Games to Catch – 2026 First Week

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Region play ramps up this week with a demanding Region 2 slate, as Copper Hills jumps straight into league action, while several other teams close out their challenging preseason schedules.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday January 6</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bingham (9-2) at Copper Hills</strong> (8-4) - Region 2 / Second Game</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In Bingham's second major region test, coming off a narrow three-point win over Mountain Ridge, they'll face a Copper Hills team that's difficult to game-plan for. Copper's scoring threats shift from night to night — one game it's [player_tooltip player_id='922382' first='Ella' last='Creer'] taking over from the perimeter, the next it's [player_tooltip player_id='1248994' first='Makayla' last='Staker'] attacking the paint and finishing possessions. That unpredictability can work in Copper's favor if Bingham focuses too heavily on shutting down one or two options. Copper Hills needs to clean up its late-game execution, particularly in the fourth quarter, where turnovers have crept in when they build a lead. Managing tempo and valuing possessions down the stretch will be critical to closing out games they otherwise control.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On the other side, Copper Hills will have to account for Bingham's own go-to pieces, starting with [player_tooltip player_id='796474' first='Evalyn' last='Roberts'], who consistently sets the tone. Copper has shown the ability to control tempo, but when playing with a lead, they can become careless, over-dribbling, and opening the door to turnovers. Copper Hills needs to clean up its late-game execution, particularly in the fourth quarter, where turnovers have crept in when they build a lead. If Bingham maintains its pressure and disrupts Copper's guards early, the turnover battle could be the deciding factor by the final buzzer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bingham Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='796474' first='Evalyn' last='Roberts'], [player_tooltip player_id='875180' first='Lanie' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='805794' first='Brizzy' last='Cottle'], [player_tooltip player_id='796469' first='Veanna' last='Pau'u'], [player_tooltip player_id='875185' first='Avery' last='Aiono'], [player_tooltip player_id='789053' first='Stacia' last='Peoples'], [player_tooltip player_id='805797' first='Quinn' last='Porter'], [player_tooltip player_id='796801' first='Hannah' last='Harmon'], Lilly Henderson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Copper Hills Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='922382' first='Ella' last='Creer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1248994' first='Makayla' last='Staker'], [player_tooltip player_id='1238745' first='Elise' last='Southworth'], [player_tooltip player_id='1206007' first='Abby' last='Bush'], [player_tooltip player_id='1325144' first='Addie' last='Guymon'], [player_tooltip player_id='1325143' first='Kynzie' last='Petter'], [player_tooltip player_id='796851' first='Sela' last='Ama']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1,"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|primary"}}}},"textColor":"primary"} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color">Game of the Week</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Pleasant Grove (13-0) at Kanab (11-0)</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This matchup between two of the last remaining unbeaten teams in the state could hinge on play in the paint. No team has yet shown a consistent answer for Pleasant Grove's center, [player_tooltip player_id='873276' first='Sutton' last='Villa'], but Kanab's D1 commit [player_tooltip player_id='790604' first='Rylee' last='Little'] may present the toughest test she's faced. Rylee's experience and physicality give Kanab a chance to compete inside, but the difference could come down to depth. While Kanab gets scoring help from [player_tooltip player_id='1310851' first='Kaycee' last='Castagno'], [player_tooltip player_id='1379825' first='Jaydee' last='Houston'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1503104' first='Carsyn' last='Cutler'], Little remains the clear focal point. Pleasant Grove, on the other hand, is powered by [player_tooltip player_id='796796' first='Tabitha' last='Clark'], Villa, and a supporting cast of players who have already surpassed the 100-point mark this season. Overall experience and balance favor the Vikings, and Rylee will need to shoulder a heavy load for Kanab to pull off the upset.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasant Grove Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='796796' first='Tabitha' last='Clark'], [player_tooltip player_id='873276' first='Sutton' last='Villa'], [player_tooltip player_id='796499' first='Janiece' last='Sikander'], [player_tooltip player_id='796473' first='Zuri' last='Nordstrom'], [player_tooltip player_id='879706' first='Cash' last='Connors'], [player_tooltip player_id='875195' first='Aaliyah' last='Sikander'], [player_tooltip player_id='1246467' first='Ruby' last='Mosman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1049025' first='Amaiya' last='Kennerly'], [player_tooltip player_id='1600356' first='Keira' last='Hadley']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kanab Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='790604' first='Rylee' last='Little'], [player_tooltip player_id='1310851' first='Kaycee' last='Castagno'], [player_tooltip player_id='1379825' first='Jaydee' last='Houston'], [player_tooltip player_id='1239835' first='Taylin' last='Kelly'], [player_tooltip player_id='1503104' first='Carsyn' last='Cutler'], [player_tooltip player_id='1239835' first='Taylin' last='Kelly'], [player_tooltip player_id='1379816' first='Kenidee' last='Glazier'], Karter Glazier</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Davis (7-5) at American Fork (8-3)</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Both teams enter this matchup with a few losses but strong momentum within their respective regions, making this their final measuring stick before