Top 20 boys basketball players to watch this year. See who made the Southwest Idaho list
Idaho’s boys basketball season kicked into full gear this week. With it comes a bounty of decorated returners and a host of new players looking to make their mark.
The Idaho Statesman surveyed coaches throughout District Three searching for the opposing players that keep them awake at night. These were their top responses.
Players are listed in alphabetical order.
Jayce Allen, Owyhee
The senior saw limited minutes for the Storm last season, serving as a lethal shooter off the bench and averaging just 2.8 points per game. But graduation losses opened a role for the Vanguard (NCAA Division II) commit, and Owyhee expects big things from the long and athletic guard. “He’s one of the best shooters in the SIC who also handles the ball well and is an excellent passer,” Eagle coach Cody Pickett said.
Dominik Betancourt, Vallivue
Shooters always pose a problem. And the coach’s son proved himself a big one as a sophomore last season, sinking 40% of his shots behind the arc and tying a school record with seven 3-pointers in a single game. Look for the second-team all-conference pick to spend a lot more time with the ball in his hands this winter. “He’s an elite 3-point shooter that truly understands how to hunt his shot,” Columbia coach Blaine Wright said. “He has an excellent basketball IQ, and can get to his spots on the floor to score.”
Tye Cornwall, Middleton
The 6-4 junior guard caught the eyes of scouts for Boise State and Idaho after serving as the Vikings’ point guard during a state tournament run last season, averaging 9.9 points and 1.8 assists. He’ll likely play more of a combo guard role this year. But no matter where he gets the ball, opponents better get ready for him to pull up from anywhere on the floor. “He’s an elite 3-point shooter but also has the ability to take you off the dribble,” Wright said.
Gabe Eddins, Centennial
The 6-5 junior first broke into the starting lineup as a freshman, then led the state’s largest classification with 20.1 points per game last year for a spot on the All-Idaho second team. Opponents will spend all season cooking up ways to slow the efficient scorer who shot 48% from the floor a year ago. “He’s a fantastic basketball player that is fun to watch,” Capital coach Blas Telleria said. “He could easily be the player of the year for our conference.”
Michael Foster, McCall-Donnelly
The 6-foot-5, 230-pound power forward forces opponents to cheat into the paint or surrender layup after layup. But the senior is more than a big body. His hands and quick feet make him a threat on both ends of the floor. He put up 10.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game for a spot on the SRV’s all-conference first team last year. “He’s a big-bodied post with a lot of talent and big-game experience,” Homedale coach Cam Long said.
Blake Hansen, Columbia
The senior wing proved himself a threat to score at all three levels last season, averaging 15.5 points and 6.6 rebounds for a spot on the all-conference first team. His size makes him a bear in the paint. He can take opponents off the dribble. And he can always step out and drain a 3 against a sunk-in defense. “He can flat out score the ball,” Vallivue coach Mario Betancourt said. “He is going to be a problem for teams this year.”
Logan Haustveit, Owyhee
No one sacrificed more shots than Haustveit, who transferred to Owyhee after earning first-team all-state honors as a freshman at Mountain View. But the point guard accepted his role and kept the Storm in sync, averaging 8.3 points and 2.1 assists for the state champs. He enters his junior season with offers from Idaho, Utah Valley and UT Arlington. “He’s arguably one of the best defenders in the state,” Rocky Mountain coach Ivory Miles Williams said. “He is very crafty on the offensive end as well.”
Boden Howell, Owyhee
The Oregon native joined the Storm last season and quickly made a name for himself as a dangerous scorer and playmaker to make the all-state second team. The 6-foot-4 guard and Rice signee put up 12.5 points and 2.5 assists per game, using a quick release and pinpoint passes to take over games whenever he desired to. “He’s a versatile player that does everything well,” Ridgevue coach Daniel Vint said.
Owen Kane, Bishop Kelly
The Knights’ floor general keeps everyone organized on both ends of the court. He earned first-team all-conference honors last season after averaging 10 points, 3.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game. Look for him to take on a more assertive role as Bishop Kelly’s only returning starter and the tip of the Knights’ press defense. “He can dominate a game quietly and does a great job leading their team,” Nampa coach Brad Adolfson said.
Alex Ko, Timberline
The second-team All-Idaho pick returns for his third season leading the Wolves’ offense (12.5 ppg, 3.1 rebounds, 1.5 assists). His long-range shooting tops the scouting report. But he’ll blow past any defender who overcommits, and he’ll muscle up any smaller defenders in the paint with his 6-2 frame, making him a matchup nightmare. “Alex shoots the crap out of the ball and forces you to stay glued to him at all times,” Owyhee coach Andy Harrington said.
