6A SIC boys basketball preview: Ranking the preseason favorites, dark horses
A new season of Idaho high school boys basketball is underway. But the preseason rankings don’t foresee many changes.
Powerhouse Owyhee finished as the unanimous favorite in the 6A Southern Idaho Conference coaches’ poll conducted by the Idaho Statesman for the second straight year. But no one gets trophies for preseason rankings.
The rest of the Treasure Valley-based league will spend all season gunning for the Storm. Can anyone take them down? We broke down all the top threats and the preseason rankings below.
1. OWYHEE
Last season: 23-4, 11-0 6A SIC
Coach: Andy Harrington, fifth season
Players to watch: Logan Haustveit, sr., PG; Canaan Magness, sr., PG; Jordan Allen, sr., PG; Ty Read, sr., PG
Outlook: Since opening four years ago, the Storm have won four straight district titles, three state championships and are 79-4 vs. Idaho opponents. So it’s no surprise to find Owyhee as the unanimous No. 1 pick in the league’s preseason coaches’ poll. Haustveit is the only returning starter from last year’s historically dominant squad. The Utah Valley signee is a two-time, first-team all-state selection and remains the driving force. But Owyhee reloaded with a pair of key transfers. Magness (22 ppg) was a first-team all-state selection in Montana last year and has committed to NNU. And Read will pose a problem in the paint as a 6-10, 225-pound force who averaged a double-double in Oregon last year before committing to The College of Idaho. Fitting the new pieces into the rotation will take time, but Harrington said Owyhee features its deepest roster and arguably its largest front court yet.
2. BOISE
Last season: 12-16, 4-7 6A SIC
Coach: Manny Varela, 11th season
Players to watch: Luke Soltau, sr., G; Isaac Thacker, jr., G; Harrison Bell, so., W; Eli Rich, sr., G
Outlook: The Brave were Idaho’s Cinderella team last year, finishing ninth out of 12 teams in their own league before taking second at district and reaching the state semifinals. But with four returning starters, Boise won’t sneak up on anyone this year and remains a favorite for its first state tournament trophy since 1997. Soltau, a second-team all-state selection (12.1 ppg, 3.9 assists), leads the veteran group as a pass-first point guard. Thacker (13.6 ppg) remains the top scoring threat, and Rich (2 ppg) adds a larger offensive role to his duties as the defensive ace. But look for Bell (4 ppg) to bring a new element as a 6-foot-9, inside-out threat after breaking onto the squad as a freshman last year.
3. CAPITAL
Last season: 17-6, 8-3 6A SIC
Coach: Blas Telleria, fifth season
Players to watch: Quincey Clay, so., G; Daiken Lowe, jr., F; David Kuol, sr., F; Tannen Everhart, sr., G
Outlook: The Eagles looked like a state trophy contender last year, spending several weeks ranked in the state media poll and setting the 6A SIC’s conference record for made 3-pointers (196) for the second year in a row. A two-and-out performance at district dashed those hopes, but Capital returns expected to contend again. Clay (12.7 ppg, 2.9 assists) remains the top reason why after taking the league by storm as a freshman. He and Lowe (4 ppg, 1.2 blocks) are the only two returning starters. But Lowe will pair with the 6-11 Kuol to give Capital an inside presence it lacked in recent years, meaning opponents can’t just sit and guard the 3-point line all night.
4. CENTENNIAL
Last season: 13-8, 6-5 6A SIC
Coach: Josh Aipperspach, 11th season
Players to watch: Gabe Eddins, sr., SG; Henry Johnson, sr., PG/SG; Tobin Knudson, jr., SG
Outlook: A shocking loss to last-place Ridgevue in the district play-in round ended the Patriots’ run early last season. Now three starters return looking to prove Centennial belongs in the postseason conversation. Those chances start with Eddins (21.6 ppg), the reigning league player of the year. The first-team all-state selection led the SIC in scoring each of the past two years and remains the heavy favorite for a third scoring crown. He’ll pair with a do-it-all weapon in Johnson (7.3 ppg, 7.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists) and a high flyer in Knudson (7.1 ppg) to make Centennial a potent offensive threat. But Aipperspach said the key to taking the next step starts with improved rebounding.
5. TIMBERLINE
Last season: 18-11, 8-3 6A SIC
Coach: Travis Noble, eighth season
Players to watch: Kole Hudson, sr., PG/SG; Collin Morris, jr., SF; JD Focarile, sr., PG; Benton Bates, sr., F
Outlook: After taking third at state last year, the Wolves hit the reset button with just one returning starter in Hudson (9.6 ppg), a deadly shooter who will also handle the ball. Morris (6.8 ppg) provides another veteran option as a 6-foot-7, deadly shooter who served as Timberline’s sixth man last year. But varsity experience remains in short supply behind that pair. Noble said to expect another hard-nosed defensive squad. The Wolves built 6A’s toughest defense again last year (48.5 ppg). How well Timberline commits to its trademark, disciplined man-to-man defense will determine how far the Wolves go this season.
