2A Toughest Preseason Schedule – North Summit

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Summit isn't easing into the season—they're diving straight into deep water. Their preseason slate is loaded with teams from higher classifications and includes a matchup with 3A state champion Emery. This isn't just a warm-up; it's a measuring stick for how their core group stacks up against elite competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What makes North Summit a wildcard is not just the difficulty of their schedule, but the variety. They're facing teams with size, speed, and veteran depth—each game exposing different weaknesses and demanding different adjustments. That kind of schedule can beat you down, or it can harden you for a late-season run. With North Summit's tough-minded roster, it may do the latter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Facing state title-level talent early forces them to find their identity fast—something Kanab doesn't have to do to the same extent. If North Summit can hold their own, or even steal a win or two in this stretch, it could signal that they're not just a contender, but a threat outside their classification.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Summit 56 - Emery 46</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With one of their biggest challenges already behind them, North Summit has proven they're not easing into the season—they're ready to take on anyone. They knocked off Emery on Saturday, the preseason No. 1 in 3A, and showed exactly why they're a threat. [player_tooltip player_id='1415963' first='Kate' last='Smith'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1119385' first='Ellie' last='Stephens'] have been the steady forces for the Braves, with Kate drilling five threes in the game. But against Emery, it was the supporting cast that made the difference. [player_tooltip player_id='1248746' first='Chayden' last='Sargent'] and Quinci Vernon stepped up and helped carry the load, and together the four players accounted for all but two of North Summit's points. Emery had strong efforts from [player_tooltip player_id='1230103' first='Kabree' last='Gordon'] and Addie Hurt, but they couldn't withstand the second-half surge and pressure brought by the Braves.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Summit - Rich - December 6</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The current 1A state champion isn't a team that will roll over—especially with the reigning 1A Player of the Year on the roster. Rich will have the home-court edge but will also come in with fewer game reps, which could test their readiness early. Their matchup against Mountain Crest should give them valuable experience, and they'll lean heavily on [player_tooltip player_id='1151339' first='Braylynn' last='Pugmire'], [player_tooltip player_id='825064' first='Molly' last='Weston'], and a deep group of All-State honorees. Despite the difference in classification, Rich has the personnel and toughness to push North Summit from the opening tip to the final horn.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">North Summit - Maple Mountain - December 12</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Maple Mountain doesn't rely on one standout, which makes them harder to scout but also puts pressure on their role players to make their presence felt against a seasoned North Summit core. Can Maple's guards limit [player_tooltip player_id='1415963' first='Kate' last='Smith']'s catch-and-shoot space and force her off the arc? Can North Summit handle Maple's length and rebounding strength, especially with [player_tooltip player_id='1377930' first='Sara' last='Palmer']'s ability to disrupt around the rim and [player_tooltip player_id='825009' first='Leah' last='Bailey']'s ability to take care of the ball? Will Maple's depth wear down North Summit over four quarters, or will North Summit's chemistry, spacing, and high shot volume from their top scorers carry the day?<br>This game will likely hinge on who controls tempo. If it becomes a grind-it-out half-court game, North Summit holds the edge. If Maple can speed it up, win the offensive rebounding battle, and force North Summit into foul and rotation trouble, Maple might flip the script.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Takeaways</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>If North Summit can use the preseason to learn, adjust, and adapt to the variety of styles, talent levels, and classifications they're facing, they could enter region play as the team to beat. The key will be retaining those lessons—how to respond to physical teams, how to manage tempo against skilled guard-heavy rosters, and how to execute under postseason-style pressure. If they can carry that experience forward, those early tests could pay off in a big way when mid-February arrives and the tournament lights turn on.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->