Players to Watch:
Lily Ortiz, Aberdeen
Emerita Carrillo, Aberdeen
Elise Kelsey, Bear Lake
Sheridan Brown, Malad
Beth McClain, Malad
Jinettie Garbett, Soda Springs
Zippy Somsen, Soda Springs
Natalie Lemmon, West Side
Written by: Christian Weaner
With new head coaches leading four of the five programs and some of the best players in the league graduating after last season, the 2A South East Idaho Conference (SEIC) has a lot of unknowns heading into the year.
In 2021-22, the SEIC featured two of the best teams in the state in runner-up Aberdeen and consolation champion Soda Springs.
While the Tigers lost many of their key players from last season, the Cardinals have most of their squad coming back, and they hope to compete for a state title in 2022-23.
Andrew Jolley, Aberdeen's JV coach for the past two seasons, was promoted to head coach this year, and he has a lot of work to do as the Tigers turn the page from their senior-laden 2021-22 team.
Last season's 2A Player of the Year Elle Watson, Second Team All-State nominees Hope Driscoll and Yasmine Ortiz and Second Team All-Conference performer and lockdown defender Courtney Phillips have all graduated from Aberdeen, but the Tigers do return several upperclassmen who will look to push the pace this season.
"On offense we will look to use our speed to push the ball up the court quickly," Jolley said. "[Seniors] Lilly Ortiz and Emerita Carrillo do a great job of finding gaps in defenses and exploiting them. They work well with each other and help each other to create open looks."
Jolley is also looking to seniors posts Rachel Peck and Whitney Park as well as junior guards Adelia Rowlan, Lauren Driscoll, Callie Adamson, and Jackie Esquivias to all make an impact this season. The Tigers are currently projected to finish fourth in the SEIC according to the preseason coaches poll, but Jolley and his team believe they have what it takes to remain competitive in what should be a balanced league.
"This conference can really go to anyone this year," Jolley said. "All teams have been continually getting better which pushes the competition and competitiveness within our conference."
The one team that could stand out above the pack is Soda Springs, who went 8-0 in regular season conference play a year ago and finished 16-13 overall. The Cardinals have last season's First Team All-League nominee Jinettie Garbett back for her junior season and other All-SEIC performers Zippy Somsen, Taylor Billman and Alexa Moldenhauer are all seniors this year.
West Side had a respectable 15-8 record last season but missed out on the 2A State Tournament after losing two tight contests against Aberdeen in the district tournament. The Pirates, led by Head Coach Bridgett Checketts, lost Sienna Fuller and Jocie Phillips — two All-Conference performers from last season — but they have Second Team All-SEIC selection Natalie Lemmon back for her senior year.
The Pirates are tied for second place in the preseason SEIC poll with Bear Lake, who returns 2021-22 All-Conference honorable mention Elise Kelsey. The Bears are hoping to improve upon their 6-18 finish from last season.
First-year Malad Head Coach Trevor Jones is inheriting a program that finished 1-21 last year, but which also has a lot of promising young talent coming up.
With seniors Beth McClain and Sheridan Brown, juniors Hallie Horsley, Oaklie Hebdon and Preslie Bennett and sophomore Riglee Peterson all returning with varsity experience, the Dragons hope to play hard and compete in the SEIC. Malad should also get a boost from incoming freshman Izzy Haycock, Olivia Nelson and Brynlee Jones.
"The Lady Dragons will look to develop their program and with so many returning players and adding some depth it should be an exciting year," Jones said. "These Malad girls have potential. If they put their mind to it, work together and push each other, they should start earning some respect. Each game they add experience they will get better and better."