Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Valley
2. Wendell
3. Declo
Players to Watch
Diego Torres, Wendell
Zane Kelsey, Wendell
Kaden Ramsey, Declo
Omar Campos, Valley
Kyle Christensen, Valley
Written by: Keller Sherman
Like many three team leagues, just because a team finishes with a perfect conference record does not mean they are in Boise representing their league on the first weekend of March. That held true when Valley posted a 4-0 conference record, but was upset by Wendell in the district tournament to be denied a bid to state. Valley will need to up their play in tight situations if they are to avoid the same fate this season. Valley head coach Brian Hardy knows his team’s work will be cut out for them this season as he believes “all three teams are fairly evenly matched right now. It will be a fun race.”
While Valley finished 4-0 in conference and 19-4 overall, the Vikings failed to make it to the state tournament in their first season at the 2A classification, falling 47-44 in the district championship game to Wendell. Head coach Brian Hardy lists five key players that will be important to the team’s success this season in Omar Campos, Kyle Christensen, Jadon Johnson, Zander Roseborough, and Jesus Hernandez ,with the former two receiving all-conference honors. Valley also lost three key players to graduation last season in Garrett Christensen whom Hardy describes as a “strong defender and versatile guard”, Rawlin Godfrey, an “excellent perimeter shooter”, and Brody Mussmann who excelled at “rebounding and inside presence.” As a newcomer to the Canyon Conference a majority of Valley’s traditional matchups come in non conference play from the Vikings’ time at the 1A Division I classification, but Hardy still realizes that “Wendell and Declo are our important conference games.”
Hardy’s team took pride in being selfless and balanced last season. “I think that makes a team tougher to prepare for,” he said. Scoring droughts also proved to be costly at times for the Vikings last season and that is something that he will look to improve this season. “I want us to continue battling through dry spells and take care of the ball so we get quality shots each possession,” Hardy said.
While Wendell finished second with a 2-2 conference record and a 17-9 overall record, the Trojans played their best basketball of the season when it mattered most, defeating Valley in the district championship game and finishing 4th at state. Diego Torres and Zane Kelsey return for Wendell this season as the team looks to get back to the state tournament yet again.
It was a disappointing season for Declo in 2020-21 as the Hornets finished 8-14 overall and 0-4 in conference play. In Declo coach Jacoby Fox’s eyes, “all returners will be key” if the Hornets are to right the ship this season. Declo brings in two new assistants in Regen Povlsen and Garrett Powell. Games against Declo’s two league foes Valley and Wendell excite Fox “because they are quality teams that will be good challenges for us in conference play.”