The Hoops Preview has transitioned from a printed magazine to an online publication. For this year’s version, I collected team summaries from coaches and, thanks to Paul Kingsbury, was able to post them here on IdahoSports.com. Basically, I sent out questionnaires to coaches of the girls teams in the 4A and 5A Southern Idaho Conference as well as the boys coaches of 4A and 5A conferences around the state (if you are not in one of these categories and filled out a form, it was likely for another publication).
After the forms were turned in, I translated them into a readable summary. I also did some digging to find additional details such as statistical information, all conference and state teams, etc. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out www.idahoops.com for all kinds of information. That website was a big assistance in putting these together.
Conference overview
The 5A Southern Idaho Conference (SIC) will have a similar look and feel to last year.
Most teams are returning a lot of lettermen and the coaching is basically remaining the same. Of the eleven teams in the conference’s 5A classification, only one, Vallivue, gets a new coach. The rest all bring another year of competitiveness and experience to the table.
Early favorites this year are Centennial and Boise, while Capital has also earned the respect of the coaches and is expected to compete for one of the conference’s top spots. This year’s sleeper appears to be Meridian, which has a lot of returning players and experience.
Based on what I’ve seen, it looks like Jordin Juker from Boise is likely to be your 5A SIC Player of the Year and that she legitimately has a shot at both the Gatorade Player of the Year and Idaho Player of the Year honors.
Taking a look at how the coaches predicted how the season might go, here are the initial standings (click on the team to go directly to their summary):
#1 Boise
#2 Centennial
#3 Capital
#4 Mountain View
#5 Eagle
#6 Meridian
#7 Vallivue
#8 Timberline
#9 Borah
#10 Rocky Mountain
#11 Caldwell
Here are the fan’s votes (CLICK HERE). The biggest shocker is the percentage of votes that Boise got: 0%.
Games you won’t want to miss:
Vallivue vs. Middleton - We point this game out because Middleton is expected to contend for the 4A SIC title and will be a tough early match up for Vallivue as Katie Holmes get used to the level of play at a bigger classification. Plus, the game (November 14) is at Middleton, never an easy place to win.
Boise vs. Borah - One of the original rivalries, the Braves got the best of the Lions in the first round of the district tournament last season. Boise opens their conference play at Boarh on November 19 and then the Lions head to Boise and their signature “BEAT BORAH” tshirts on January 2.
Rocky Mountain at Columbia - Columbia was once in the position that Rocky Mountain is in just two years ago, that being going into their second year without a win. The game is on November 25 at Columbia and will be the sixth game of the year for RMHS. If they don’t have win number one by this point, this might be a great chance to try and steal one on the road.
Boise vs. Centennial - The two teams are expected to finish at or near the top of the 5A SIC. They first meet on November 28 at Boise and then January 9 at Centennial.
Mountain View vs. Capital - These teams battled it out big time last year, especially when it was time for the district tournament. Mountain View won the first tournament game, sending Capital through the losers bracket. But in the fifth place game, Capital got their revenge by knocking Mountain View out of the tournament on their way to the state tournament. Due to the unbalanced schedule of the 5A SIC, these teams only play once in the regular season, December 18 at Capital.
Boise High School
The Braves were one overtime win away from reaching the girls 5A state championship game last year, but Centennial was able to hang on for the win in the semi-finals. However, the Braves were able to take care of some unfinished business in the third place game by beating out the same Vallivue team that had beaten them a week earlier in the Southern Idaho Conference district tournament. This season, they return seven lettermen, including four starters from last year’s team.
Leading the way for the Braves is 6’0 senior Jordin Juker. Juker, who can play both the guard and forward positions averaged 10.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game last year while shooting 40.5% from behind the 3-point line. Juker is considered by many as the pre-season favorite to win the conference player of the year award and is the only all-state selection from last season returning to the SIC this year (she was selected second team all-state).
Also returning from last year’s starting lineup are Sarah Foster, a 6-0 senior forward, Aleah Lowber, a 5-4 junior guard, and Jackie Luna-Castro, a 6’1 junior post. Lowber averaged 7.3 points per game and Luna-Castro chipped in 6.3 points per game and averaged 5.1 rebounds per game.
