5A - Region 4 - Transfers Could Matter

<p>Traditionally, Region 4 has struggled to make deep postseason runs and has often been overshadowed by some of the state's powerhouse regions. West changed that narrative last season, running through region play before making it all the way to the state championship game, where its season ended against Pleasant Grove.</p>   <p>This year presents a different challenge. West will be rebuilding parts of its roster while several teams around the region appear ready to take a step forward. How quickly the Panthers can put their new pieces together—and whether one of those improving programs can take advantage—could determine who walks away with the Region 4 trophy this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WEST</h2>   <p>Record: 25-2. <strong>1st in Region 6.</strong> <strong>2nd Place 5A Championship.</strong></p>   <p>West may have the biggest rebuilding job in the region after losing its top three contributors across nearly every major statistical category, but the Panthers are bringing in enough new talent to make the rebuild especially interesting. [player_tooltip player_id='875194' first='Sinoveti' last='Uhatafe'], Alesha Aumua, and Bet Iloa could provide some returning experience, but the real difference could come from the infusion of [player_tooltip player_id='875181' first='Huni' last='Folau'], [player_tooltip player_id='875185' first='Avery' last='Aiono'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1800505' first='Tyanna' last='Tapusoa'].<br>There may not be a headline Division I name leading this group, but there is plenty of talent and even more unknown about what this new combination of players could become. If West can quickly establish roles and develop chemistry between its returning and incoming pieces, the Panthers may be able to replace more of that lost production than expected. The roster will look considerably different, but that doesn't necessarily mean West is ready to give up its spot at the top of Region 4.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WEST JORDAN</h2>   <p>Record: 18-6. <strong>2nd in Region 4.</strong></p>   <p>West Jordan lost a few pieces from last season, but the bulk of its returning roster has already shown it can contribute in a variety of ways. Rather than relying on one or two players to carry the load, the Jaguars return production across several statistical categories, giving them a solid foundation to build around.</p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='843962' first='Francine' last='McIntyre'] and [player_tooltip player_id='952624' first='Kalei' last='Makakona'] should remain two of the most important pieces on the floor after seeing a significant share of the action last season. [player_tooltip player_id='827407' first='Ava' last='Tupou'] returns after finishing second on the team in scoring, while Saianea Lolohea gives West Jordan a presence inside after averaging around five rebounds per game and contributing as a shot blocker. Naveah Crosby brings another dimension in the backcourt, averaging around two assists and nearly three steals per game while shooting 56 percent from the free-throw line. [player_tooltip player_id='997497' first='Lia' last='Benson'] adds another returning option to a group with plenty of opportunities to contribute.</p>   <p>Perhaps most encouraging for West Jordan is how much responsibility its younger players already handled. The three youngest players on the roster accounted for much of the team's playmaking and assists, while Kalei and Francine were heavily involved throughout the season. That experience should matter now that those players are another year older and have had more time to develop together.</p>   <p>West Jordan's season ended with a first-round loss to Springville last year, but this is a group that shouldn't be looking simply to get back to the postseason. With production returning at multiple positions and its young core gaining experience, the Jaguars have the pieces to improve their standing and put themselves in position to make a deeper run this time around.<a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/player/tofi-de-la-cerna/"></a></p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">HUNTER</h2>   <p>Record: 12-12. <strong>3rd in Region 4.</strong></p>   <p>Hunter took another step forward last season, improving its record to an even .500 and showing continued progress. At the center of nearly everything was [player_tooltip player_id='825055' first='Grace' last='Gallagher'], the 6'3" standout who has already drawn Division I interest. After a dominant sophomore campaign, Gallagher elevated her production again as a junior, leading Hunter in field goal percentage, scoring, and rebounding. Her defensive presence remained just as impressive, increasing her block total from 139 the previous season to an incredible 159.</p>   <p>The bigger question for Hunter is how it replaces much of the supporting production that surrounded Gallagher. [player_tooltip player_id='1239832' first='Sydni' last='Miller'] could be one of the players ready to take on more responsibility, while Malinita Kinikini gives the Wolverines another presence on the glass after averaging around six rebounds per game. Taylee Randall Umi also adds some rim protection, averaging more than a block per game.</p>   <p>There is no question who Hunter can build around, but Gallagher can't be expected to carry the entire load. If Miller, Kinikini, Randall Umi, and a few additional players can emerge as consistent contributors, the Wolverines have an opportunity to push beyond .500 and become a much tougher team to handle in the region.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">GRANGER</h2>   <p>Record: 11-13. <strong>4th in Region 4.</strong></p>   <p>Granger put together an impressive first run in 5A, all things considered, finishing fourth in Region 4 and showing it could compete at the higher classification. The Lancers return two important pieces in [player_tooltip player_id='839444' first='Hoku' last='Pili'] and Kota Barber, giving them some experience to build around as they look to take another step forward.