Cody Luce, Victory Charter
The senior guard can fill the net with the best of them, averaging 18 points a year ago to make the all-conference first team. But he does so much more for the Vipers, stuffing the stat sheet with 4.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.6 steals per game to leave his mark all over the floor. “I love that he doesn’t have to always have the ball to impact a game,” Centennial Baptist coach Brent Mai said. “He moves well off the ball and plays hard defense.”
Lincoln Mathis, Ambrose
His future lies on the baseball field, where he’s committed to the College of Southern Idaho. But the senior guard poses a threat on the hardwood, too, where he averaged 10 points and seven rebounds for the Archers’ state championship team. He steps into a much larger role at point guard this season. “He’s a great all-around player, can shoot the 3 and defend at a high level,” Vision Charter coach Jason George said. “He could very well be the player of the year in our conference.”
David McNamara, Capital
The four-year starter remains a constant and steady hand for the resurgent Capital program. The 6-2 guard serves as a potent scorer for the Eagles, averaging 16.7 points per game last season. But he does much more as an elite playmaker (2.9 assists), defender (2.8 steals) and leader. “He can really shoot it and is able to get to the rack,” Borah coach Jeremy Dennis said. “He really gets Capital going.”
Josh Mizar, Weiser
The ultimate ‘tweener, the senior guard/forward has the soft touch to rain down 3-pointers (13.3 ppg) but owns the muscle to mix it up in the paint (8.9 rebounds). Add in his defensive prowess, and he makes an imprint all over the court, earning second-team all-conference honors last year. “Josh is a very confident shooter and attacker,” McCall-Donnelly coach Jason Tinney said. “His size and skill make him a tough assignment.”
Michael Nance, Boise
Good luck getting a clean look at the basket with the 6-foot-8 senior wing patrolling the paint. Nance averaged a 5A-leading 2.8 blocks per game last winter. But he’s no one-trick pony, putting up 8.3 points and 5.3 rebounds, too. He’ll anchor the Brave as an inside-outside threat on both sides of the court. “He’s a long and lanky big with size who can shoot the ball from 3,” Timberline coach Travis Noble said. “He does a good job protecting the rim on the defensive end as well.”
Sam Penny, McCall-Donnelly
The Lewis-Clark State commit creates headaches for opponents every time he touches the ball. The senior shooting guard can score from all over the floor, averaging 21.5 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.5 steals for SRV Player of the Year and second-team all-state honors. He’s only added to his game. “You are not going to stop him,” Weiser coach Ron Shirts said. “You just hope you can slow him down a little.”
TJ Sanor, Meridian
A host of small colleges are chasing the 6-6 senior guard, believing they’ve found a diamond in the rough. Coaches in the Treasure Valley know all too well how dangerous the three-year starter is. He remains one of the state’s top shooters (12.6 ppg) and finds plenty of other ways to stuff the stat sheet (4.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals, 1.1 blocks). “He’s very tough to guard and a streaky outside shooter,” Mountain View coach Jon Nettleton said. “He’s long and deceptive.”
Mac Savedra, Rocky Mountain
The senior point guard enters the season with a hard-earned reputation as one of the state’s toughest defenders. The three-year starter also serves as the Grizzlies’ top offensive weapon, leading them in scoring each of the past two seasons. That includes 13.3 points per game last year while shooting 43% behind the arc. “His ability to shoot the 3, paired with his ability to finish inside, makes him a matchup nightmare,” Boise coach Manny Varela said. “He can single-handedly take over a game, which makes him a threat at all times.”
Isaiah Telleria, Capital
The three-sport athlete keeps a hand in everything for the Eagles. He can score (10.7 ppg) and create for others (1.8 assists). But his largest asset comes on defense, where he hounds opponents. He even took five charges in a single game at the state tournament last year. “He’s a tenacious defender with a high basketball IQ,” Pickett said. “He’s a coach’s kid, and it shows.”
Tucker Tiddens, Ridgevue
Big men remain in short supply. The Warhawks field one of the state’s best in Tiddens, a four-year starter. The 6-foot-7 forward averaged 15.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists last season to earn second-team all-state and 4A SIC Player of the Year honors, leading Ridgevue to its first district title and first trip to state. “Tucker plays his tail off and is a challenging matchup in the interior post,” Harrington said.