Other lettermen that are expected to see some significant playing time are Georgia Seyfried (5-11 senior guard/forward), Kim McGourty (5-6 senior guard) and Janis Blaugher (5-10 senior forward).
Head Coach Kim Brydges also mentions a few potential newcomers to the team including senior Sarah Hone, junior Kirsten Youngblood, sophomore Samantha Haroian and freshman McKenna Butler.
Coach Brydges is excited about the versatility that her team has this year. Their motion based 4 out, 1 in offense will provide scoring opportunities for most of her players, which will force opposing defenses to respect the entire line up and not focus on just one player. Their scoring average dropped a bit last season. But the good news is they also gave up fewer points.
Last season, Boise tried to utilize their quickness advantages by applying significant pressure. This year, they will utilize their height advantages when they pressure teams in full and half court traps.
Borah High School
The Lions have a few things going for them this year. First, they have six returning lettermen from last year’s team, five of them are seniors and one of them was a starter. Second, they are comfortable in their newly remodeled gym. And third, they are motivated to get back to the state tournament, a place they haven’t been since 2007 when they won the Southern Idaho Conference regular season and district championship.
Head Coach Alyson Pincock enters her fifth season at Borah. Joining her is returning starter, senior wing McKensie Stanton. Stanton is joined by fellow returning lettermen seniors Nore Faulkner (5-10 post), Challis Popkey (5-7 guard), Tara Lyons (5-9 wing) and Ali Henze (5-5 guard) and sophomore Jade Gray (5-8 wing).
On both sides of the court, the girls will take advantage of their quickness. Coach Pincock didn’t reveal much about what her team will run on offense and defense other than opponents should expect a little big of everything.
*Caldwell High School
Last season, the Cougars brought in a ton of newcomers after graduating ten seniors. This year, they get a lot of their players back.
Expect to see seniors Melissa Thompson and Angel Chadez and juniors Jessica Aguilar, Emily Long, Dailey Koga and Racquel Steele.
Capital High School
It was within their sites last season. The Capital Eagles were just one win away from going to state for the first time since 2001. But, in Grangeville against a powerhouse Lake City team, the girls came up just short of advancing.
This season, a trip to the state tournament will be on all the girl’s minds. The outlook appears to be very bright, as they return ten lettermen from last year including seven that started at some point and six seniors. Head coach Blas Telleria, in his fourth year with the program, has got his girls to buy in to his system and it is really paying off.
Regular starters from last year included Jenna Cacchillo (5-8 senior), Kayla Alder (5-8 senior), Sharaysa Stewart (5-9 senior), Taegan Berreman (6-1 senior) and Kalli Williams 5-5 junior). Cacchillo led the team in scoring last season and was a second team all-conference selection. Alder led the team in steals, Williams led the team in assists and Berreman was second in rebounding. Steward was the team’s leading 3-point shooter and was honorable mention all-conference.
Also back this year are Brianna Berreman (5-10 senior), Kelsey Alder (5-7 junior), Morgan Buhr (5-7 sophomore), Taryn Cressy (5-6 senior) and Karlie Andrews (5-11 sophomore). Marie Smith (5-11 senior) may also find her way into the rotation.
While the Eagle’s scoring was down about 4 points last year (they averaged about 41 per game) they were holding teams to under 40 points per game. With the increased experience I expect them to increase their scoring and get a few more wins. If things move along like last year, they will only need one more win to get back to the state tournament.
Centennial High School
Let’s just say it: the Centennial girls are always good. There is no getting around it. In the last two years the Patriots have gone a combined 49-3, which included a 25-1 record last year, a consolation trophy in 2008 and the runner up trophy last year. It is worth noting that their only loss last season was in the championship game to Coeur d’Alene, who finished at 26-0.
And though Centennial loses some of its key players from last season, they are still poised to make a run deep into the post season.
We start with head coach Emery Roy. Roy has been coaching for nearly three decades and is the Idaho all time leader in state championships with nine (the last in 2006), state tournament appearances with 25 and state championship games with eleven.
The Patriots also have four returning lettermen, which include returning starter Taylor Hagood. Hagood is a 5-7 senior guard that shared the backcourt last season with Heather Adams. Adams is now playing at Northwest Nazarene University so Hagood will be leading the way.
