Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Melba
2. Ambrose
3. Nampa Christian
4. Cole Valley Christian
5. New Plymouth
6. Compass Charter
7. Marsing
8. Vision Charter
Players to Watch
Hudson Hughes, Ambrose
Johnny Sugarman, Ambrose
David Howlett, Cole Valley Christian
Lakota Steele, Cole Valley Christian
Logan Clark, Compass Charter
Jaxon Pew, Compass Charter
Noel Quebrado, Marsing
Cache Beus, Melba
Joe Reiber, Melba
Braden Volkers, Melba
Caden Yett, Nampa Christian
Heydon Pinkston, Vision Charter
Written by: Brandon Baney
The Western Idaho Conference was a fun, competitive, entertaining league in 2020-21. And the league’s coaches think it could be even better in 2021-22.
“It’s a very tough conference, with lots of great programs, and one of the toughest conferences in Idaho," says Vision Charter coach Jason George. “Our conference also has lots of great players returning. It wouldn’t surprise me if any of the top 4 teams win our conference. The remaining teams could definitely be a surprise. I guess that’s why we play the game, we’ll see, it’s a long season and anything can happen.”
While the WIC promises to be rigorous once again, there does appear to be a hierarchy of sorts. Melba and Ambrose are the favorites, followed by Nampa Christian and Cole Valley Christian as dark horse contenders. New Plymouth, Compass Charter, Marsing and Vision Charter all have great players and could spring an upset as well.
The Mustangs earned the official nod atop the preseason coaches poll, and for good reason. Melba returns the WIC Player of the Year in senior shooting guard Joe Reiber. He’ll be complemented by junior point guard Braden Volkers and sophomore post Cache Beus. “(Last year) we had the ability to score with multiple different players,” says coach Spencer Trappett. “They played well as a team and got the ball to the open player.”
Henry Clark’s inside presence and Josh Leavitt’s three-point shooting will be missed, but Trappett says a few varsity newcomers could shift Melba’s identity from a strong offense to a suffocating defense. “At times we struggled with defense both individually and as a team. We will spend lots of practice time getting better defensively,” Trappett says. “Kaden Dayley, Alfredo Orozco and Gabe Shaffer will impact the game on the defensive end. They both have the ability to shut down offensive players as well as get to the basket.”
Joining Melba at state a year ago was Ambrose. The Archers rode a favorable side of the bracket all the way into the championship game, where they fell to St. Maries in a tight, back-and-forth battle. Ambrose did lose Ben Blythe and Josh Johnson to graduation, but head coach Ken Sugarman and his son, senior point guard Johnny Sugarman, are motivated as ever to get back to the championship game.
Fellow senior Hudson Hughes returns to the backcourt as well. In fact, Ambrose figures to be a guard-heavy team this year, as their top eight returnees all play on the perimeter. If they can keep teams honest on the inside, the sky could be the limit at Ambrose this year.
Nampa Christian was picked to finish third in the poll. The Trojans will be led by returning All-WIC performer Caden Yett. "He has a great midrange shot with the ability to score from about anywhere,” says Melba coach Spencer Trappett.
Cole Valley Christian has also caught the attention of coaches around the league. “Cole Valley could be a team that makes some noise this year,” says Compass Charter coach Trevor DeBuhr. “They have a new coach and a bunch of new players that will make them a force in 2A.”
“Cole Valley will surprise some teams,” echoes Trappett. “They will have a core set of returning players along with some new players.”
Cole Valley Christian will be led by first-year head coach Dan Waldeck. He will lean on David Howlett and Lakota Steele for experience early on.
New Plymouth became the third team from the WIC to qualify for state a year ago, as the Pilgrims won a play-in game over Firth. New Plymouth went two-and-out at state, losing a pair of defensive battles against Wendell (29-27) and Bear Lake (30-25). A lot of talented players graduated, including 6’5” Matt Hall, but New Plymouth coach Jeff Lavender is one of the best around. He should have the Pilgrims playing their best ball come February.
Compass Charter lost a lot of players from last year’s team, but not in the traditional way. “We lost only 1 player to graduation, Ethan Shaw. He was a spark on the defensive side of the ball and led our team in charges taken,” says coach Trevor DeBuhr. “But we have added 11 new players to varsity after losing some key players who moved schools. We hope that they will all make an impact in one way or another.” Senior wings Logan Clark and Jaxon Pew are expected to carry the load offensively.
Marsing will have to figure out how to play without 6’8” center Jacob Akeny, who graduated and took his game to Montana Western. “His shot blocking ability and presence in the post is something that will be missed this year,” says coach Tim Little.
The Huskies’ strength this year could instead come from the perimeter, in the form of senior guards Noel Quebrado and Dominic Enrico. “Our shooting percentage both from the floor and free throw line are areas we hope to address,” says Little.
Vision Charter will be moving down to the 1AD1 level next year, but head coach Jason George is still excited to see how his team compares to the rest of the 2A WIC, especially after their season was cut short due to Covid-19 a year ago.
“(We are most looking forward to) the next game,” says George. “I know it’s cliché, but we are looking forward to the next game. After last year, the opportunity to play this game is a blessing and we are grateful for each and every opportunity to compete.”