PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Audrey Castaneda, Burley
Ady Olmos, Burley
Jensen Cook, Jerome
Sawyer Garrard, Jerome
Kenlei Wageman, Minico
Juli Donez, Mountain Home
Lexi Longhurst, Mountain Home
Elektra Cresswell, Twin Falls
Leilani Ellis, Twin Falls
Written by: Dallin Fryar
If there was one word to describe the 5A Great Basin Conference in 2024-25, it was youth. All but two of the All-Conference 1st and 2nd Team members were underclassmen, including conference MVP Lexi Longhurst of Mountain Home. Three different teams (Mountain Home, Jerome, and Burley) recorded at least 15 wins, but only two of them were able to qualify for the state tournament.
With that being said, Twin Falls came within one victory of stealing the second qualifying spot from Jerome after upsetting Burley in the district tournament. Mountain Home and Jerome both brought home trophies from the state tournament, and this year will be looking to bring home the first girls basketball state championship trophy to the GBC since Burley won in 2022.
MOUNTAIN HOME
Entering this season anchored by six players with varsity experience, 19th-year head coach Brent Keener has a strong foundation for his squad that brought home the 2024-25 3rd Place Trophy. Player of the Year Junior Lexi Longhurst returns as the Tigers’ catalyst, pushing the pace and generating offense in transition. She’ll be joined in the backcourt with 1st Team All-Conference senior wing Juli Donez, who is capable of taking over stretches of a game.
Senior guards Payton Blodgett and Anya Garza, two reliable perimeter shooters who fit Keener’s goal of improving the team’s three-point efficiency, will stretch the floor for the Tigers. They will complement Mountain Home’s desire to play fast, attack early, and create space for Longhurst and Donez to operate.
Senior Kloey Borgen steps into a larger role after the graduation of standout post Ava Johnson, who served as the team’s top rebounder and a defensive anchor. Replacing Johnson’s physical presence will be a team-wide effort, and Keener emphasizes defensive rebounding as a major point of focus.
Defensively, the Tigers will continue to lean on their matchup zone, an alignment that consistently disrupts opponents. This year, however, Keener plans to extend pressure more frequently to create turnovers. Borgen, Donez, Blodgett, and defender Jemma Schutte are expected to set the tone with their activity and ball pressure.
Team chemistry should be a significant strength. Many of Mountain Home’s returners have been two or three year starters, and Keener believes that familiarity will translate into improved execution. Unselfish play, extra passes, and connected decision-making are central to what the Tigers hope to accomplish offensively.
JEROME
After leading their team to the consolation trophy in 2024-25, 1st Team All-Conference senior guard Jensen Cook returns as one of the team’s most reliable veterans, while fellow 1st Team All-Conference sophomore guard Sawyer Garrard is ready to take another step forward after a promising debut season. Together, they form a backcourt capable of pushing tempo and creating consistent offensive opportunities.
The Tigers also return senior guards Ellie Helmer and Peyton Thompson, along with junior guard Sayuri Sedano, rounding out a deep and versatile perimeter group. Thompson brings needed toughness and interior presence as a senior post, giving Jerome flexibility in lineups and the ability to play inside-out when needed. Head coach Kelly Williams describes the roster as “well-rounded with lots of threats,” and expects multiple players to make meaningful contributions on any given night.
Jerome will rely on a committee approach to replace the production of key graduates Nyla Holtzen and Emma Allen. Holtzen served as the team’s primary on-ball defender and tone-setter on the perimeter, while Allen brought inside scoring, rebounding, and floor-spacing ability. Despite losing Holtzen and Allen, Coach Williams hopes the team can improve as a whole in the paint.
Quickness will be the defining characteristic of Jerome’s defense. Williams plans to pressure the ball, speed up opponents, and use the team’s athleticism to dictate pace. The Tigers excel when they can turn defense into offense, using deflections and tempo to their advantage. A key point of emphasis will be maintaining defensive control in the key.
On team chemistry Coach Williams said, “It’s always fun to watch them come together and find what their strengths are.” The Tigers’ balance, adaptability, and willingness to grow collectively could make them one of the conference’s more dynamic units.
Ultimately, Jerome’s success will hinge on its ability to control the interior on both ends of the floor.
Williams identifies big inside defense and owning the blocks as the team’s X-factor this season. If the Tigers can pair improved rebounding and interior presence with their natural quickness and perimeter depth, they have the pieces to take a big step forward in conference play.
BURLEY
A way to describe Burley’s 2024-25 season would be that they beat every team they were supposed to beat, but could not win the 50-50 games. 15 wins last season were the most Burley has had since 2022’s near undefeated state championship season.
After only losing two seniors and 1st Team All-Conference sophomore leading scorer Adalynn Olmos returning, the Bobcats will look to use their fast paced offense and aggressive defense to elevate their squad one step higher this season. 2nd Team All-Conference defensive stalwart Audrey Castaneda and company are not afraid to take risks, which led to a lot of fastbreak opportunities for Olmos and Ruby Taylor last season.
Nicole Baker returns for her 4th season as head coach at Burley with a squad that has gained a lot of respect these last few seasons. They are certainly a dark horse for the conference title this season, and will be a tough opponent every night.
TWIN FALLS
Senior heavy describes Twin Falls 2025-26 roster to a T. The Bruins return seven seniors, headlined by senior guard Leilani Ellis, one of the most dynamic backcourt players in the conference. Rounding out the senior class are Reygan Lee, Elektra Cresswell, Val Black, Brook Gambrel, Shelby Stotts, and Lucy Pittard, and they will give the Bruins continuity, toughness, and leadership across every position.
Bruins coach Kevin Cato believes this group has the offensive versatility to take a significant step forward. With a mix of ball-handling, shooting, and size, Twin Falls expects to play an aggressive, attacking style that uses pace, spacing, and senior decision-making to its advantage. After struggling to score at times last season, the Bruins are banking on the experience of their returning core to elevate their offensive production and create more consistent opportunities at the rim and from the perimeter.
The Bruins will also look to blend in several new impact players, including Elena Lua and Alysen Wright. They will both add depth and competition to an already loaded rotation, and Cato expects many contributions from the newcomers, even early in the season.
Defensively, the Bruins will again rely on the relentless energy of senior guard Elektra Cresswell, whom Cato calls the team’s “defensive dynamo.” Her ability to pressure the ball sets the tone for a team that expects to play extended full-court man-to-man and use its collective quickness to disrupt opposing offenses. With so many returners comfortable in the system, Twin Falls aims to generate turnovers and dictate tempo on a nightly basis.
One area of focus will be defending the paint. The Bruins will prioritize keeping opponents from getting to the rim, an issue that surfaced last season and remains a key point of emphasis heading into the winter. Improved rim protection, stronger rotations, and more disciplined interior defense will be essential as Twin Falls looks to match its perimeter pressure with physical play inside.
Despite losing starters Jasmine Morris and Hailee Norris, both respected leaders, Cato believes this group is built to take a step forward. With senior leadership, defensive intensity, and a deeper offensive arsenal, the Bruins have the pieces to contend in a competitive league. Twin Falls could turn some heads this season and are definitely one to keep an eye on.
MINICO
After going 11-1 in conference play in back to back seasons, and sitting atop the GBC, the 2024-25 season was much a different outcome for the Spartans. Minico managed only one victory, which came against Century.
Despite last season’s struggles, the Spartans return sophomore Kenlei Wageman, who earned 2nd Team All-Conference honors. However, the Spartans do lose fellow 2nd Team All-Conference honoree Jaycee Stroud.
Anna Bateman enters her 10th season as head coach with a young team who is looking to improve on both sides of the ball.