Players to Watch:
Cameron Tilzey, Centennial Baptist
Mason Bennett, Compass Charter
Levi Smith, Gem State
Trey Martiny, Idaho City
Stephen Roskam, Liberty Charter
Kyle Wheeler, North Star Charter
Benny Guevara, Notus
Ronaldo Gomez, Rimrock
Amer Sangha, Riverstone
Cody Luce, Victory Charter
Julian Neri, Wilder
Written by: Brandon Baney
Idaho’s Class 2A Western Idaho Conference is one of the most exciting, year in and year out, across the Gem State. This 11-team landmine features potential pitfalls, exciting sleepers, and a few lucky league contenders. Which teams end up where often depends on a couple of factors: good luck with injuries, and consistent development throughout the season.
Because the WIC is such a behemoth, we often see a variety of results when we poll the league coaches in the preseason. This year was no different. But a few tiers did develop somewhat organically, starting with Victory Charter at the top.
The Vipers went 20-7 in 2023-24, and came away with the consolation trophy after narrow wins over Oakley and Valley in loser-out action. Only three seniors graduated, but among them was Noah Palmoares, Victory Charter’s floor general and leading scorer.
Coach David Weaver will now ask more of returning senior guards Cody Luce and Jett Wood. “I’m excited to see Cody and Jett step up more as seniors, as well as our younger players developing and stepping up,” says Weaver.
“We have lots of energy and willingness to share the ball,” Weaver adds.
If Victory Charter is in a tier of their own as preseason favorite, the next tier could be identified as “solid contenders”. Notus, North Star Charter, Compass Charter, Liberty Charter and Riverstone all qualify here.
The Pirates return quite a bit from last year’s team that went 13-8 overall. Seniors Benny Guevara and Nico Martinez will lead the backcourt, while senior Luis Vargas and juniors Derrick Huter and Caleb Cudaback will chip in at the forward position. None of those three are taller than 5-foot-11, so rebounding will be critical for Notus. Also, the Pirates are led by Brad Huter, who previously coached the Notus girls.
North Star Charter and Compass Charter were pegged as contenders as well after dropping down from the Class 3A level.
The Aviators are led by second-year head coach Shane Tolman. He’ll look to four seniors to pave the way for Compass Charter: guards Kellen Walbuck and Mason Bennett, forward Jayden Horn, and center Beau Bristol. “Our main four are all seniors and know how to play well together,” says Tolman. “They know how to move and attack the basket. We play a motion-style offense, so it’s critical that we finish at the rim. We had a lot of missed opportunities last year around the basket. We improve on this and we will be in great shape.”
As for North Star Charter, Huskies coach Kevin Hutchens only has one senior in his starting five in Kyle Wheeler. But sophomores Karamjit Kanda, Tim Baros and Logan Ellis all have potential, and junior Beckett Hammons is a great athlete, as well.
As Liberty Charter coach Seth Stallcop enters his 18th season on the Patriots’ sideline, he’ll do so in an unusual position. The Patriots have long been a force in the WIC, but this year there are more question marks than usual. “We are very inexperienced,” says Stallcop. “We hope to be able to limit turnovers and play with reasonable pace. We certainly need to get used to varsity-level speed. We only have three players returning that have played meaningful minutes at that level.”
Those three are wings Stephen Roskam, Aidyn Camarillo and Owen Henrickson. “Stephen is our playmaker, Aidyn is a great defender, and Owen is our best shooter,” says Stallcop. “By the end of the year, applying ball pressure within our individual man defensive scheme should be a strength. We have young athleticism that I am very excited about.”
While Victory Charter and Liberty Charter represented the WIC at state last year, Riverstone nearly became the third team to reach the tournament. The Otters fell to eventual state runner-up Lakeside in a state play-in game, then watched top scorer Jason Koval and head coach Steve Bowen depart.
Riverstone’s new coach is Nicholas Kitnikokne. 5-foot-11 senior Amer Sangha and 6-foot-3 junior Emerson Bava are returning starters for the Otters.
The third and final tier of WIC teams is comprised of dark horses, sleepers and developing Cinderellas.
Rimrock has one of the best all-around athletes in the league in 5-foot-9 guard Ronaldo Gomez. If 5-foot-10 sophomore Adrian Farfan and 6-foot-5 junior Morgan Field can develop, the Raiders could blossom into a matchup nightmare for opponents.
Idaho City welcomes back senior Trey Martiny, an All-Conference player last season. Junior Michael Kaczmarek was a varsity contributor a year ago, also. But the progression of promising freshmen Cooepr Smith and Isaac Manor could transform the Wildcats from sleeper to contender.
Wilder is breaking in a new coach this year, as Rudy Cortez takes the reins from Eric Lopez. Senior guard Julian Neri and senior center Brandon Perez are a formidable one-two punch. Junior post Jesse Morales and sophomore guard Gelacio Martinez are two more names to keep an eye on this year in Wilder.
Gem State went 3-12 last season. The Jaguars will rely upon four seniors: Jared Avalos, Seth Davis, Rowan Hendricks and Levi Smith.
Centennial Baptist is also looking to improve upon its 1-18 mark from a year ago. 6-foot forward Cameron Tilzey is the only senior in the starting lineup. Junior guards Gavin Kolb, Uriah Kolb and Caleb West are all expected to take another step forward, and 6-foot-4 sophomore Karson Sams brings size to the Mustangs as well.