Boys basketball preview: Ranking the top small-school teams from Southwest Idaho
We surveyed the boys basketball coaches in Southwest Idaho’s 4A, 3A, 2A and 1A leagues, asking them for the teams to beat and players to watch.
Here’s what they had to say.
TEAMS TO WATCH
COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN: Receiving five of a possible six first-place votes in a preseason poll of the league’s coaches, the Chargers appear poised for a big run in their second year in the 4A classification. Prior to moving up, Cole Valley won three straight district championships from 2018 to 2020, and lost in last year’s district title game to McCall-Donnelly. With the majority of their roster back from last season, including three starters, the Chargers are gunning for a fourth straight state tournament appearance. Soren Fraas (13 ppg, 5.5 rebounds), a 6-foot-7 sophomore guard/forward, is a returning 4A SRV all-conference first-team pick, and he’s joined by fellow returning starters Cooper Kollmann (10.5 ppg, 4.1 rebounds) and Bryson Long. Senior guard Kaden Krogh is also back in the lineup after missing last season with an injury. “We have multiple scoring threats, and a collective unselfish mentality,” Cole Valley coach Leif Karlberg said. “I believe that will make it tough for opposing teams to choose what to focus their efforts on taking away.”
NEW PLYMOUTH: The reigning 3A District Three Tournament champions return four starters from their state-qualifying team and six of their top seven players. Seniors Cohen Evans (11.3 ppg, 11.7 rebounds, 54% from field) and Ashton Robinson (10.7 ppg, 7.5 rebounds) each landed on the 3A WIC all-conference first team a year ago, while senior Josiah Gustin (10.9 ppg, 4.5 rebounds, 42% from 3-point range) was a second-team pick. Senior point guard Carter Ziemer (6.7 ppg, 4 rebounds) also returns as a starter. “Our goals are set as high as you can get them, but understand that to reach the top, you have to work, nothing is given,” New Plymouth coach Brad Adolfson said. “They know with how they finished last year, they will get everyone’s best shot.”
AMBROSE: The Archers lost in the third-place game at the 3A state tournament last season, and three starters are back to make another run at state. Consistency has been a hallmark of the Ambrose program, with the Archers advancing to state 11 times over the past 12 seasons. Although Ambrose will need to replace the production of graduated seniors Tristen Trevino and Lincoln Mathis, who each made the All-Idaho team, a more balanced offense should help offset those losses, Ambrose coach Travis Yenor said. Senior forward Mark Yenor (8.5 ppg, 9 rebounds, 1.3 blocks) begins his fourth season on varsity after earning second-team honors in the 3A WIC last season. Junior guard Zane Gammon (5 ppg, 2.1 steals) was an honorable-mention selection, and junior guard Kaelan Custer is also back as a starter. Freshman forward Brendan Campbell is expected to make an immediate impact, and junior guard James Erkamn has potential to stand out in his first season at the varsity level. “This year, our team will be more balanced and consistent, hopefully,” Travis Yenor said. “Each night it could be a different guy who comes up big or has the hot hand.”
LIBERTY CHARTER: The Patriots missed out on a state tournament berth last season following a run of 12 appearances in the previous 13 seasons. Although Liberty Charter will be a young team, the Patriots are expected to contend for the 2A District Three Tournament championship after winning three in a row from 2022 to 2024. Sophomore point guard Tyden Blacker will lead the charge as a returning starter and 2A WIC all-conference honorable-mention pick. Senior post Robbie Colman, the Patriots’ leading rebounder from a year ago, also returns as a starter. “We missed the state tournament for the first time in many years last year,” Liberty Charter coach Seth Stallcop said. “The goal is to remedy that this year.”
GARDEN VALLEY: Fresh off a state quarterfinal appearance in the 1A playoffs, many of the same players who led the football team step to the court to battle for the Wolverines. Garden Valley returns three starters, all of whom were impact players in 2024-25, leading to a state semifinal appearance. Senior point guard Madix Miller was voted to the All-Idaho second team after averaging 13.4 points, 5.3 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game. Senior guard Maxon Yearsley was chosen as the 1A Long Pin’s defensive MVP last season, and senior guard Cody Perrin is back after earning 1A Long Pin second-team honors. “We are fast, and we shoot well,” Garden Valley coach Heather Kelly said. “We are pretty deep for a 1A (team), and these boys love the game.”
TEAM CAPSULES
Teams are listed in order of their predicted finish from the preseason coaches’ polls.
