a starting spot during last season’s state tournament.

Melba: The Mustangs have been the team to beat in the 2A Western Idaho Conference the past three seasons, winning three straight district titles, a state title in 2022 and a state runner-up trophy in 2023. Senior Cutter Beus is the only starter back, but he’s no slouch. The 6-8 wing/post landed on the All-Idaho second team after averaging 13.6 points, 8 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 37% from 3-point range. Senior Sylvan Spence (9.7 ppg, 1.3 steals) and junior Rylan Frank (9 ppg, 6 rebounds, 2 assists) are proven scorers, and junior Carsten Volkers will pose a threat with his quickness.

Liberty Charter: The Patriots had a perfect record in the 1A Division I Western Idaho Conference last season and held off Victory Charter by one point for a second straight district championship. Liberty Charter is a favorite to repeat last season’s success, receiving six first-place votes in a preseason coaches’ poll to edge Victory Charter by three points. Five starters return, headlined by senior point guard Luke Thomas (15 ppg, 5 assists), a first-team all-conference pick. Senior post Luke Starner (13 ppg, 12 rebounds) will protect the rim, and senior wings Kade Johnson and Kawika Schlenkler will each take on bigger roles this season.

Victory Charter: With the return of reigning 1A Division I WIC Player of the Year Noah Palomares, the Vipers hope to unseat Liberty Charter. Palomares, a senior guard, has surpassed 1,000 career points after contributing 16.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.3 steals per game last season for All-Idaho first-team recognition. Junior guard Cody Luce (13.5 ppg, 4.5 rebounds) joins Palomares as a returning starter and all-conference honoree, and senior post Caleb Boschma will step up as the Vipers’ go-to rebounder.

Cascade: The fourth-seeded Ramblers upset No. 1 Council on their way to last season’s 1A Division II District Three championship. With seven players back who spent time in Cascade’s starting lineup last season, the Ramblers are loaded for another run. Opponents will no doubt devise plans to try to stop senior point guard Tyler Thurston (18.4 ppg) — the 2023 1A Division II Long Pin MVP — but that just opens the door for the likes of senior forward Samuel Huckaby, junior guard Cole Olson and senior small forward Trever Sayers, all of whom made the all-conference team a year ago.

TEAM CAPSULES

Listed in order of predicted finish from preseason coaches’ polls.

3A SRV

1. MCCALL-DONNELLY

Last season: 15-6, 8-2 3A SRV

Coach: Jason Tinney, 12th season

Players to watch: Sam Penny, jr., SG; Mike Foster, jr., PF; Luke Scott, sr., G

2. HOMEDALE

Last season: 15-9, 9-1 3A SRV

Coach: Cam Long, fifth season

Players to watch: Danny Lomeli, sr., PG; Luke Henry, jr., W; McCoy Swallow, jr., P

3. PARMA

Last season: 9-14, 2-8 3A SRV

Coach: Tanner Kramer, first season

Players to watch: Peyton Johnson, sr., G/F; Braxton Heffelfinger, sr., PG; Nathan Compas, so., SG

4. FRUITLAND

Last season: 16-11, 7-3 3A SRV

Coach: Darren Van Hofwegen, first season

Players to watch: Brody Watson, sr., G; Ethan Starr, sr., G; AJ Hyatt, sr., F/P

5. WEISER

Last season: 5-19, 1-9 3A SRV

Coach: Ron Shirts, first season

Players to watch: Jack Shirts, sr., G; Carter Jensen, sr., G; Kolin Cook, jr., G; Josh Mizar, jr., G

6. PAYETTE

Last season: 11-13, 3-7 3A SRV

Coach: Steven Bennett, first season

Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey

2A WIC

1. COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN

Last season: 21-6, 11-3 2A WIC

Coach: Dan Waldeck, third season

Players to watch: Eli Kingery, sr., G; Ben Beglinger, sr., F; Isaiah Holsinger, so., PG

2. MELBA

Last season: 24-1, 13-0 2A WIC

Coach: Spencer Trappett, sixth season

Players to watch: Cutter Beus, sr., P/W; Sylvan Spence, sr., W; Rylan Frank, jr., PG/W; Carsten Volkers, jr., W

3. AMBROSE

Last season: 11-10, 8-5 2A WIC

Coach: Ken Sugarman, sixth season

Players to watch: Tyson Hughes, sr., G; Lincoln Mathis, jr., G; Eli Sugarman, sr., G

4. NEW PLYMOUTH

Last season: 19-7, 10-4 2A WIC

Coach: Jeff Lavender, seventh season

Players to watch: Heath Jarboe, sr., C; Colton Frates, sr., PG; Tracen Tripple, so., SG; Landon Christensen, sr., PF

5. NAMPA CHRISTIAN

Last season: 15-9, 7-7 2A WIC

Coach: Matthew Gregory, third season

Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey

6. MARSING

Last season: 8-15, 3-11 2A WIC

Coach: Tim Little, 13th season

Players to watch: Jace Chadez, jr., PG; Eli Ankeny, sr., G; Juan Diego Ponce, so., G