T-6. KUNA
Last season: 12-12, 4-7 6A SIC
Coach: Kelly Bokn, first season
Players to watch: Emanuel Chabuka, jr., W; Jackson Edwards, sr., F; Bridger Barrus, jr., W
Outlook: The Kavemen made a big-name coaching hire in the offseason, convincing Bokn to come out of retirement. He spent 30 years coaching in Oregon, posting a career record of 547-237 (.698) while winning 14 state tournament trophies and 18 league coach of the year awards. He inherits a squad with three returning starters, including its top two scorers in Chabuka (10.5 ppg) and Edwards (9.4 ppg). He said he’s impressed by Kuna’s size, experience and depth. But he cautioned it may take time for the Kavemen to learn a new system and set of expectations.
T-6. MERIDIAN
Last season: 15-11, 7-4 6A SIC
Coach: Jeff Sanor, ninth season
Players to watch: Drake Hope, jr., W; Behr Ryden, sr., F; Sammy Kahn, jr., PG
Outlook: Graduation hit the Warriors hard, leaving just one returning starter from a state tournament qualifier. But overlook Meridian at your own peril. Hope (7.3 ppg) spent most of his time last season facilitating. Now the 6-7 junior will take on a featured role on a young squad. He’ll pair with another forward in Kahn to give the Warriors plenty of length. Sanor said that size and the Warriors’ toughness will build the most physical Meridian team in years, creating a defense that can dictate the pace and style of the game.
8. ROCKY MOUNTAIN
Last season: 10-12, 4-7 6A SIC
Coach: Ivory Miles-Williams, third season
Players to watch: Tanner Sweaney, sr., G; Brock Stevens, sr., F; Ryker Hammond, sr., PG
Outlook: Four straight seasons without a district tournament victory sent the Grizzlies searching for answers. Miles-Williams believes they found them in the offseason weight room, breeding a toughness and edge Rocky Mountain often lacked, especially on the defensive end. Two starters return for the new-look team. That pair includes Sweaney (10.2 ppg), a dangerous shooter who can change a game in the blink of an eye, and Stevens (9.6 ppg, 5.6 rebounds), another long-range shooter who can also get to the rim.
9. EAGLE
Last season: 13-9, 5-6 6A SIC
Coach: Cody Pickett, sixth season
Players to watch: Evan Vittoe, sr., PG; Bryant Bigelow, jr., G; Lucas Kunz, so., G; Aiden Kindrick, so., F
Outlook: The Mustangs’ youth movement enters its second year. Eagle may return four starters, but Vittoe (4.3 ppg, 4.7 assists) is the only one entering his senior season. Pickett said all that youth means the Mustangs will commit significant minutes to four sophomores and a freshman. But he called the group hungry and close-knit after spending the summer traveling up and down the West Coast. Bigelow (6.1 ppg) takes on the leadership and scoring load, while Kunz (5.1 ppg) and Kindrick (3 ppg) cut their varsity teeth as freshmen last year.
10. MOUNTAIN VIEW
Last season: 10-11, 4-7 6A SIC
Coach: Jon Nettleton, 21st season
Players to watch: Cooper Patterson, sr., F; Brody Tolman, sr., W; Boman Bills, jr., G; Kian Foy, sr., PG
Outlook: After falling short of qualifying for district, Mountain View brings back two starters and seven players with varsity experience looking to climb back into contention. Patterson (12.4 ppg, 7.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists) leads that group as Mountain View’s top scorer and rebounder a year ago. He’ll lead the team on both ends of the court alongside Tolman (9.2 ppg). Nettleton pointed to Mountain View’s defense and chemistry as reasons for a bounce-back season. Size remains in short supply, so he said the Mavericks will need to overcome that deficit with effort and energy.
11. RIDGEVUE
Last season: 11-15, 2-9 6A SIC
Coach: Tyler Hoyt, first season
Players to watch: Kaimana Nielson, sr., G; Gavin Malvini, sr., F; Brock Bastian, jr., G
Outlook: The Warhawks took their lumps in their first season in the state’s top classification, finishing last in the SIC’s regular-season standings before pulling a pair of upsets at district. Now Ridgevue heads into its second straight season with a new coach. Hoyt said to expect a more up-tempo style and multiple scoring threats. Nielsen (12.2 ppg) stands at the top of that list as a weapon on both ends of the floor as a long, heady playmaker. But contending with the 6A SIC’s power night in and night out will take a renewed focus on rebounding and building a tougher defense, Hoyt said.
12. BORAH
Last season: 12-15, 3-8 6A SIC
Coach: Mark Bolland, first season
Players to watch: Tyus Quintero, sr., PG; Draycn Lowe, sr., F; Auggie Fuss, sr., G
Outlook: A senior-laden Borah squad made a shocking run last year, finishing 11th out of 12 teams in the regular-season standings before making it to state and reaching the consolation final. But the offseason saw the Lions lose their veteran coach and nearly their entire lineup, leaving Quintero (1.6 ppg) as the only player with any varsity minutes under his belt. Bolland said the young group features plenty of depth and quickness on the guard line. But Borah enters the season as one of the league’s undersized squads.
This story was originally published December 2, 2025 at 4:15 PM.
