5A Toughest Pre-Season Lineup - Maple Mountain

If there's a team wasting no time jumping straight into the fire, it's Maple Mountain. Their preseason slate is one of the toughest in the state, as they'll face all three defending state champions from 4A, 5A, and 6A. It's an aggressive schedule that will immediately show where they stand and what adjustments need to be made before region play begins.   Maple Mountain's ability to compete in these matchups will depend heavily on its defensive discipline and how quickly its new rotation settles in. These games will test their speed, physicality, and execution against the very best Utah has to offer. Whether they come out with wins or simply battle through close contests, this opening stretch will sharpen them for the long run and give a clear picture of how dangerous they can be once the season gets rolling.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">December 5 - Lone Peak - 6A State Title Holder</h2>   This is the toughest matchup Maple Mountain will face. Lone Peak returns to the hardwood as the number one team in the state and is loaded with high-end talent, including Division I commits and a deep bench. Their guards dictate pace, and their rim protection forces teams to shoot over length.   [player_tooltip player_id='825009' first='Leah' last='Bailey'] (Jr | 5'8" | Wing/Guard)   Leah must be Maple's most composed ball-handler. Lone Peak thrives on pressure and her ability to protect the ball, handle traps, and make the right read will determine if Maple stays competitive. Her goal will be to limit live-ball turnovers, hit mid-range shots under pressure, and stay poised.   [player_tooltip player_id='796806' first='Ashlynn' last='Lainhart'] (Sr | 5'6" | PG)   As a senior point guard, she must control pace, prevent run-and-gun momentum swings, and slow Lone Peak down. She'll have to manage the tempo, draw fouls, and get Maple into late-clock sets instead of rushed shots.   [player_tooltip player_id='1092174' first='Jemima' last='Griffin'] (So | 6'2" | Post/Wing)   Lone Peak has length, but Jemima can neutralize their rim presence if she plays physically and hits early seals. She'll have to win small battles such as rebounds, second-chance buckets, and drawing fouls.   To be effective against Lone Peak:   Maple will have to avoid getting sped up and turn this into a half-court game and rely on their discipline as opposed to raw athleticism.   Lone Peak players to watch out for:   [player_tooltip player_id='796745' first='Kennedy' last='Woolston'], [player_tooltip player_id='849040' first='Lave' last='Holdcraft'], [player_tooltip player_id='673099' first='Tatiana' last='Harness'], [player_tooltip player_id='804252' first='Madeline' last='Pope'], [player_tooltip player_id='875181' first='Huni' last='Folau'], [player_tooltip player_id='952625' first='Peyton' last='Warner'], [player_tooltip player_id='873278' first='Jordan' last='Moeaki'] and [player_tooltip player_id='873282' first='Charli' last='Warner'].   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">December 9 - Bountiful - 5A State Title Holder</h2>   This will be Maple Mountain's most telling litmus test. Bountiful is strong, disciplined, and team-oriented — not overwhelmingly tall, but highly structured and efficient. They bring tough perimeter defenders and system scoring.   [player_tooltip player_id='825009' first='Leah' last='Bailey']   Leah will have to generate offense when Maple faces scoring droughts — Bountiful won't give up easy looks. Her takeaway for this game will be shot creation, drawing second defender, and kick-outs for corner threes.   [player_tooltip player_id='796850' first='Shay' last='Brown'] (Sr | 5'7" | SG)   Bountiful collapses the lane, so perimeter role players like Shay need to knock down rhythm threes. Her number one priority in this game will be to be ready to shoot off penetration, make quick decisions.   [player_tooltip player_id='1377928' first='Estee' last='Jackson'] (Fr | 6'0" | Wing/Forward) (new addition)   Size on the wing helps against physical defenders. Estee will be just the size Maple needs. She will need to use length defensively, crash weak-side boards, and be active without needing isolation.   To be effective against Bountiful: Consistency. Bountiful won't allow runs — Maple must execute, stay patient, and be willing to win ugly.   Bountiful players to watch out for:   [player_tooltip player_id='796795' first='Milika' last='Satuala'], [player_tooltip player_id='856279' first='Adelaide' last='Stevenson'], [player_tooltip player_id='827404' first='Maleah' last='Nelson'], Charlotte Johnson, [player_tooltip player_id='1239636' first='Ava' last='Clark'], and May Hale.   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">December 18 - Ridgeline - 4A State Title Holder</h2>   This is a competitive matchup on paper. Ridgeline is fundamentally strong, well-coached, and brings a blend of youth and shooting. They lack the size Maple has, but they make up for it with ball movement and high-IQ guard play.   [player_tooltip player_id='796806' first='Ashlynn' last='Lainhart']   Lainhart has a veteran guard advantage, and she should control the tempo and attack the younger Ridgeline defenders. Her advantage will come if she can exploit the experience gap — tempo control, getting to the line, and reading overhelp.   [player_tooltip player_id='1092174' first='Jemima' last='Griffin']   Maple holds a size advantage here, and Jemima could have one of her highest-impact games of the season. If she can dominate inside with offensive rebounds, post positioning, and rim protection.   [player_tooltip player_id='1092164' first='Anna' last='Ellsworth'] (So | 5'10" | Stretch Wing)   Her ability to stretch Ridgeline's smaller forwards will open cutting lanes. Hit corner and pick-pop threes, reduce crowding in the paint.   To be effective against Ridgeline: Exploit maturity, size, and experience. Maple can win by forcing Ridgeline out of comfort zones — making it physical, leveraging age, and playing structured basketball.   Ridgeline players to watch out for:   Ava Hess, [player_tooltip player_id='1166547' first='Brooke' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='1378025' first='Taylee' last='Munford'], [player_tooltip player_id='796477' first='Abby' last='Munford'], [player_tooltip player_id='796498' first='Emy' last='Castleton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1322728' first='Amelia' last='Saltern'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1235913' first='Sam' last='Brown'] .   <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity" />   TAKEAWAYS: If Maple Mountain can harness its returning talent, improve execution in big games, and continue to build chemistry, it should be able to move to the upper part of its region. Their season will likely be defined by how they handle the tough non-region tests and how they perform in region play. Their region still has some bumps they will have to face, with games against Pleasant Grove and Wasatch before they reach playoff week.

If there's a team wasting no time jumping straight into the fire, it's Maple Mountain. Their preseason slate is one of the toughest in the state, as they'll face all three defending state champions from 4A, 5A, and 6A. It's an aggressive schedule that will immediately show where they stand and what adjustments need to be made before region play begins.