PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Karlee Brown, Aberdeen
Marley Kendall, Aberdeen
Kaylee Rios, Declo
Alayna Wageman, Declo
Izzy Haycock, Malad
Brynnlee Jones, Malad
Liv Nelson, Malad
Courtnee Gronning, Soda Springs
Maddie Kempe, Soda Springs
Bently Cundick, West Side
Miley Cundick, West Side
Kale Nieves, Wendell
Tyree Sears, Wendell
Written by: Sven Alskog
After being on the doorsteps of a state championship last season, Malad returns numerous key pieces from a team that went 24-2 overall and 9-0 in league last year while finishing as the 3A runner-up.
With so much familiarity on the floor, the Dragons appear to be positioned well for another run to state this time around.
The 3A South East Idaho Conference receives two bids to state, meaning it should be a fun battle to see who will represent the league in the Treasure Valley.
MALAD
Conference Coach of the Year Trevor Jones brings back plenty of talent for his fourth season, including All-State performers Izzy Haycock and Brynlee Jones.
The group was responsible for bringing the Dragons to state for the first time since 2019 and is hungry for more entering the new campaign.
Jones and Haycock are both double-digit scoring threats every time out and complement each other well from the inside-out. With Jones crashing the glass on the interior and Haycock a dangerous weapon from the perimeter, opposing defenses face a challenge on who to key in on.
Additionally, All-Conference picks Mikell Keeth (Defensive Player of the Year), Liv Nelson (First Team) and Kiley Miller (Second Team) all return for their senior seasons for the experienced Dragons.
Defensively, Malad is opportunistic and can cause havoc for the opposition by forcing turnovers to lead to easy transition buckets.
SODA SPRINGS
In the first season under head coach Mat Gronning, Soda Springs earned a trip to state and finished second in the conference standings.
Seniors Courtnee Gronning, Rosie Harris, Maddie Kempe and Ellie Wood all return, giving the Cardinals optimism again this season.
Gronning was a Second Team All-Conference selection as a junior and will help provide consistency after Soda Springs lost First Team All-Conference picks Abby Goodin and Gracie Moldenhauer to graduation.
“I’m most excited about returning several varsity players from last year,” said Coach Gronning. “Very excited about this team’s chemistry. They all have a desire to win and root for team success.”
Finding someone to step into the shoes of Gooding in terms of running the offense from the point will be key for a squad that likes to execute and play fast with motion.
Junior Anna Davis was listed by the coaching staff as a new impact player from the guard line.
Once again, Soda Springs will play pressure defense from start to finish, with the success of the group largely dependent on how well the team will be able to defend and rebound.
WEST SIDE
After a challenging non-conference portion of the schedule last season, West Side bounced back toward the end of the year by going 5-4 in conference.
The Pirates will once again be led by First-Team All-Conference senior forward Miley Cundick, who can stuff the stat sheet in a variety of ways. Notably, her aggressive style defensively can cause difficulties for opponents.
Junior point guard Reese Evans is another player to watch who can handle the bulk of the ball handling duties in the backcourt. After an impressive freshman season, Bentley Cundick will be aiming to build on her Honorable Mention All-Conference campaign from a year ago.
Other coaches in the league noted consistent improvement under second-year head coach Elise Cox as a reason for potential optimism in Dayton this season.
WENDELL
After previously serving as an assistant, Cody Sears steps into the head coaching position at Wendell for a program that went 17-8 last season.
There’s little doubt that the Trojans can be competitive again, with key All-Conference pieces like seniors Audra Bunn and Kale Nieves-Ramos leading the way. The inside-out duo of Bunn and Nieves-Ramos is expected to provide a strong scoring punch while adding leadership defensively. Nieves-Ramos is arguably the top defensive player in the league and has been honored on that side of the ball previously in her high school career.
Crashing the glass is an area that Wendell will emphasize as the program tips off the new season.
Honorable Mention All-Conference senior Tyree Sears is another notable returner for the Trojans.
After going 3-17 two years ago, Wendell’s jump to 17-8 last season marked one of the most impressive turnarounds in the state, showcasing momentum that the program will look to continue forward with.
ABERDEEN
Following two seasons with a largely young roster that resulted in two wins and five wins, Aberdeen is hoping to see some positive progress this year led by Second Team All-Conference junior Marley Kendall and Honorable Mention All-Conference junior Karlee Brown.
Jensen King and Lexie Brown have both graduated, leaving room for some new faces to step into key roles.
Head coach Andrew Jolley is in his fourth season leading the Tigers.
DECLO
As the Hornets start the second season under the direction of Brad Caresia, the coach has a couple of specific areas he is most excited about.
“Having the ability to go inside-out with our offense,” said Caresia. “Plus the overall growth from last year.”
Standout guard and team and leader Reagan Ramsey has departed due to graduation, leaving juniors Kaylee Rios and Alayna Wageman primed for role expansions after Honorable Mention All-Conference efforts as sophomores.
Senior guard Jaylee Salmon could also play a major role.
For Caresia, executing the game plan and communication are two emphasis areas entering the new season, with team defense expected to be a strength.