4A Region 8 Preview - Plus a Team, Minus a Team

<p>This region remains largely intact after realignment, with only Payson moving out and Summit Academy stepping in from 3A's Region 14. With Payson gone—the defending Region 8 champs—the race for this year's title becomes wide open. The shift creates a fresh landscape, and several teams now have a realistic shot at stepping into the spotlight.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">PROVO</h2>   <p>Record: 21-4. <strong>2nd in Region 8</strong></p>   <p>Provo didn't take the senior hit that many other programs did, but losing their 6'6 center to Pleasant Grove leaves a noticeable gap. Even so, the returning group has built real chemistry and clearly leveled up through the summer. [player_tooltip player_id='873280' first='Sage' last='Yenchik'] was a stat machine as a freshman, and now her sister,[player_tooltip player_id='1235143' first='Ember' last='Yenchik'] arrives with her own spark to add to the mix. [player_tooltip player_id='938372' first='Lydia' last='Ibarra'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1277738' first='Emma' last='Martin'] were the defensive thieves of the roster, and together they could turn Provo into a serious problem on the perimeter. Add in [player_tooltip player_id='931426' first='Asha' last='Alletto'], [player_tooltip player_id='921388' first='Valeria' last='Martinez'] as the new anchor in the paint, freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1246445' first='Mia' last='Martinez'], and the wildcard potential of [player_tooltip player_id='796483' first='Alanis' last='Hall'], and Provo has plenty of pieces to cover last year's loss while pushing for an even better finish.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MOUNTAIN VIEW</h2>   <p>Record: 15-8. <strong>3rd in Region 8</strong></p>   <p>Mountain View lost what feels like an entire rotation to graduation, but the cupboard isn't empty. They return several of their statistical anchors, and with a couple of new additions, this group becomes one of the more intriguing “wait and see” teams in the region. [player_tooltip player_id='796845' first='Jaycee' last='Carlson'] was the heartbeat last season, leading in rebounds, steals, and blocks, and she'll again be the player opponents circle on scouting reports. [player_tooltip player_id='1250448' first='Sienna' last='Bramble'] logged meaningful minutes and steady production, and her expanded role should help stabilize the lineup. [player_tooltip player_id='1308548' first='Saralynn' last='Hair'], hovering near the six-foot mark, will be leaned on more heavily as interior presence becomes a premium for this roster. The biggest new wrinkle is [player_tooltip player_id='997495' first='Liv' last='Rassmussen']. Her combination of athleticism, shot-making, and defensive impact could completely reshape how Mountain View operates. How they blend her into the returning core may determine just how high their ceiling climbs.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">UINTAH</h2>   <p>Record: 11-13. <strong>4th in Region 8</strong></p>   <p>Uintah loses only three seniors, which puts them in a far better position than many teams around them, and they could easily come back stronger than they were a season ago. Their anchor is unmistakably [player_tooltip player_id='854299' first='Kenadie' last='Maughan'], the literal and figurative centerpiece who will shape everything they do on both ends of the floor. Around her, [player_tooltip player_id='1312254' first='Aunika' last='Gehring'], [player_tooltip player_id='1358698' first='Kiera' last='Meanea'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1358697' first='Taylor' last='Smith'] all logged meaningful stat lines last year and now step into larger shoes as Uintah looks to replace the production of its graduates.</p>   <p>Their challenge is a unique one. Uintah is the lone program in this region that spends hours on the bus for nearly every league game, a grind that can wear on any roster. Whether that travel has quietly limited their ceiling or simply sharpened their resolve remains to be seen. What is clear is that, with their core returning and a proven centerpiece in Maughan, Uintah has every reason to believe this season could be a step forward.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">TIMPANOGOS</h2>   <p>Record: 9-14. <strong>4th in Region 8</strong></p>   <p>Timpanogos could look completely reinvented this season, thanks to a wave of new talent stepping into roles vacated by five graduated seniors. The returning foundation is still there with [player_tooltip player_id='812030' first='Sydnie' last='Lee'], who made a real impact last year and will again be one of the steadying forces of the group. But the biggest shift comes from the influx of players who weren't on the roster a season ago. With Pleasant Grove's roster shuffle, several players sought a new fit, and Timpanogos became the landing spot. [player_tooltip player_id='796475' first='Makayla' last='Boyer'], [player_tooltip player_id='873756' first='Ellie' last='Adams'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1050170' first='Kenzie' last='Boyer'] all arrive from PG, bringing size, skill, and varsity experience that instantly elevate the Timberwolves.</p>   <p>If [player_tooltip player_id='1358700' first='Sadie' last='Anderson'] can build on her promising freshman contributions and blend with the new additions, Timpanogos becomes one of the biggest wildcards in the region. Their ceiling is unclear, but their talent boost is obvious. Teams preparing for them this season won't quite know what to expect, and that unpredictability could make Timpanogos dangerous.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">OREM</h2>   <p>Record: 4-20. <strong>6th in Region 8.</strong></p>   <p>Orem is searching for a spark to get their offense humming again. Their top bucket-getter has transferred across town to Mountain View, leaving a noticeable gap in the scoring column. After graduating five seniors who handled nearly every stat category like seasoned floor generals, the Tigers are stepping into a season full of unanswered questions. Who takes the last shot now? Who controls the tempo? Who becomes the heartbeat of the rebuild?</p>   <p>Two players who may find the ball in their hands a whole lot more are [player_tooltip player_id='1358704' first='Wendy' last='Woll'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1358730' first='Jessica' last='Hull']. If Orem wants to stay competitive in this region, those two might have to lace up and carry a heavier load, possession after possession, while a new identity takes shape. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color">NEW TO REGION</h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SUMMIT ACADEMY</h2>   <p>Record: 6-16. <strong>4th in 3A Region 14.</strong></p>   <p>Summit Academy enters the season already playing from behind. Last year was a grind, and now they're taking a step up into a tougher division where every possession feels heavier. Losing their top stat producer to graduation only widens the gap they'll need to close.</p>   <p>Still, several steady contributors return, and if their growth and chemistry hold firm, this year can become a valuable proving ground. [player_tooltip player_id='827414' first='Sydney' last='Orme'], [player_tooltip player_id='1358707' first='Reagan' last='Morgan'], [player_tooltip player_id='1358728' first='Lula' last='Allred'], and [player_tooltip player_id='827825' first='Sierra' last='Johnson'] all logged real minutes last season, and each will be asked to take on more touches, more responsibility, and more leadership as Summit Academy works to find its footing.</p>   <p></p>

This region remains largely intact after realignment, with only Payson moving out and Summit Academy stepping in from 3A's Region 14. With Payson gone—the defending Region 8 champs—the race for this year's title becomes wide open. The shift creates a fresh landscape, and several teams now have a realistic shot at stepping into the spotlight.