How they did last year: Eagle dominated the 5A SIC last year with Vallivue a close second. Timberline finished third in the regular season but was upset in the in district tournament. Borah, Centennial and Rocky Mountain all went to state. Vallivue and Centennial lost their first two state games. Rocky won the consolation game, Borah finished third and Eagle made it to the championship before losing to Post Falls.
What to expect this year: both Eagle and Vallivue are down compared to last season, though the cupboards are not bare. Centennial appears to be in the strongest position with several returning players and two player of the year candidates on their roster, Patrick Manning and Faruk Huskic (both Idaho Select players). Rocky Mountain brings back an experienced roster as well. Plus, several of the coaches have mentioned Borah and Mountain View in the running. I would put Capital in as the league’s sleeper to make the post season.
Player of the year candidates include Patrick Manning (Centennial), Faruk Huskic (Centennial), Daved Gillmor (Eagle), Braiden Shaw (Eagle), Tyson Percifield (Mountain View), Ryan Skurdal (Rocky Mountain), Riley Bruneel (Rocky Mountain), Alex Duncan (Boise), Ben Tucakovic (Borah), Marcus Graham (Timberline) and Jacob Betancourt (Vallivue).
Each team’s preview will be available through IdahoSports.com. The printed magazine is expected to hit the streets on December 6.