PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Julia Baerlocher, Bishop Kelly
Aubree McCarthy, Bishop Kelly
Yazmeen Montanez, Caldwell
Yesenia Montanez, Caldwell
Gabby Nabors, Columbia
Bailey Robertson, Columbia
Brynn Howell, Emmett
Ryllie Smith, Emmett
Lena Erickson, Nampa
Hailee Karpowitz, Nampa
Kaylee Brown, Skyview
Reese Michaelson, Skyview
Jillian Kiester, Vallivue
Gracie Mower, Vallivue
Written by: Lucas Gebhart
There are a lot of unknowns in the 5A Southern Idaho Conference as the league is undergoing an identity shift with Middleton moving to 6A.
Middleton not only won the district title last season, they dominated the league and collected a third of the annual all-conference awards, including three of the five first-team spots, the league’s Co-Player of the Year and Co-6th Woman of the Year.
With all those spots are now up for grabs and combined with the vacancies left from graduations, only eight of last year’s 21 post season honorees (1st Team, 2nd Team, Honorable Mention, Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Player of the Year and Coach of the Year) return this season.
All either graduated or played for Middleton.
BISHOP KELLY
2024-25 Record: 12-2 (17-9) – Two-and-Out at State
Head Coach: Derek McCormick, 18th Season
Bishop Kelly loses nine seniors, including the league’s Co-6th Woman of the Year, Caroline Henry, and first team all-conference selections Mary Behrend and Brooke Hutchinson.
With so many new faces in key roles, head coach Derek McCormick says it could take few weeks for BK to find its stride.
“The start could be rocky with so many new kids and a tough schedule but by the end we will find a way to get it done,” he said.
Despite the heavy roster turnover, many of the league’s coaches still expect BK to contend for the District III title.
McCormick pointed to four players he says will be key, including juniors Julia Baerlocher (wing) and Reagan Williams (forward) and Alaina Stiffler (point guard).
Senior forward Aubree McCarthy will also step into a larger role as one of the roster’s only seniors.
EMMETT
2024-25 Record: 10-4 (13-13) – Lost in State Play-in Game
Head Coach: Mark Priano, 4th Season
Emmett will run a deep nine-woman rotation despite losing two multi-year starters in Natalie Goslin, a four-year starter, and Erin Hadley, last year’s Defensive Player of the Year.
Head coach Mark Priano says key returning players such as wing Ryllie Smith, Taylor Sammons and Brynn Howell will help make up Emmett’s quickness and newcomers Caydie Buffington and Reagan Larson will help bring size to the rotation. Both forwards stand six feet or taller and give the Huskies a clear advantage inside.
COLUMBIA
2024-25 Record: 7-7 (9-16) – 4th Place at Distrits
Head Coach: Neal Robertson, 7th Season
No team in the conference returns more talent than Columbia.
The Wildcats graduated the league’s Co-Player of the Year in Addy Bayne but return much of last year’s core, including one of the league’s rising stars, sophomore Bailey Robertson.
Robertson was a second-team all-conference pick as a freshman and is an early Player of the Year candidate.
The Wildcats also return seniors Yani Lincoln and Gabby Nabors, providing Columbia with a unique combination of young talent and senior leadership.
SKYVIEW
2024-25 Record: 6-8 (8-14) – Lost in District Elimination Semifinals
Head Coach: Joe Betancourt, 3rd Season
Last year’s Coach of the Year, Joe Betancourt returns senior Kaylee Brown and junior Reese Michaelson.
Brown was a second-team all-conference selection as a junior while Michaelson was an honorable mention.
VALLIVUE
2024-25 Record: 4-10 (5-17) – Two-and-Out at Districts
Head Coach: Laurie Kiester, 1st Season
The Falcons lost year’s star player, Loralie Roberts, but welcomed a new head coach in Laurie Kiester.
Kiester takes over a Vallivue team that returns three seniors (Madi Amey, Gracie Mower and Joclyn Rhoton) and two juniors (Emma Flores and Jillian Kiester).
She adds that sophomore Elise Barnes and junior Emma Lopez could become impact players this year.
CALDWELL
2024-25 Record: 3-11 (6-18) – Lost in District Elimination Semifinals
Head Coach: Emille Eckhart, 2nd Season
The Cougars lose one of the league’s best playmakers in Tamar Callender but will continue to build their reputation of playing an up-tempo style.
Callender was a second-team all-league player and had the ability to carry a younger Caldwell team by taking over games.
Despite losing its best player, Cadwell still returns plenty of talent from last year’s roster but will be on the younger side.
Head coach Emille Eckhart says sophomore Lila Walker has “made significant improvements” this offseason.
“We expect her to have a substantial impact offensively,” she said. “We are excited to see her growth from her freshman year to her sophomore season.
NAMPA
2024-25 Record: 0-14 (1-21) - Two-and-Out at Districts
Head Coach: Tyler Avey, 1st Season
The Bulldogs return nine varsity players, including offensive leaders Hailee Karpowitz and Kaylani Yzquierdo while adding a new head coach working to change Nampa’s culture and philosophy.
“We spent a lot of time over the summer figuring out a style that fits not only our current players, but future Nampa Bulldogs,” new head coach Tyler Avey said. “Our priority is to change the way people look at Nampa Basketball.”
Avey spent the past five years serving as an assistant for both the boys and girls basketball teams at Nampa.