Section 7 Preview – Part 2

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The next two divisions at Section 7 feature four Utah teams looking to make their mark against strong regional competition. While the top brackets grab much of the national attention, these divisions still offer valuable opportunities for teams to gain experience, build chemistry, and showcase emerging talent heading into the high school season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The final two divisions of the event are reserved exclusively for Arizona programs, so we won't be covering those brackets here. Instead, our focus shifts to the four Utah teams competing in these middle divisions and the players who could use the weekend to elevate their stock and make an impact for their programs moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">AIA Division</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Cedar Valley</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Cedar Valley High School brings one of the more veteran guard groups to Arizona, with plenty of experience handling the ball and running an offense. [player_tooltip player_id='935878' first='Daisy' last='Thayne'], [player_tooltip player_id='1239464' first='Sadie' last='Johnson'], and [player_tooltip player_id='827410' first='Savannah' last='Klodt'] all provide strong ball movement, court vision, and the ability to control tempo. Their experience in the backcourt should allow the Aviators to handle pressure and keep the offense organized.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The biggest question mark for Cedar Valley could be in the paint. The Aviators will likely rely heavily on Kahlyn Lemusu to provide interior defense, rebounding, and a physical presence around the basket. Against bigger, more athletic teams, her role could become even more important.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1871103' first='Isabel' last='Levorsen'] will also need to step into an increased leadership role and provide meaningful contributions on both ends of the floor. If Cedar Valley can get production inside to complement its experienced guard play, the Aviators have enough talent and balance to be a competitive team throughout the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Provo</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Provo High School enters Section 7 with a major advantage: experience. With only one senior lost from last season, the Bulldogs return much of their core and should have strong chemistry and familiarity on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1235143' first='Ember' last='Yenchik'] and [player_tooltip player_id='873280' first='Sage' last='Yenchik'] form one of the most impressive ball-handling duos we've seen, capable of breaking pressure, controlling tempo, and creating offense for themselves and others. They also have quality targets inside with [player_tooltip player_id='921388' first='Valaria' last='Martinez'] and [player_tooltip player_id='931426' first='Asha' last='Alletto'], giving Provo balance between its perimeter play and post presence. [player_tooltip player_id='938372' first='Lydia' last='Ibarra'] adds another experienced piece and further rounds out a veteran lineup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What makes Provo especially intriguing is its overall depth. This is one of the more well-rounded teams in its bracket, and the bench brings experience as well. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='1800524' first='Anya' last='Crockett'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1246445' first='Mia' last='Martinez'] could find valuable minutes and have opportunities to deliver in key moments. With a combination of skilled guards, capable post players, and a deep rotation, Provo has the pieces to be a tough out this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">SLAM Grafix Division</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Mountain Ridge</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mountain Ridge High School enters the weekend with very few surprises in its lineup, as many of its key contributors have already logged significant varsity minutes. [player_tooltip player_id='805789' first='Cailin' last='Kehl'], [player_tooltip player_id='805788' first='Kaylee' last='Montgomery'], [player_tooltip player_id='805787' first='Josephine' last='Lombardi'], and [player_tooltip player_id='805790' first='McKinley' last='Stowell'] are all familiar faces who bring experience and stability to the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The intriguing storyline, however, could be the emergence of some of last year's JV standouts. Several younger players have an opportunity to step into bigger roles and potentially have their varsity breakout moments this weekend. The Sentinels are in the opposite bracket from the other Utah team, making a matchup with a familiar opponent unlikely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Arizona opponents will likely look to capitalize on the loss of Mountain Ridge's center from last season, testing the Sentinels' interior depth and rebounding. If younger players such as [player_tooltip player_id='1675250' first='Mikaela' last='Marshall'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1675643' first='Ramona' last='Watson'] can help fill that void, they could become key pieces for this team moving forward. Keep an eye on [player_tooltip player_id='1246446' first='Tialani' last='Ramos'] as well, as she has the potential to gain traction and emerge as another impactful contributor during the weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Snow Canyon</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Snow Canyon High School is another Utah team that will be tested by a gauntlet of Arizona competition no matter which side of the bracket it lands on, beginning with a matchup against a team from Chandler, Arizona. The Warriors also bring one of the largest Utah rosters to the event, loaded with a mix of established contributors and emerging young talent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='796500' first='Kaylin' last='Wynia'] should continue to anchor the interior and provide a dominant presence in the paint, while [player_tooltip player_id='875186' first='Falynn' last='Randall'] will be relied upon to control the perimeter and create offense. What makes Snow Canyon especially dangerous, though, is everything in between those two stars. The Warriors have depth, versatility, and a bench that could prove to be one of the deeper groups in attendance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Young talents [player_tooltip player_id='957124' first='Braylee' last='Chesley'], Piper Mackey, and [player_tooltip player_id='1243046' first='Alyvia' last='Kozlowski'] all bring energy and upside to the floor, giving Snow Canyon quality minutes throughout the rotation. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='1359503' first='Makasini' last='Fonua'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1871124' first='Brielle' last='Erickson'] could be entering their breakout seasons. Erickson, at 6-foot-2, gives the Warriors another legitimate post presence and provides an excellent complement and relief option for Wynia. With their size, depth, and balance across the roster, Snow Canyon has the pieces to make a strong showing this weekend.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->