PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Karson Sams, Centennial Baptist
Caleb West, Centennial Baptist
Payton Hymas, Compass Charter
Logan Morris, Compass Charter
Michael Kaczmarek, Idaho City
Rocco Olvera, Idaho City
Tyden Blacker, Liberty Charter
Logan Ellis, North Star Charter
Caleb Cudaback, Notus
Derrick Huter, Notus
Hays Black, Rimrock
Emerson Bava, Riverstone
Gabe Gomez, Victory Charter
Elijah Perez, Victory Charter
Gelacio Martinez, Wilder
Written by: Zac Dean
The Western Idaho Conference delivered plenty of neck-and-neck finishes last season. Victory Charter and Riverstone finished at 9-1 in the conference standings, with the Vipers edging the Otters for the top seed in the conference tournament. Subsequently, three teams tied for third place in the conference standings, three teams tied for sixth place and two teams tied for ninth place. The Vipers and Otters qualified for the state tournament, with Riverstone having the last laugh in both the conference championship and state consolation games. Compass Charter survived the gauntlet of district tournament survive-and-advance games to secure a state play-in berth.
The conference is gearing up for another traffic jam in 2025-26. Victory Charter has the pieces to be a conference favorite again while Riverstone and Wilder will have fresh looks. That opens the door for another tight conference race that could include Compass Charter, Liberty Charter, Rimrock and Notus. The conference’s newest team, Treasure Valley Classical, will play on an independent schedule in the regular season but will add to the chaos come conference tournament play.
VICTORY CHARTER
The Vipers retool after the departure of conference coach of the year David Weaver and conference player of the year Cody Luce. Despite the losses, new head coach Carter Baker inherits a deep team that looks to dominate the conference once again.
Forward Gabe Gomez received conference honorable mention accolades as a freshman last season. Baker calls him a dual threat player that’s physical on both ends and can create shots for anyone on the floor. Juniors Elijah Perez and Jude Graham add to the quality offensive personnel, with newcomers Derek Holt, Oliver Kunz and Mark Belly expected to make immediate impacts.
RIVERSTONE
The Otters had a season to remember in 2024-25: A 21-4 overall record, a 9-1 regular season conference record and the conference tournament championship led by the senior trio of Conrad Ness, Amer Sangha and Finn Simon. Now they go full reboot, as nine of their 10-man roster last season were seniors. They’ll also have a new head coach in Chauncee Mallory.
No other information was provided.
WILDER
The Wildcats’ strong 2024-25 season ended on a sour note with three straight losses, including conference tournament upsets by Rimrock and Notus. They’ll look to contend with the conference powerhouses once again, but their number one priority is replacing last season’s first-team all-conference selection Kyevan Trejo.
No other information was provided.
COMPASS CHARTER
The Aviators snuck into the 2A state play-in game before falling to the eventual state runner-up in Kamiah last season. Now they look to replace the star foursome of Kellen Walbuck, Beau Bristol, Jayden Horn and Mason Bennett.
Head coach Shane Tolman will turn to sophomore power forward Payton Hymas and senior point guard Logan Morris. They’ll lead a motion offense that looks to capitalize on perimeter shooting. New guards Treyton Hibbard and Carson Roberts will also be heavily involved, but an x-factor to this season will be shot efficiency from beyond the arc.
LIBERTY CHARTER
The Patriots were one game shy of the state play-in game last season. Despite the finish, they return Tyden Blacker after a promising freshman season. That will help fill the void of last season’s star senior and 2025 second-team all-conference selection Stephen Roskam.
No other information was provided.
RIMROCK
The Raiders surprised many in last season’s conference tournament with an upset win over Wilder. That headlined a strong season that ended at 15-9 overall. Hays Black is the only returner from last season’s first-team or second-team all-conference lists, and head coach Wylee Aquiso will ask the junior to lead once more.
No other information was provided.
NOTUS
The Pirates started last season 6-2 before finishing with a middle-of-the-pack 5-5 conference record. But head coach Brad Huter believes his team will climb the conference ladder this season, as four star upperclassmen are set to return.
Seniors Derrick Huter and Caleb Cudaback will lead the team, with Dehaven Wilson and Jon Lungu headlining a star quartet of juniors. Huter says his players are built to keep them in games, particularly on the offensive end.
NORTH STAR CHARTER
The Huskies’ dynamic duo from last season splits with the graduation of Kyle Wheeler. Junior Logan Ellis returns as their star player, with new head coach Andy Horning looking to build a strong supporting cast around him.
No other information was provided.
GEM STATE
The Jaguars and head coach Benjamin White look to improve a defense that surrendered 59.3 points per game last season. They’ll also turn to new faces after the graduation of seven players from last season’s roster.
No other information was provided.
CENTENNIAL BAPTIST
The Mustangs look to turn things around after two 5-game losing streaks and losing four of their final five in 2024-25. New head coach Trey Waggoner says that time could be now, as younger varsity players from last season return and look to develop.
Senior point guard Caleb West will lead the way. Waggoner points to downhill driving and distributing as West’s strengths, which should help in transition offense and getting others open for shots. Defensively, junior forward Karson Sims is the leader on a strong rebounding team.
IDAHO CITY
The Wildcats failed to win a conference game last season, but head coach Al Hansen returns three players that should give the squad a boost. Junior guard Shaun Rousset headlines the backcourt group while senior post Michael Kazmerik headlines the frontcourt group. Senior Rocco Olivera adds versatility as their primary wing.
No other information was provided.
TREASURE VALLEY CLASSICAL
The Timberwolves join as the newest member of the conference, becoming an official Idaho High School Activities Association member this season. They will play with an independent schedule and can compete at the conference tournament. Gary Jensen will head coach the team.
No other information was provided.