PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Cash Davis, Bishop Kelly
Conor Goss, Bishop Kelly
Eli Aredondo, Caldwell
Sawyer Hope-Audet, Caldwell
Easton Lott, Caldwell
Tavin Jones, Columbia
Max Keller, Columbia
Scott Brady, Emmett
Tye Cornwall, Middleton
Dominick Almaraz, Nampa
Sam Bower, Skyview
James Smutny, Skyview
Dominik Betancourt, Vallivue
Xander Wilson, Vallivue
Written by: Lucas Gebhart
Four schools finished last season with 16 or more wins, leaving Bishop Kelly and Skyview out of the 5A state tournament despite their strong records.
All four return a roster-full of talent this year, but no school in this league returns more talent than Vallivue, making the Falcons a breakout candidate.
With Caldwell returning most of its scoring as well, the Cougars could also potentially play their way into state tournament talks, making this year’s state bids even tougher to come by.
MIDDLETON
2024-25 Record: 12-2 (18-9) – State Consolation Runner-ups
Head Coach: Gilbert Dickason, 1st Season
Middleton returns the league’s Player of the Year, Tye Cornwall, who helped lead the Vikings to another District Championship last season.
The Vikings finished the season as the SIC’s best scoring defense, giving up just over 50 points per game, making Middleton a top five defense statewide.
After finishing with 18 wins, Middleton will look to repeat as district champions without all-conference forward Blake Bishop, but return Drew Holman, an all-conference honorable mention.
BISHOP KELLY
2024-25 Record: 12-2 (15-10) – Lost Winner-to-State-Play-in Game at Districts
Head Coach: Andrew Ammann, 1st Season
New head coach Andrew Ammann enters his first season at BK after taking over for Ryan Kerns, who led the program for 11 seasons.
Under Kerns, BK consistently turned in one of the state’s best defenses, finishing last season as the SIC’s second best scoring defense, led by SIC’s Defensive Player of the Year, Owen Kane.
With Kane and Kerns now gone, Ammann will look to continue BK’s stingy defensive identity while players like Cash Davis take charge offensively.
Davis was one of the league’s best guards last year finishing his sophomore season with a second-team all-conference honor.
SKYVIEW
2024-25 Record: 10-4 (19-6) – Lost in State Play-in Game
Head Coach: Aaron Sanders, 18th Season
Although the Hawks lost two key players in all-conference point guard Kaden Salvadori and second-team guard Brady Schelhaas, Skyview still returns plenty of key pieces from last year’s squad, which came within one win of the state tournament.
Among the returning pieces are two sophomores, Sam Bower and Johnny Merrell along with senior James Smutny.
The three were all honorable mentions last season and helped Skyview become Idaho’s highest scoring offense, averaging just over 68 points per game, a total higher than last year’s state champion, Preston.
“I’m excited to have a lot of core players back from last year along with some new additions that should make us deeper and more athletic,” head coach Aaron Sanders said.
COLUMBIA
2024-25 Record: 8-6 (16-13) – State Consolation Champions
Head Coach: Blaine Wright, 2nd Season
Last year’s state consolation champions return all-conference wing, Max Keller, and will roll out one of the state’s youngest starting lineups, starting a freshman and three sophomores along with Keller.
Keller enters the new season as Columbia’s go-to player, replacing Blake Hansen, who averaged a double-double for the Wildcats last season.
“Blake was a do everything guy,” head coach Blaine Wright said. “He was a huge reason for our success last season.”
Wright says that Columbia will add more depth this season and pointed to several players he says have strong shooting abilities, including Tavin Jones, Dom Reeping and newcomers Lincoln Erickson and JR Whitworth.
This depth and deep threat ability should help Columbia overcome its young and somewhat undersized roster.
“Having added the depth around them will give us an opportunity to have a special season,” he said. “We look forward to seeing what this team can become together.”
VALLIVUE
2024-25 Record: 8-6 (11-12) – Lost in District Elimination Semifinals
Head Coach: Mario Betancourt, 7th Season
With six players back who logged tons of minutes last season, the Falcons appear ready to make a big jump this season.
Back this season are two second-team all-conference selections in seniors Dominik Betancourt and Xander Wilson, along with two honorable mentions in sophomore Victor Gutierrez and senior Zakary Hogg. Also back is last year’s SIC 6th Man of the Year, Noah Mitchell.
“All players can attack the rim, so getting paint touches and kick outs are going to be big for us,” said head coach Mario Betancourt. “The boys share the basketball, and it will be fun to watch.”
CALDWELL
2024-25 Record: 4-10 (10-14) – Lost in District Elimination Semifinals
Head Coach: Rick Tigges, 5th Season
Caldwell returns four players who averaged 8 or more points last season, giving the Cougars plenty of scoring depth.
Seniors Eli Arrendondo, Sawyer Hope-Audet and Peyton Walters are all back for their final year while junior Sergio Gaxiola returns for his junior campaign.
All three were all-conference honorable mentions last season.
“If we can truly share the ball at all times this year and avoid defensive lapses, I think we can make a move towards the top of the standings,” head coach Rick Tigges said.
EMMETT
2024-25 Record: 2-12 (3-20) – Two-and-Out at Districts
Head Coach: Dustin Lopez, 3rd Season
Emmett struggled last season, winning just three of its 23 games and one of their first 13.
But the Huskies return Scott Brady, a second-team all-conference forward returning for his senior season.
NAMPA
2024-25 Record: 0-14 (3-20) – Two-and-Out at Districts
Head Coach: Ryan Kinnaman, 1st Season
Nampa’s first season in the lower classification didn’t go quite as planned.
The Bulldogs went winless in league play and collected just three out-of-conference wins, beating Jerome twice and 2A Wilder.
The program is now turning to new head coach, Ryan Kinnaman to get things back on track.
Senior Dominick Almaraz returns for his senior season after receiving an honorable mention as a junior.