Joining her will be Lauren Stanger (5-4 senior guard), Sierna Short (5-8 sophomore guard), Leslie Warwick (5-10 senior forward) and Jessica Rutter (5-10 junior forward). Warwick and Rutter will shoulder most of the responsibility underneath with absence of Jade McNorton, now playing at Pepperdine.
Despite loosing four starters from last year’s team, the Patriots are a tight group so chemistry shouldn’t be a problem. They may start a little slow, but I would expect them to improve as the season moves along. They start the season with 4A opponents Columbia and Kuna prior to the beginning of the Patriot’s conference play.
Eagle High School
There was no better example of the balance in the 5A Southern Idaho Conference last season than the Eagle Mustangs. Proving that anyone can beat anyone, the Mustangs, whom finished the 2009 regular season as the #6 seeded team, pulled a win against #4 Mountain View in the district tournament to tie for third and get into the state tournament.
This year, with six returning lettermen and three returning starters, senior leadership and wing player returning after a year off, the question for the Mustangs is: can we get back to state in 2010?
The answer to that question starts with head coach Harry Angelos, entering his fifth year at the school but looking to top 350 career wins (he is currently at 348). The results really lie with 7 players and a couple of newcomers.
Starting with the three returning starters, Hallie Koeppen (5-10 senior wing), Katie Johnson (5-7 junior guard) and JoJo Stevens (6-2 sophomore post). Stevens is the leading returning scorer and rebounder from last season, averaging 7 points and 5 rebounds per game.
Also back are seniors Callie Williams (5-6 guard) and Allee Cooper (5-6 guard) and junior Betty Van Lith (5-9 wing). And returning from an ACL injury is 5-9 senior wing Kortni White. Plus, newcomers Katelyn Cramer (5-6 sophomore guard) and MaClain Williams (5-2 freshman guard) may also factor into the mix.
For the Mustangs to be successful, it will have to start on the offensive side of the court and improving their shooting. The last two years, the girls have shot, as a team, 30% and 22% in 2008 and 2009, respectively. And despite holding teams under 25% from the field on the defensive end, if they can't significantly move up their offensive production, it will once again put tremendous pressure on their defense to win games. However, Coach Angelos does feel that his team does have some great shooters and an increase in the that shooting percentage should happen.
Meridian High School
Head coach Ryan Curry and the Warrior fans have a lot to be excited about this year. Not only is the program continuing to improve each year, they have an experienced team coming back that, as Coach Curry pointed out “can put five players on the floor who can score.”
The team has six lettermen coming back and all five starters. Chelsie Luke (5-8 senior), Brooke Lainhart (5-7 senior), Andrea Barnes (5-6 junior), Tiffany Blades (5-8 senior) and Tara Marston (6-0 junior) started while Keatan Hampton (5-9 senior) provided the spark off the bench.
Meridian won’t be particularly big so Coach Curry expects to utilize 5-out, 4-out and flex systems. The girls will be creating a lot of their own shots so their experience will be key. Two freshmen (Holly Blades and Mykaela Richards) may also factor into the mix and these are good systems for youngsters to jump right in to.
Defensively, the girls will need to improve. Coach Curry is confident that with his players he will be able to extend his defense a bit more, eliminating some easy baskets and creating more turnovers.
Mountain View High School
A quick look at the Maverick's last season points to things going in the right direction. A fourth place finish in the regular season and an opening round victory in the 5A Southern Idaho Conference district tournament had Mountain View one win away from another state tournament berth and a chance at that elusive first state tournament win.
But, as often happens in the SIC, the girls wound up with three straight games against state tournament bound teams and wound up on the outside looking in.
This season, head coach Connie Skogrand and her five returning lettermen will try and navigate a balanced SIC and move themselves back into the state tournament.
Back to the starting lineup are a couple of seniors, 5-4 guard Ali Skogrand and 6-1 post Stevie Humphries. Humphries averaged 9.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game while Skogrand averaged 5.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. Remarkably, Skogrand (a conference honorable mention last year and a four year letter winner) is returning from her second ACL surgery.