</p>   <p>Pili will once again be at the center of what Granger does. She was the team's go-to scorer and all-around leader last season, producing efficiently both from beyond the arc and around the lane. Her impact extended well beyond scoring, as she dominated the glass, more than doubling her teammates in rebounds, while also contributing blocks and the hustle plays that don't always make the stat sheet. Pili is the engine that makes this team go, but Granger's ability to improve on last season's fourth-place finish will depend on Barber and others stepping up around her. If the Lancers can find more consistent production beyond Pili, they could put some pressure on the teams ahead of them in the Region 4 standings.</p>   <p><strong>Players of Note:</strong></p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1862296' first='Sofiah' last='Ashworth']</p>   <p>Agnes Kuita</p>   <p>May Nydegger</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">HILLCREST</h2>   <p>Record: 7-17. <strong>5th in Region 4</strong></p>   <p>Hillcrest's first year in 5A proved every bit as challenging as expected, but the Huskies managed to avoid finishing at the bottom of the region and showed they could compete in stretches. [player_tooltip player_id='1092177' first='Sam' last='Sebahar'] was one of their most consistent contributors across the stat sheet and gives Hillcrest a proven piece to build around, but they'll need more production surrounding her if they hope to climb the Region 4 standings.</p>   <p>Josie Haddock and [player_tooltip player_id='1243038' first='Piper' last='Pew'] are two players who could be asked to take on bigger roles and help balance the scoring and overall production. Their development will be especially important as Hillcrest continues adjusting to the 5A level and works to build greater chemistry and confidence. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">TAYLORSVILLE</h2>   <p>Record: 5-18. <strong>6th in Region 4.</strong></p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='805800' first='Tessa' last='Duke'] and Amari Aguila carried much of the load for Taylorsville last season, but it was still a difficult year for the Warriors. If they hope to move up in the standings, they'll need more players to emerge around their returning leaders and provide consistent production on both ends of the floor.</p>   <p>Fadilah Salami could be an important part of that, as she was already in the mix last season and contributed across nearly every statistical category. Beyond that core, however, there isn't a lot of proven production waiting in the wings. Taylorsville will need significant growth from its returning players and some new contributors to emerge if it hopes to turn things around. There are pieces to build around, but the Warriors may have one of the steeper climbs in the region this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">CYPRUS</h2>   <p>Record: 4-18. <strong>7th in Region 4.</strong></p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1239838' first='Anaiyah' last='Fesoli'] and [player_tooltip player_id='952603' first='Paige' last='Sharp'] are the primary returning pieces for Cyprus, giving the Pirates a couple of players with varsity experience to build around. Beyond those two, there's not a lot of proven production returning, meaning Cyprus will need someone else to step up and establish herself as a consistent contributor if the Pirates hope to improve this season.</p>   <p>Cyprus is also the first team in our region outlook that could eventually benefit from the upcoming classification changes, which will be based more heavily on program performance. Competing at the 5A level has presented its challenges, and a potential move into a lower classification could put the Pirates in a much different competitive position. With programs more closely aligned by performance, Cyprus could build confidence, become more competitive within its region, and give players like Fesoli and Sharp a better chance to turn their individual production into team success.</p>   <p><strong>Players of Note:</strong></p>   <p>Sierra Fowler, [player_tooltip player_id='1859981' first='Querenne' last='Nyamuhebe'], [player_tooltip player_id='952621' first='Candace' last='Mecham'], and Kaylee Thomsen.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">KEARNS</h2>   <p>Record: 2-21. <strong>8th in Region 4.</strong></p>   <p>Kearns struggled to pull together some wins last season, and their biggest struggle is to find players who stay in the region and area to play. The new UHSAA alignment coming next year should be helpful for their program and take them out of the way of some of the tougher and more competitive teams in their region and area.</p>   <p><strong>Players of note:</strong></p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1708015' first='Maliya' last='Falaniko'] [player_tooltip player_id='1092173' first='Marie' last='Angilau-Lea']</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Region 4 Predictions:</h2>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">1) West Jordan</h4>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">2) West</h4>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">3) Hunter</h4>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">4) Granger</h4>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">5) Hillcrest</h4>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">6) Taylorsville</h4>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">7) Cyprus</h4>   <h4 class="wp-block-heading">8) Kearns</h4>

Traditionally, Region 4 has struggled to make deep postseason runs and has often been overshadowed by some of the state's powerhouse regions. West changed that narrative last season, running through region play before making it all the way to the state championship game, where its season ended against Pleasant Grove.