4A SRV
1. COLE VALLEY CHRISTIAN
Last season: 15-9, 7-3 4A SRV
Coach: Leif Karlberg, second season
Players to watch: Soren Fraas, so., G/F; Cooper Kollmann, so., G; Kaden Krogh, sr., F; Bryson Long, sr., F
2. FRUITLAND
Last season: 9-16, 4-6 4A SRV
Coach: Darren Van Hofwegen, third season
Players to watch: Konner Clarich, sr., P; Zeke Van Hofwegen, sr., G; Nate Grosvenor, jr., P
3. HOMEDALE
Last season: 11-11, 6-4 4A SRV
Coach: Cam Long, seventh season
Players to watch: Lukas Hall, sr., P; Alec Campos, jr., W; Chase Roy, sr., P; Alijandro Martinez, so., W
T-4. MCCALL-DONNELLY
Last season: 16-10, 7-3 4A SRV
Coach: Chad Scott, first season
Players to watch: Sam Scott, sr., SG; Michael Pellerin, sr., PF; Maxton Stoddard, jr., PG
T-4. WEISER
Last season: 17-7, 6-4 4A SRV
Coach: Ron Shirts, third season
Players to watch: Owen Funke, sr., G; Garrett Walker, jr., F; Zayne Crossley, jr., F
6. PAYETTE
Last season: 1-20, 0-10 4A SRV
Coach: Chris Schultz, second season
Players to watch: Michael Ocampi, sr., G/W; Calvin Shaffer, sr., P; Damian Capener, jr., W; Kayden Nunez, jr., G
3A WIC
1. NEW PLYMOUTH
Last season: 18-9, 7-5 3A WIC
Coach: Brad Adolfson, first season
Players to watch: Cohen Evans, sr., F/C; Ashton Robinson, sr., F; Josiah Gustin, sr., G; Carter Ziemer, sr., PG
2. AMBROSE
Last season: 16-10, 10-2 3A WIC
Coach: Travis Yenor, first season
Players to watch: Mark Yenor, sr., F; Zane Gammon, jr., G; Brendan Campbell, fr., F; James Erkamn, jr., G
3. NAMPA CHRISTIAN
Last season: 12-12, 9-3 3A WIC
Coach: Reid Davis, first season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
4. MARSING
Last season: 12-13, 4-8 3A WIC
Coach: Lamon Loucks, second season
Players to watch: Juan Ponce, sr., G; Caleb Smith, sr., P; Spencer Vanosdall, so., G
5. MELBA
Last season: 7-16, 6-6 3A WIC
Coach: David Lenz, second season
Players to watch: Isaiah Shoemaker, sr., G; Owen Hansen, jr., G; Tavin Heritage, sr., F
6. PARMA
Last season: 11-12, 6-6 3A WIC
Coach: Tanner Kramer, third season
Players to watch: Nathan Compas, sr., PG; Trevor Mann, sr., SF; Rommie Lewis III, jr., PF
7. VISION CHARTER
Last season: 3-20, 0-12 3A WIC
Coach: Jason George, fifth season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
2A WIC
1. LIBERTY CHARTER
Last season: 10-14, 6-4 2A WIC
Coach: Seth Stallcop, 20th season
Players to watch: Tyden Blacker, so., PG; Robbie Colman, sr., P; Alexander Xavier, so., W
2. COMPASS CHARTER
Last season: 16-9, 6-4 2A WIC
Coach: Shane Tolman, third season
Players to watch: Logan Morris, sr., PG; Payton Hymas, so., PF; Carson Roberts, jr., PG
3. NOTUS
Last season: 14-10, 5-5 2A WIC
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
4. NORTH STAR CHARTER
Last season: 14-10, 5-5 2A WIC
Coach: Andy Horning, first season
Players to watch: Logan Ellis, jr., F; Karam Kanda, jr., SG; Jake Hauch, jr., F; Tim Baros, jr., F
5. RIVERSTONE
Last season: 21-4, 9-1 2A WIC
Coach: Chauncee Mallory, first season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
6. VICTORY CHARTER
Last season: 14-11, 9-1 2A WIC
Coach: Carter Baker, first season
Players to watch: Elijah Perez, jr., G; Gabriel Gomez, so., G; Mark Beliy, jr., F
7. RIMROCK
Last season: 15-9, 5-5 2A WIC
Coach: Wylee Aquiso, third season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
8. WILDER
Last season: 9-13, 6-4 2A WIC
Coach: Rudy Cortez, second season
Players to watch: Not provided.
9. IDAHO CITY
Last season: 3-15, 0-10 2A WIC
Coach: Al Hansen, fourth season
Players to watch: Mike Kazmerik, sr., P; Issac Manor, so, G; Shawn Rosette, jr., G; Rocco Olivera, sr., P/W
10. CENTENNIAL BAPTIST
Last season: 6-14, 2-8 2A WIC
Coach: Trey Waggoner, first season
Players to watch: Caleb West, sr., PG; Karson Sams, jr., F; Gavin Kolb, sr., G
11. TREASURE VALLEY CLASSICAL
Last season: New program
Coach: Gary Jensen, third season
Players to watch: Cutler Baughman, so., P; Tyson Pryor, sr., P; Braden Walker, sr., PG
12. GEM STATE
Last season: 2-13, 2-8 2A WIC
Coach: Benjamin White, second season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
1A LONG PIN
1. GARDEN VALLEY
Last season: 20-10, 10-2 1A Long Pin
Coach: Heather Kelly, sixth season
Players to watch: Madix Miller, sr., G; Maxon Yearsley, sr., G; Cody Perrin, sr., G
2. CASCADE
Last season: 18-8, 10-2 1A Long Pin
Coach: Zack Redmon, first season
Players to watch: Finley WIlkins, sr., G; Will Huckaby, jr., F
T-3. COUNCIL
Last season: 16-7, 10-2 1A Long Pin
Coach: JC Tucker, third season
Players to watch: Garrison Zeilinski, sr., PG; Owen Hatfield, sr., G; Jim Tucker, so., G
T-3. SALMON RIVER
Last season: 7-16, 2-10 1A Long Pin
Coach: Mike Shepherd, fifth season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
5. GREENLEAF
Last season: 11-14, 5-7 1A Long Pin
Coach: Eric Christianson, fifth season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
6. TRI-VALLEY
Last season: 5-15, 4-8 1A Long Pin
Coach: Lee Nichols
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
7. HORSESHOE BEND
Last season: 1-21, 1-11 1A Long Pin
Coach: Terrik Foote, second season
Did not respond to the Statesman’s preseason survey.
