5A - Region 4 Preview | Prep Girls Hoops

<p>As we move into 5A, the landscape shifts noticeably with several programs changing classifications. A few familiar faces have moved out, while Hillcrest, Payson, West Field, Fremont, and Pleasant Grove make their entrance — adding new depth and intrigue to this class. The reorganization expands 5A from four regions to five, setting the stage for fresh rivalries.</p>   <p>All schools from Region 4 are back again, but Hillcrest and West are joining them. One school is going to give everyone some trouble, and another will have to get used to the 5A speed of the game. Traditionally, Region 4 has struggled to make deep playoff runs, often overshadowed by the powerhouse regions. With these new additions, that narrative could start to change. With new schools, new coaches, and returning standouts ready to make their mark, Region 4 might be the surprise group this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WEST JORDAN</h2>   <p>Record: 14-9. <strong>1st in Region 4.</strong></p>   <p>West Jordan enters the season looking to rebuild around its interior anchor, [player_tooltip player_id='1246524' first='Erylin' last='Lokeni'], who led the team in multiple statistical categories last year. At 6'1”, Lokeni's size and presence make her the focal point for both ends of the floor — a true difference-maker in the paint who can control the tempo through rebounding, shot-blocking, and interior scoring. Her leadership will be essential as the Jaguars transition after graduating five seniors, including two of their primary stat leaders.</p>   <p>The younger squad now stepping up will have plenty of opportunities to define the new identity of this team. One player expected to make an immediate impact is [player_tooltip player_id='843962' first='Francine' last='McIntyre'], an underclassman whose energy and skill set will complement Lokeni well. Her development could be key in keeping West Jordan competitive throughout the season.</p>   <p>Last year, West Jordan made it through a couple of playoff rounds, proving they can battle when it matters most. With West High moving into their region, the competition level just got tougher — but it also raises the bar for the Jaguars. If the younger players like [player_tooltip player_id='796485' first='Tofi' last='De La Cerna'] can quickly adjust to varsity speed and contribute on both ends, West Jordan could very well find itself in contention for a region title once again.<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/tofi-de-la-cerna/"></a></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">TAYLORSVILLE</h2>   <p>Record: 11-11. <strong>2nd in Region 4.</strong></p>   <p>Taylorsville looks poised to take a step forward this season with a strong core of returning players and plenty of experience on the floor. The Warriors only graduated three seniors, which means most of last year's production is still intact — and that continuity could make them a sleeper contender in the region.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1195587' first='Karen' last='Jones'] brings the tempo and leadership from the guard spot. She's quick, composed, and capable of controlling the pace of the game, whether in transition or in the half-court set. [player_tooltip player_id='1230637' first='Destiny' last='Harrison'] remains one of the team's most efficient players, shooting 81% from the free-throw line last year and leading the team in assists. Her ability to create for others while also knocking down key shots makes her invaluable to Taylorsville's offensive flow.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1352646' first='Kaitlin' last='Sterzer'], now a junior, is the workhorse inside — pulling down more boards than points last season, which shows her willingness to do the dirty work. If she can increase her scoring consistency, she'll be a big factor in the Warriors' success. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='879705' first='Felika' last='Tauvao'] and [player_tooltip player_id='805800' first='Tessa' last='Duke'] will need to elevate their production and find their roles within this veteran lineup.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">HUNTER</h2>   <p>Record: 10-14. <strong>3rd in Region 4.</strong></p>   <p>Hunter could be one of the most dangerous teams in Region 4 this season. With minimal losses to graduation and nearly every major contributor returning, this group looks primed to build on last year's success. </p>   <p>Leading the way is junior [player_tooltip player_id='825055' first='Grace' last='Gallagher'], a 6'3" standout who's already drawing interest from Division I programs. She dominated as a sophomore, leading Hunter in points and rebounds while also showcasing elite defensive instincts — her 139 blocks last season were among the highest in the state. </p>   <p>Supporting her are returning players [player_tooltip player_id='796890' first='Destini' last='Perez'], [player_tooltip player_id='1352715' first='Kiana' last='Pauni'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1352716' first='Skye' last='Davidson'], who each played a key role in feeding Gallagher the ball and creating offensive rhythm. Their ability to share the ball and facilitate makes the offense difficult to predict. Newcomer [player_tooltip player_id='1246448' first='Tyanna' last='Tapusoa'], entering as a freshman, adds energy and long-term promise, while [player_tooltip player_id='1239832' first='Sydni' last='Miller'] steps in to bolster the depth and defensive consistency of the roster.</p>   <p>With a balanced mix of experienced upperclassmen and talented young players, Hunter has the pieces to make a serious statement in Region 4 — and possibly beyond — this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEARNS</h2>   <p>Record: 8-14. <strong>4th in Region 4.</strong></p>   <p>Kearns heads into this season as one of the bigger unknowns in the region — but not necessarily one to overlook. After graduating seven seniors, the roster is younger and less experienced on paper, yet it's a group that already showed flashes of strong chemistry and potential last year.</p>   <p>Fortunately for the Cougars, much of their production came from underclassmen who are now stepping into larger leadership roles. [player_tooltip player_id='997497' first='Lia' last='Benson'], [player_tooltip player_id='825060' first='Mina' last='Kinikini'], and [player_tooltip player_id='827407' first='Ava' last='Tupou'], all juniors last season, led the team in points, assists, and steals — a promising trio that gives Kearns a balanced foundation across multiple facets of the game. Inside, [player_tooltip player_id='1352643' first='Marie' last='Angilau-Lea'], now a sophomore, is already a reliable rebounder who plays with strength and energy. Her improvement will be key to maintaining control in the paint and helping Kearns establish an inside-out presence offensively.