7. COMPASS CHARTER

Last season: 4-16, 1-13 2A WIC

Coach: Shane Tolman, first season

Players to watch: Thore Lucas, jr., PG; Kellen Walbuck, jr., G; Jayden Horn, jr., F; Mason Bennett, jr., G

8. NORTH STAR CHARTER

Last season: 5-17, 2-12 2A WIC

Coach: Terry Thomas, first season

Players to watch: Blake Hansen, sr., PG; Kyle Wheeler, jr., G; Morgan Daniels, sr., F; Nico Garcia, jr., F

1A DIVISION I WIC

1. LIBERTY CHARTER

Last season: 17-8, 9-0 1A Division I WIC

Coach: Seth Stallcop, 16th season

Players to watch: Luke Thomas, sr., PG; Luke Starner, sr., P; Kade Johnson, sr., W; Kawika Schlenkler, sr., W

2. VICTORY CHARTER

Last season: 20-6, 9-1 1A Division I WIC

Coach: David Weaver, second season

Players to watch: Noah Palomares, sr., G; Cody Luce, jr., G; Caleb Boschma, sr., P

3. RIVERSTONE

Last season: 11-13, 6-6 1A Division I WIC

Coach: Steven Bowen, fourth season

Players to watch: Jason Koval, sr., SG; Amer Sangha, jr., PG; Ethan Ebbers, sr., P

4. NOTUS

Last season: 9-11, 7-3 1A Division I WIC

Coach: Jim Boeder, third season

Players to watch: Benny Guevara, jr., G; Grayson Benitez, sr., G/F; Luis Vargas, jr., SG

5. RIMROCK

Last season: 14-10, 8-2 1A Division I WIC

Coach: Wylee Aquiso, first season

Players to watch: Loyd Boren, sr., G; Roni Gomez, jr., PG; Rocky Aquiso, jr., PF

6. VISION CHARTER

Last season: 12-12, 6-4 1A Division I WIC

Coach: Jason George, third season

Players to watch: Ethan Ingram, sr., PG; Kamden Stoker, jr., F; Dakota Williams, jr., W; Payton Williams, so., G

7. IDAHO CITY

Last season: 6-11, 4-6 1A Division I WIC

Coach: Al Hansen, second season

Players to watch: Logan Watson, sr., P; Trey Martiny, jr., G/W; Dax Olvera, sr., G/W; Tell Jewell, sr., G

8. GEM STATE

Last season: 7-10, 4-7 1A Division I WIC

Coach: Jeremy Perkins

Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey

9. WILDER

Last season: 5-19, 2-9 1A Division I WIC

Coach: Eric Lopez, sixth season

Players to watch: Julian Neri, jr., G; Kyevan Gephart, jr., G; Jesse Morales, so., C; Brandon Perez, jr., P

10. GREENLEAF

Last season: 3-18, 1-9 1A Division I WIC

Coach: Eric Christianson, third season

Players to watch: Josh Yeakley, jr., F; Luke Lehman, jr., G; Caleb Moore, so., F

11. CENTENNIAL BAPTIST

Last season: 3-21, 1-10 1A Division I WIC

Coach: Brent Mai, seventh season

Players to watch: Cameron Tilzey, jr., G; Caleb Weat, so., PG; Carson Sams, fr., P

1A DIVISION II LONG PIN

1. CASCADE

Last season: 17-9, 7-5 1A Division II Long Pin

Coach: Josh Hurley, third season

Players to watch: Tyler Thurston, sr., PG; Samuel Huckaby, sr., F; Cole Olson, jr., G; Trever Sayers, sr., SF

2. GARDEN VALLEY

Last season: 15-8, 10-2 1A Division II Long Pin

Coach: Heather Kelly, third season

Players to watch: Tacoma Kelly, sr., G; Zade Thompson, sr., G; Trevor Corn, jr., SG

3. HORSESHOE BEND

Last season: 13-11, 7-5 1A Division II Long Pin

Coach: Jason Bromgard, second season

Players to watch: Layth Bromgard, sr., G/P; Porter Larsen, sr., G; Nic Cooper, sr., P

4. COUNCIL

Last season: 20-6, 12-0 1A Division II Long Pin

Coach: JC Tucker, third season (first since 2018)

Players to watch: Dalton Bingham, sr., G; Decker McLinn, jr., G; Tucker Laine, jr., G

5. SALMON RIVER

Last season: 3-17, 3-9 1A Division II Long Pin

Coach: Mike Shepherd, third season

Players to watch: Gabe Zabala, sr., G; Dawson Whitney, sr., C; Cordell Bovey, sr., G; Blake Shepherd, fr., G

6. TRI-VALLEY

Last season: 4-12, 3-9 1A Division I Long Pin

Coach: Lee Nichols

Did not reply to the Statesman’s preseason survey

Rachel Roberts

Idaho Statesman

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Rachel Roberts has been covering sports for the Idaho Statesman since 2005. She attended Northwest Nazarene University and is Boise born and raised. Support my work with a digital subscription