4A Region 9 Preview - No Team Changes - Lots of Roster Changes

<p>There are major shifts taking shape in this region this season. The lineup of schools stays the same, but the players on the floor bring an entirely new dynamic for several programs. Last year's top finisher faces a steep climb to hold that spot, while teams that spent the year chasing now have a real chance to take advantage of the talent that graduated and reshape the standings.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Snow Canyon - New Roster</h2>   <p>Record: 26-1. <strong>1st in Region 9</strong></p>   <p>This program graduated an entire roster of difference-makers, leaving a wide-open landscape that will only take shape once the ball goes up. The door is open for a long list of players ready to step into the empty spaces and define the next era.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='796500' first='Kaylin' last='Wynia'] has multiple seasons ahead to establish her presence in the paint and become a reliable interior anchor. [player_tooltip player_id='875186' first='Falynn' last='Randall'] found her way into the stat sheet as a freshman and now has a real chance to expand her role. [player_tooltip player_id='1236663' first='Chaylee' last='Andrews'] enters her senior season positioned to lead, having already contributed last year.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1359503' first='Makasini' last='Fonua'], [player_tooltip player_id='1243046' first='Alyvia' last='Kozlowski'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1243045' first='Brooke' last='Gunn'] each have a major opportunity to carve out meaningful roles and influence the team's direction. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='957124' first='Braylee' last='Chesley'] could be the program's future, stepping into the varsity scene with room to grow and plenty of upside.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cedar - Mostly Returning Players</h2>   <p>Record: 14-9. <strong>2nd in Region 9</strong></p>   <p>Losing their three senior captains leaves Cedar without a few major anchors, but the engine of last year's team was [player_tooltip player_id='839480' first='Gabby' last='Gomez']. She's already committed to a Division II program and returns as Cedar's leading scorer and top perimeter threat.</p>   <p>To keep Cedar steady, they'll look to [player_tooltip player_id='1312250' first='Mya' last='Bishoff'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1312249' first='Jaylin' last='York'], both of whom made meaningful contributions last season. Together with Gabby, they could form the core trio that carries much of the load and sets the tone for Cedar this year.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Desert Hills - Previous Roster Intact</h2>   <p>Record: 12-9. <strong>3rd in Region 9</strong></p>   <p>With minimal senior losses, this shapes up as a real chance for Desert Hills to make a move. Their core returns intact, with [player_tooltip player_id='1312242' first='Mylee' last='Villanueva'] expected to keep producing on the scoreboard and young standout Emile Langi positioned to be a major piece of their season. Ellie Heaton and Tess Peterson should carve out steady roles, and [player_tooltip player_id='884193' first='Ysabelle' last='Martinez'] is another player poised to push her way into greater impact.</p>   <p>The roster looks familiar, the chemistry is already seasoned, and a handful of new additions should add depth. After finishing third last year, Desert Hills enters the season with a clear path to climb.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Dixie - Young and Deadly</h2>   <p>Record: 16-11. <strong>4th in Region 9</strong></p>   <p>If there's a team steadily rising in both talent and cohesion, it's Dixie. Their young core is already on the radar, and the foundation they're laying now could keep them in the conversation for years. Senior [player_tooltip player_id='1312261' first='Hayden' last='Stilson'] should see valuable minutes, but the heart of this group lies in the underclassmen who made an impact early.</p>   <p>Dixie didn't graduate many seniors, and two of their key contributors were producing as freshmen. [player_tooltip player_id='873331' first='Izzy' last='Hollingshead'] and Addison Winters form the cornerstone of what Dixie hopes will be a run to the top of the region and a deep postseason push. With additional pieces stepping in to support that core, players like [player_tooltip player_id='1247232' first='Kinley' last='Warrick'] and [player_tooltip player_id='904995' first='Audri' last='Orton'] will be important in building a roster that could become one of the most dangerous in the region for seasons to come.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pine View - Tall and Returning Roster</h2>   <p>Record: 13-12. <strong>5th in Region 9</strong></p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='796800' first='Reese' last='Gustin'] carried Pine View across the stat sheet last season, and her supporting cast returns intact. The two seniors they graduated weren't major pieces, which means most of the core chemistry stays in place. With another year of experience together, Reese, along with 6'2" [player_tooltip player_id='789057' first='Ella' last='Fiefia'], [player_tooltip player_id='796846' first='Casey' last='Morley'], [player_tooltip player_id='879700' first='Charity' last='Falaniko'], and Hayden Harris, forms a group that will be difficult to contain.</p>   <p>Pine View has the size, the versatility, and the returning production to push for the top spot this season, and they'll enter the year with a clear path to make that climb.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Crimson Cliffs - Will Rely on 2 Returners.</h2>   <p>Record: 5-16. <strong>6th in Region 9</strong></p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='952468' first='Zanyiah' last='Brinagh'] and [player_tooltip player_id='935889' first='Josie' last='Meyers'] gave Crimson meaningful production last season, and at 6'2", Josie has the size to anchor the paint again. For Crimson to stay relevant in this region and push for anything more, [player_tooltip player_id='965020' first='Jaynee' last='Hahl'], Jayda Alofipo, and [player_tooltip player_id='1247272' first='Ava' last='Phillips'] will need to step forward and carve out consistent impact. Their growth will determine how competitive Crimson can be as the season takes shape.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Hurricane - Incoming Freshman</h2>   <p>Record: 5-19. <strong>7th in Region 9</strong></p>   <p>Hurricane brings in fresh talent that could help spark the winning season they've been searching for. [player_tooltip player_id='965028' first='Laynee' last='Walker'] led in several areas as a sophomore, but with her senior-heavy support group gone, she'll need reinforcements to keep the momentum going. Elle Jenson is a candidate to elevate her role, and the arrival of freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1238736' first='McKinley' last='Slack'] may be exactly what this program needs. She's quick, sees the floor well, and should give Hurricane a much-needed boost in both pace and playmaking.</p>

There are major shifts taking shape in this region this season. The lineup of schools stays the same, but the players on the floor bring an entirely new dynamic for several programs. Last year's top finisher faces a steep climb to hold that spot, while teams that spent the year chasing now have a real chance to take advantage of the talent that graduated and reshape the standings.