region play begins. American Fork handled business over the break and is clearly led by [player_tooltip player_id='1051328' first='Jalise' last='Chatman'], who controls tempo and sets the tone on both ends of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='1542894' first='Brooke' last='Grunander'] has recently stepped into a larger role, providing the Cavemen with another reliable option. This is a game that could define American Fork's direction moving forward if they show up locked in. Their depth and versatility across the lineup give them a clear advantage, allowing them to apply pressure in waves. Davis will lean heavily on [player_tooltip player_id='827408' first='Kate' last='Willard'], a steady two-way presence, but American Fork's ability to attack with multiple weapons could ultimately separate them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Davis Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='827408' first='Kate' last='Willard'], [player_tooltip player_id='1600558' first='Lydia' last='Tarbet'], [player_tooltip player_id='1600575' first='Hannah' last='Garlock'], [player_tooltip player_id='903560' first='Kiara' last='Zwonitzer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1600597' first='Emma' last='Loveland'], Chloe Peery, [player_tooltip player_id='1324841' first='Cambell' last='Christensen'], Emma Knight, Emy Richards</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>American Fork Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1051328' first='Jalise' last='Chatman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1249685' first='Julia' last='Fugal'], [player_tooltip player_id='1240502' first='Morgan' last='Felix'], [player_tooltip player_id='1542894' first='Brooke' last='Grunander'], [player_tooltip player_id='1568557' first='Maya' last='Durrant'], [player_tooltip player_id='1325017' first='Taylor' last='Jensen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1568567' first='Allison' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='1306793' first='Bekah' last='Jacob']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday January 7</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Morgan at Skyridge</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Morgan closes out its out-of-region slate on Wednesday against Skyridge, and despite the 3A–6A gap, this one has the makings of a competitive matchup. Morgan's edge comes from its balanced scoring and shared responsibility, with [player_tooltip player_id='889503' first='Zoe' last='Rockenfield'] acting as the floor general and a cast of contributors stepping into roles that haven't always been predictable. Skyridge has been tested heavily by Region 2 and an undefeated Pleasant Grove, but this game presents an opportunity for their offense to find more balance and for additional players to emerge as scoring threats, potentially evening the matchup more than the classifications suggest.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Morgan Players to Watch:</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'], Kassidy Wardell, Joyce Odum, Kamri Clark</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Skyridge Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='875188' first='Elena' last='Chiara'], [player_tooltip player_id='1092156' first='Halle' last='Sheffield'], [player_tooltip player_id='1606537' first='Lily' last='Grant'], [player_tooltip player_id='1452552' first='Abby' last='Dotson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1275033' first='Aiden' last='Beck'], Leah Arnell, [player_tooltip player_id='1452554' first='Kayah' last='Perkins'], Nalei Nelson, [player_tooltip player_id='866616' first='Arianne' last='Moeai']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Thursday January 8</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Copper Hills at Mountain Ridge</strong> - Region 2 Game</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mountain Ridge Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='796847' first='Jessica' last='Maynard'], [player_tooltip player_id='805788' first='Kaylee' last='Montgomery'], [player_tooltip player_id='805789' first='Cailin' last='Kehl'], [player_tooltip player_id='866703' first='Jada' last='Jangard'], [player_tooltip player_id='805790' first='McKinley' last='Stowell'], [player_tooltip player_id='805791' first='Sadie' last='Madsen'], [player_tooltip player_id='805787' first='Josephine' last='Lombardi'], [player_tooltip player_id='1157687' first='Claire' last='Pomeroy'], [player_tooltip player_id='952614' first='Maci' last='Larsen']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Ridgeline (8-4) at Mountain Crest</strong> (9-3)</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a Northern Utah region matchup that could shape the trajectory of the season, Ridgeline and Mountain Crest meet Thursday with plenty at stake. Mountain Crest has seen several players grow into varsity roles, and how they handle this test will be telling. Ridgeline brings experience and continuity, and the outcome of this game could provide an early indicator of how the 4A landscape may unfold moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Ridgeline Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='796477' first='Abby' last='Munford'], [player_tooltip player_id='1235913' first='Sam' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='1166547' first='Brooke' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='796498' first='Emy' last='Castleton'], [player_tooltip player_id='1378025' first='Taylee' last='Munford'], [player_tooltip player_id='1327059' first='Sianna' last='Dowdin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1452444' first='Brynlyn' last='Jackson'], Ava Hess, [player_tooltip player_id='1452447' first='Sophie' last='Smith']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mountain Crest Players to Watch:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='997499' first='Emersyn' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='796478' first='Bella' last='Carroll'], [player_tooltip player_id='1230611' first='Leighton' last='Pratt'], [player_tooltip player_id='879708' first='Sage' last='Walker'], Mariana Webb-Barragon, Tara Niemann, Isabella Johnson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->