</p>   <p>With this young core growing together and building on last year's experience, Kearns could surprise some teams. The ingredients are there — youth, talent, and time — and improvement over last season feels like a natural next step.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">CYPRUS</h2>   <p>Record: 2-20. <strong>5th in Region 4.</strong></p>   <p>Cyprus faces one of the biggest rebuilding years in Region 4 after graduating eight seniors — including their top three statistical leaders across every major category. That level of turnover means the program will be leaning heavily on a young core and new faces to establish a new identity and set the tone for the future. While that kind of roster reset can be challenging, it also opens the door for hungry players ready to prove themselves and take on leadership roles.</p>   <p>Several players are already emerging as potential difference-makers. [player_tooltip player_id='957793' first='Catherine' last='Howcroft'], [player_tooltip player_id='1239838' first='Anaiyah' last='Fesoli'], [player_tooltip player_id='952621' first='Candace' last='Mecham'], and [player_tooltip player_id='952603' first='Paige' last='Sharp'] look to be the key names to watch heading into the season. Each brings a different skill set that could help Cyprus stay competitive — from perimeter shooting and ball movement to rebounding and defensive energy. Their growth and ability to adjust to more prominent roles will dictate how quickly the team can rebuild momentum. This year could be about finding rhythm, establishing chemistry, and identifying the next leaders of the program. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">GRANGER</h2>   <p>Record: 6-17. <strong>6th in Region 4.</strong></p>   <p>Granger may have finished near the bottom of the region standings last season, but the program is in a better position than it might appear. Unlike several other Region 4 schools that were hit hard by graduation losses, Granger returns nearly all of its key contributors — a major advantage heading into the new year. Leading the way once again will be [player_tooltip player_id='839444' first='Hoku' last='Pili'], who was the team's go-to scorer and all-around leader last season. She not only paced Granger in points but did so with strong shooting percentages both from beyond the arc and inside the lane. Pili was also dominant on the boards, more than doubling her teammates in rebounds, and made her presence felt defensively with consistent blocks and hustle plays. She's the engine that makes this team go.</p>   <p>Backing her up is a solid supporting cast that includes [player_tooltip player_id='973273' first='Haylie' last='Harper'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1352757' first='Angelia' last='Naeata'], both returning with valuable experience and complementary skill sets. Their familiarity with each other's game should help Granger maintain rhythm and stability early in the season. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color">NEW TO REGION 4</h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">HILLCREST</h2>   <p>Record: 4-16. <strong>7th in 4A Region 10</strong></p>   <p>Hillcrest enters the season facing one of the toughest uphill climbs in Region 4. After competing below .500 last year in 4A, they now move up to the 5A level — a big step that will test their depth, athleticism, and overall consistency. The positive for the Huskies is that Region 4 isn't packed with powerhouse programs, giving them a chance to grow into this higher level of play without being immediately outmatched.</p>   <p>Graduating six seniors — all of whom were key stat leaders — leaves a significant gap in production on both ends of the floor. That means this year's success will hinge on the development and resilience of their younger players. [player_tooltip player_id='1092177' first='Sam' last='Sebahar'] showed flashes of rebounding ability last season and could become a steady inside presence if she continues to progress. [player_tooltip player_id='925835' first='Emily' last='Mandel'] also made her mark defensively, contributing with steals and blocks. The Huskies will also look to Josie Haddock and [player_tooltip player_id='1243038' first='Piper' last='Pew'] to step into bigger roles and help balance the scoring load. Their growth will be critical in helping Hillcrest stay competitive as the team works to rebuild its chemistry and confidence. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WEST</h2>   <p>Record: 24-1. 1st in Region 6. <strong>2nd Place 5A Championship.</strong></p>   <p>West enters Region 3 as the lone 5A newcomer from the old Region 6, and they bring with them a proven record of success. The Panthers made a deep postseason run last year, falling just short in the state championship game, and they return most of the core that got them there. This is a team that knows how to win — tough, disciplined, and built around high-level players who understand the pace and intensity of big moments.</p>   <p>The centerpiece of this squad remains [player_tooltip player_id='796794' first='Kylee' last='Falatea'], one of the top players in the entire state. She led West in nearly every statistical category last season — scoring, rebounds, assists, and steals — and her leadership will once again set the tone. Her ability to take over games, both offensively and defensively, makes her one of the most complete guards in Utah.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='796811' first='Tia' last='Pan'] will continue to be a steady offensive contributor, capable of both creating shots and distributing effectively, while [player_tooltip player_id='796805' first='Laite' last='Latu'], standing at 6'5", will anchor the paint. Her rebounding presence and interior defense will be crucial as West adjusts to new region competition.</p>   <p>While the Panthers did graduate eight seniors, they have plenty of depth waiting in the wings. [player_tooltip player_id='875194' first='Sinoveti' last='Uhatafe'], [player_tooltip player_id='1279080' first='Tiana' last='Fa'], [player_tooltip player_id='812058' first='Elyssia' last='Gallardo'], [player_tooltip player_id='796813' first='Sia' last='Hall'], and [player_tooltip player_id='847893' first='Jaida' last='Lavatai'] will all be counted on to fill key roles and keep the momentum rolling. If this group gels early, West could not only dominate Region 3 but look to be a contender once again at the big dance.</p>   <p></p>

As we move into 5A, the landscape shifts noticeably with several programs changing classifications. A few familiar faces have moved out, while Hillcrest, Payson, West Field, Fremont, and Pleasant Grove make their entrance — adding new depth and intrigue to this class. The reorganization expands 5A from four regions to five, setting the stage for fresh rivalries.