2A Region 16  Preview and Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><br>As we head into the second year of the current region alignments—with even more changes coming next season—the question is whether last year's contenders will once again rise to the top or if someone is ready to disrupt the standings. With key players graduating, young talent stepping into bigger roles, and new faces joining several programs, some regions could look very different by the end of the season. We take a look at each region, who enters as the favorite, and which teams have the potential to shake things up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><br>Rockwell</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size">Record: 13- 1. 1st in Region 16.<br>Rockwell Marshals<br>The Marshals are starting fresh this year after last season's run to take first in Region 16. They graduated four seniors, including both of their top scorers, and will be a much younger team this season.<br>Though the Marshals will be a different team this year, expect big things from returning starters Brinley Jenson and Kimberlee Jenson as they step into new roles this season and learn to translate the experience they got last year into bigger scoring opportunities.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>American Prep- West Valley</strong><br>Record: 10-4. 2nd in Region 16.<br>American Prep-West Valley Eagles<br>The Eagles graduated five seniors this last year. However, even losing such a large number of players, the Eagles' top five scorers remain untouched. This means their team will have the largest group of varsity-experienced players returning in this region.<br>Expect returning players Victoria Lado, Manamanya Ocwor, and Kaitlyn Olevao to continue being scoring options for the Eagles and to come back this season with enough experience on a varsity court and now playing with each other as teammates as well, to impact their play on region champs in the 2026-27 season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><br><strong>Freedom Prep Academy</strong><br>Record: 10-4. 3rd in Region 16.<br>Freedom Prep Eagles<br>The Eagles are in a good position this year as they return the top offensive performer in the region with [player_tooltip player_id='1696936' first='Daniela' last='Jimenez-Ferrari']. Jimenez-Ferrari, who averaged 19pts a game last season, will return for her senior season and hopefully make just as big a scoring impact for the Eagles. Though they graduated two seniors, the Eagles will have the continuity of three of their starters returning to play this season.<br>Keep an eye on Jennifer Flores Cid and Marieke-Alina Kirchhoff to continue personal player development and be ready to help facilitate and score for the Eagles offense this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Vanguard Academy</strong><br>Record: 9-4. 4th in Region 16.<br>Vanguard Valiants<br>The Valiants graduated only two seniors last season, and with five juniors returning for their senior year, this once-young team will now have a very experienced roster. Keep an eye on Melina Young to have a breakout season as she develops a feel for her new role this season. Young averaged the second most points for the Valiants at 10pts a game and will be returning with a bigger role to fill.<br>Though a younger team, we can see a balanced stat sheet for their returning players, meaning a fairly equal contribution to the team's point production. This means their team has the biggest bench depth of the region, giving them quite a bit of an advantage as they return players used to contributing at the varsity level. Expect to see more on-court responsibility for Samantha Jacobs, Naconna O'Brien, and Aly Sessions. All of whom will need to step into production roles this season with the team's loss of its top scorer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><br><strong>Salt Lake Academy</strong><br>Record: 4-10. 5th in Region 16.<br>Salt Lake Academy Griffins<br>The Griffins graduated four seniors, including their top scorer, but will still be returning quite a few younger players who were entrusted to scoring roles last season. Expect to see [player_tooltip player_id='1239824' first='Kenedi' last='Harris'], and Andrea Prieto dominate the scoreboard together as they continue their developed rhythm and build with their incoming freshman.<br>In the 2025 season, the Griffins coaching staff did a good job of distributing playing time, and we can expect to see a more developed program as they return players more comfortable playing at a varsity level and pace than others in their region.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>Merit Prep Academy</strong><br>Record: 4-10<br>Merit Academy Knights<br>The Knights are in a comfortable position this year, as they graduated only one senior and are returning four of their starters. Kya Snyder will be returning as the Knights' top scorer, and her leadership, paired with the cohesion gained from a season of playing together, will give the Knights a competitive boost.<br>Keep an eye on returning Ella Jay, Sarai Gambler, and Catherine Petersenn to continue developing and pushing the Knights to bigger success. Their contributions to the Knights' offense last season are not to be overlooked and having an offseason to progress gives us a lot to look forward to with this group.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><br>Wasatch Academy</strong><br>Record: 3-10<br>Wasatch Academy Tigers<br>The Tigers will be a senior-heavy program this year. Even though they graduated two seniors, they will return six juniors for their own senior seasons. Carmen Samake, Cora Brandenburg, Samra Manalai, and Mariam Samake were all offensive contributors who will be returning.<br>With the cohesion this group will have from the year of experience and the addition of their incoming freshman, this group will be very comfortable with the region's competition. We expect this team to grow a lot this season as their seniors step into bigger opportunities for the Tigers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><br><strong>Utah Military Academy-Camp Williams</strong><br>Record: 4-10<br>Utah Military Academy- Camp Williams Marauders<br>The Marauders are returning their top scorer with Anastasia Nell. Nell averaged 10 points a game last year in her freshman season, and we are expecting to see more from her this season as she continues to develop her game.<br>Though they graduated two seniors, the Marauders will return a young roster. Keep your eye on Isabella Farman, Makena Wahl, and Tiani Toki this season as they continue to get big minutes. With such a young group, this is another team to watch in the next couple of seasons as their players continue to develop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><br><strong>Mountain Valley</strong><br>Record: New Team<br>Mountain Valley Warriors<br>The Warriors will be a brand new program this year. A new school will mean a new team, coaching staff, and new competition to the region. Though we do not have an idea of what this program will look like quite yet, we are excited to see the first season of Warriors basketball.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong><br>PREDICTIONS:<br>1. APA-West Valley<br>2. Vanguard<br>3. Freedom Prep<br>4. Rockwell<br>5. Salt Lake Academy<br>6. Merit<br>7. Utah Military Academy- Camp Williams<br>8. Wasatch<br>9. Mountain Valley</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->