Advertisement

Boys basketball preview: Preseason picks for the 5A SIC’s favorites and dark horses

rachel roberts
·6 min read

A reshuffling of the state’s classifications has given a new look to the 5A Southern Idaho Conference.

But the league’s top contenders will certainly be familiar.

Middleton returns to the conference after a two-year hiatus and held a slight edge in the preseason poll, according to the league’s coaches. The Vikings are expected to battle for supremacy alongside Bishop Kelly, while the conference’s six other teams will no doubt have something to say about that.

We asked the league’s coaches to identify the top players and teams heading into the season. Teams are listed in their order of finish in the preseason poll.

Middleton’s Tye Cornwall, right, dribbles the ball against an Owyhee defender during the first round of the 5A state tournament last February at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.
Middleton’s Tye Cornwall, right, dribbles the ball against an Owyhee defender during the first round of the 5A state tournament last February at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa.

1. MIDDLETON

Last season: 15-11, 5-7 5A SIC

Coach: Josh Downey, second season

Players to watch: Tye Cornwall, jr., G; Blake Bishop, sr., F; Derrik Walker, sr., G

Outlook: After two seasons in the state’s largest classification, the Vikings return to the 5A SIC as the preseason favorite — by a hair. Middleton received half of the league’s first-place votes and edged Bishop Kelly by one point for the top spot. The Vikings will look to Cornwall, who is being recruited by Boise State and Idaho, to lead the way; he averaged 10 points per game last season. Walker (13 ppg) steps into the Vikings’ starting lineup as a transfer from New Plymouth. Downey says Middleton will lean on its experience, returning the majority of its roster from last year’s state-qualifying team, and benefit from a deeper bench.

Bishop Kelly guard Owen Kane, left, scores on a fast break during the 4A state tournament last February at Rocky Mountain High School in Meridian.
Bishop Kelly guard Owen Kane, left, scores on a fast break during the 4A state tournament last February at Rocky Mountain High School in Meridian.

2. BISHOP KELLY

Last season: 20-6, 12-0 4A SIC

Coach: Ryan Kerns, 11th season

Players to watch: Owen Kane, sr., PG; Ben Hagman, sr., SF; Conor Goss, jr., SF; David Zhuang, sr., SG

Outlook: The Knights hoisted the third-place trophy at state last season and remain a perennial league favorite despite the return of just one starter in Kane, who was a first-team all-conference pick after averaging about 10 points, 3 assists and 2 steals per game. Consistency is a staple of the BK program — the Knights have played in the district title game seven times in the past nine seasons, and have won 10 district championships since 2004. Athleticism defines this year’s team, as Kern expects the Knights to be disruptive on defense and space the floor with dangerous 3-point shooters.

3. COLUMBIA

Last season: 11-15, 5-7 4A SIC

Coach: Blaine Wright, first season

Players to watch: Blake Hansen, sr., W; Max Keller, so., W; Dominic Reeping, jr., PG; Easton Lott, so., W

Outlook: The Wildcats finished a win short of advancing to the state tournament last season, losing to Bishop Kelly in the district tournament’s runner-up game. Three starters are back from that team, but Columbia will be turning the page with a new leader at the helm in Wright. Hansen (16 ppg, 6 rebounds) earned first-team all-conference honors a year ago, and Keller (8 ppg, 2 assists) received an honorable mention nod as a freshman. Wright says the Wildcats could potentially start two sophomores and a freshman, but Columbia’s fast pace of play, length and ability to defend should help counter that inexperience.

4. VALLIVUE

Last season: 13-12, 6-6 4A SIC

Coach: Mario Betancourt, sixth season

Players to watch: Dominik Betancourt, jr., G; Zakary Hogg, jr., G; Bryton Kiester, sr., W

Outlook: Dominik Betancourt and Hogg each matched the school record with seven 3-pointers in a single game last season and both had multiple 20-point games. Betancourt landed on the all-conference second team and Hogg earned honorable mention recognition. They join Kiester as the Falcons’ three returning starters on a Vallivue team that coach Mario Betancourt says has excellent depth, with 11 different players capable of being the leading scorer on any given night. Offensive production shouldn’t be a problem for the Falcons, but success will hinge on their ability to get defensive stops, Mario Betancourt said.

Skyview’s Kaden Salvadori dribbles to the basket against Twin Falls at the 2023 4A state tournament at Rocky Mountain High School.
Skyview’s Kaden Salvadori dribbles to the basket against Twin Falls at the 2023 4A state tournament at Rocky Mountain High School.

5. SKYVIEW

Last season: 11-12, 6-6 4A SIC

Coach: Aaron Sanders, 17th season

Players to watch: Kaden Salvadori, sr., PG; Brady Schelhaas, sr., SG; James Smutny, jr., PG; Johnny Merrell, fr., P

Outlook: Salvadori, who begins his third season on varsity, is the Hawks’ top returning scorer, contributing about 10 points per game to pick up all-conference honorable mention honors last season. Schelhaas (6 ppg, 38% 3-point shooting) is also back in the starting lineup, and Smutny (88% free throws) takes over as Skyview’s floor general. The 6-foot-7 Merrell will give the Hawks a versatile threat, as he can score inside and out and serve as a rim protector on defense. Sanders cites balance as his team’s biggest strength, with all five players on the floor posing a scoring threat.

6. NAMPA

Last season: 5-16, 2-10 5A SIC

Coach: Brad Adolfson, fourth season

Players to watch: Dominick Almaraz, jr., G; Paul Russa, jr., G; Ryland Rush, jr., F; Lucas Torrez, sr., G

Outlook: The move down a classification could be rejuvenating for the Bulldogs, who finished second-to-last in the 5A SIC last season with just five overall wins. But they’ll have to take on the challenge with a very different roster after the graduation of nine seniors. Almaraz (6 ppg, 4.5 rebounds, 3 assists), Russa (8 ppg, 2.5 rebounds) and Rush (2.5 ppg, 3 rebounds) are the only returners who played significant minutes last season, and they’ll form the nucleus of a team that Adolfson says must gel quickly. Nampa will have less height than it has in previous years, and will lean on the hot shooter and defensive pressure to compete, the coach said.

7. EMMETT

Last season: 8-15, 2-10 4A SIC

Coach: Dustin Lopez, second season

Players to watch: Tucker Brown, sr., G; Tag Griffin, jr., G; Scott Brady, jr., P

Outlook: Lopez was named the 4A SIC Coach of the Year last season and hopes to see his Huskies make strides in his second year at the helm. In an effort to climb the conference standings, Emmett played 28 games in June to gain critical experience and improve the team’s overall basketball IQ. Brown begins his third season as a starter and led the Huskies in scoring (15 ppg) to go with 6 rebounds and an all-conference honorable mention nod. Griffin (8 ppg) joins Brown as Emmett’s only other returning starter, and Brady (17 ppg, 9 rebounds) is expected to make a significant contribution after leading the JV team to a district championship last year. Lopez says defense will be the Huskies’ backbone.

8. CALDWELL

Last season: 3-18, 1-11 4A SIC

Coach: Rick Tigges, fourth season

Players to watch: Sawyer Hope-Audet, jr., W; Eli Arredondo, jr., W; Izaiah Hernandez, sr., PG

Outlook: Tigges is straightforward about the Cougars’ expectations, admitting the start of the season could be “rough” as the team breaks in an inexperienced roster. With just one senior in the rotation — and as many as three sophomores — the adversity the Cougars face today could translate to a more seasoned program in the years to come. Tigges said Caldwell will aim to be in the mix down the stretch with more aggressive defense than in years past, and better depth.