Maverick fans can also expect to see junior guard Molly Hezeltine, junior post Lexey Neitzel and junior guard jenna Wiskus return to the floor, while guard Maddison Mindiola may also make contributions.
Mountain View will run some motion on offense and try to match up in man on defense. They held teams to under 30% shooting last year and if they continue to pressure teams and create turnovers, they will be in the mix for state. If they can improve their shooting to around 40% from the field (they only shot 30% last year) things are looking even better.
Rocky Mountain High School
Identity. The Rocky Mountain Grizzlies may have found one in a simple word: team.
Last year, the Grizzlies first season, the team was made up of a mixture of players from Eagle, Meridian, Centennial and Mountain View. This year, the girls have some chemistry and more experience.
Seven players return for second year head coach Cheryl Hutchinson. Five players started for Rocky Mountain last season yet only one is a senior, 5-5 guard Aubry Hurst. Juniors Aubry Akana (5-5 guard) and Cassidi Clegg (5-6 guard) and sophomores Brooke Heidamann (5-3 guard) and Taylor Fowers (5-5 guard) are also back. They will also feel the impact of Quincie Kezar (5-5 senior guard) and Danielle Hurd (5-4 junior guard).
The Grizzlies are certainly young and Coach Hutchinson makes mention that there are some promising freshmen in the program that may also jump to the varsity level.
One that that we do see is that there is not a lot of height with this team. I would expect the Grizzlies to spread the ball around offensively and see whom will step up as their go to scorer.
Defensively, when you have a smaller team, zone is certainly a way to try and equalize the height differential. Coach Hutchinson likes her quickness so don’t be surprised if you see some variations on the full court press and half court trap to help protect the basket.
While the girls may not be considered exceptionally tall, I have to point out that they have big hearts. This year, the team intends to team up with Capital to raise money for Breast Cancer Research and around Christmas the Grizzlies will work on their Adopt-A-Family project.
Timberline High School
Head coach Rich Clements enters his 10th year at Timberline and brings back with him a little experience and height in three returning lettermen.
Hallie Buse and Caitlin Strickling return for the Wolves. Buse is a 5-10 junior with two years of experience and averaged more than 8 points and 5 rebounds per game. Strickling is a 5-10 senior that averaged 6 points and 4 rebounds per game. Also back is 6-1 sophomore Jordan Shuell.
Coach Clements loves his team’s work ethic and expects to be able to push the ball on offense. His team is going to be young and energetic, which can translate into streaky performances. However, with the experience of Buse and Strickling, the girls should be just fine this season.
Vallivue High School
A new era will begin for the Vallivue Falcons this season. Stu Sells, who coached at the school the previous seven seasons and led the Falcons to a 4A state championship in 2006 steps down and Katie Holmes takes over.
Coach Holmes has some coaching experience at the smaller school classification and this year she will also benefit from five returning lettermen that have significant experience playing at the 5A level.
We’ll start with senior Saige Hartman and junio Shanee McBride. Both are 6-0 forwards that averaged about 20 minutes per game in last year’s state tournament.
Alyssa Dario is a 5-7 senior guard and Chyenne Welton and Summer Downs are both 5-10 juniors. Dario was one of the first players off the bench last seasons (along with McBride that occasionally came off the bench) while Downs and Welton will both provide added depth inside.
The Falcons will also enjoy the additions of three seniors: Shelbi Barnes (5-7 guard), Jessica Patterson (5-11 forward) and Danielle Barras (5-11 forward).
Coach Holmes has indicated that she likes to push the tempo on offense. Defensively, she prefers "in your face" man to man along with some trapping. However, this style of play requires strong guards and the question of whom, besides Dario, will run the show and provide the backcourt stability still remains. It is clear that the Falcons will have a height advantage, providing an inside presence that few other teams can match.
On paper, the Falcons appear to be built to pound the ball inside. But that is why we play the games! Vallivue starts the season with two strong non-conference match ups with Bishop Kelly and Middleon. They finished #1 and #2 last season, respectively, and are expected to battle each other again for the 4A SIC title.
*I did not get a form turned in from these teams. This could be for several reasons (email got blocked, post office misplaced it, my fax was out of ink, etc.). If you would like to get your team's information updated, please let your coach know that I have a form that they can fill out.
