3A Top Contenders – 1 Month Remaining

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With one month left until the title is decided, we look at who sits atop 3A currently and who is helping them deliver for each respective program.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">1 - Delta (15-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Delta's toughest same-classification test so far came on the road against Morgan, a game where the final score didn't reflect how tight it truly was. One of Delta's biggest strengths is their unpredictability—opponents can't key in on just one scorer, as different players step into impact roles from night to night. When primary options are pressured or have an off game, others are ready to fill the gaps without a drop-off. The remainder of their schedule doesn't present much resistance, which could be a double-edged sword as they head into postseason play and look to stay sharp against higher-level competition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Delta Contributors:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1311334' first='Madison' last='Eliason'], [player_tooltip player_id='1230559' first='Joslyn' last='Christiansen'], Raygan Callister, Raynee Western, Kylan Bunker, [player_tooltip player_id='1380885' first='Kambri' last='Mecham'], Fallon Johnson, Meloni Jacobson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2 - Morgan (9-9)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morgan is starting to come together at the right point in the season, and their record doesn't fully capture how strong they are. They played one of the toughest preseason schedules, taking losses that ultimately accelerated their growth rather than slowing them down. As they move into region play, the biggest challenges appear to be Grantsville and possibly Ogden. [player_tooltip player_id='889503' first='Zoe' last='Rockenfield'] remains a steady presence no matter the matchup or pressure, consistently controlling the tempo and creating opportunities. Her ability to keep Makayla involved, along with reliable support behind them, gives Morgan a balanced, capable roster that could carry them deep into the season. When defenses collapse on Zoe, she finds Makayla, and Makayla can make teams pay for that. If those two are in rhythm, Morgan is very hard to beat. To claim No. 1, Morgan needs the head-to-head win over Delta.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Morgan Contributors:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='829853' first='Makayla' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='889503' first='Zoe' last='Rockenfield'], [player_tooltip player_id='1363933' first='Bella' last='Nelson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1363934' first='Kamry' last='Wardell'], [player_tooltip player_id='1565119' first='Kendal' last='Williams'], Leone Mafi</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">3 - North Sanpete (13-5)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Sanpete has been rolling, and [player_tooltip player_id='1319075' first='Mariah' last='Schlappi'] has been a major reason why. She poured in 29 points in their win over Emery and has elevated her play throughout the preseason. The losses on their record have come against higher-ranked opponents or teams from larger classifications, and the way they've responded shows growth. They're building momentum at the right point in the season and look like a group that could surprise teams once tournament play arrives.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North Sanpete Contributors: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1319075' first='Mariah' last='Schlappi'], [player_tooltip player_id='1230545' first='Malia' last='Schlappi'], Elsie Bailey, [player_tooltip player_id='1357982' first='Aydree' last='Jacobson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1319080' first='Savannah' last='Christensen'], Jaycee Walker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">4 - Grantsville (7-11)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Grantsville is better than its record suggests. Several of their losses have come against strong 6A competition, and they also played a tight game against the team currently ranked No. 2, showing they can compete at a high level. Their region slate should only help sharpen them heading into the state playoffs, with matchups against Morgan, Ogden, and Layton Christian still ahead. With a new coach and a new team identity taking shape, [player_tooltip player_id='952640' first='Emmy' last='Butler'] and [player_tooltip player_id='884190' first='SaDee' last='Castagno'] have quickly emerged as leaders, helping build a squad that's becoming one to reckon with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Grantsville Contributors: </strong>[player_tooltip player_id='952640' first='Emmy' last='Butler'], [player_tooltip player_id='884190' first='SaDee' last='Castagno'], [player_tooltip player_id='952605' first='Kamry' last='Allen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1379880' first='Saydee' last='Thornton'], [player_tooltip player_id='952642' first='Haizlee' last='Hall'], AlyBree Rogers</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">5 - Emery (10-7)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Emery has navigated a diverse schedule, facing teams with varying styles and strengths, and that experience has shown. Across both region and non-region play, the Spartans have proven they can score in different ways, with production coming from multiple spots on the floor depending on the matchup. [player_tooltip player_id='1676571' first='Aleeyah' last='Cowley'] has emerged as a primary scoring option, delivering big offensive nights against quality opponents and consistently applying pressure to defenses. [player_tooltip player_id='1230103' first='Kabree' last='Gordon'] provides a steady veteran presence, anchoring rotations with experience and helping keep the team composed as lineups adjust throughout games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Emery Contributors:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1676571' first='Aleeyah' last='Cowley'], [player_tooltip player_id='1230103' first='Kabree' last='Gordon'], Skylee Guymon, [player_tooltip player_id='1676585' first='Addie' last='Hurst'], [player_tooltip player_id='1311349' first='Megan' last='Stilson'], Elli Stoker</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Closing In On Top 5 --- Layton Christian (10-7)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>LCA has been one of the tougher teams to gauge so far, with a preseason that's produced mixed results. They've played tight games against lower-classification opponents while also coming out on top in matchups with 4A programs. A loss to 2A Draper APA and a one-point win over 2A North Summit make it difficult to project exactly where they'll land as the season progresses. Upcoming games against Morgan and Grantsville should provide much clearer answers about their ceiling and consistency. [player_tooltip player_id='1293110' first='Ava' last='Smith'] has been the steady presence throughout, serving as the focal point and the player they'll continue to lean on as competition ramps up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Layton Christian Contributors:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1293110' first='Ava' last='Smith'], Sofia Olaya, Gracie Maloney-Holland, [player_tooltip player_id='1142925' first='Fabiana' last='Lopez'], Tuana Sultan, Esmasultan Cosman, Denise Barerra</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->