5A Region 7 Preview - The Tallest Teams in 5A?

<p>Region 7 remains somewhat intact, but netted an extra team with the realignment. Here's what has changed: Cedar Valley bumped to 6A, Region 2, Pleasant Grove is coming in from 6A Region 6, and Payson is coming up from 4A Region 8. Almost all of the teams boast a lineup over 6' and that could be the deciding factor when it comes down to tournament time.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">WASATCH - 2 players above 6'</h2>   <p>Record: 21-4. <strong>1st Place Region 7 </strong></p>   <p>The amount of roster returning for Wasatch does nothing but strengthen their outlook heading into the season—especially as they now enter a region stacked with height and physicality. [player_tooltip player_id='796470' first='Mahala' last='Speardon'], who filled up the stat sheet last year, stands at 6'3" and has only elevated her game over the summer and fall. Even as a junior, she should be the centerpiece of this team, both in production and presence. Supporting her once again are [player_tooltip player_id='789054' first='Danielle' last='Garner'], [player_tooltip player_id='789068' first='Fili' last='Liava'a'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1357903' first='Kate' last='Miller'], all of whom played meaningful roles last season and now bring even more experience to the floor.</p>   <p>Wasatch has also added new talent in a freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1273654' first='McKinley' last='Komaromy'], who should fit into the rotation early and add depth to an already solid core. After falling to the eventual state champions in the quarterfinals last season, this group looks poised to make another deep push—and possibly go even further this time around.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SALEM HILLS</h2>   <p>Record: 20-6. <strong>2nd in Region 7</strong></p>   <p>Salem could be in a rebuilding year, as most of their key contributors have graduated, leaving plenty of opportunity for new talent to step in. [player_tooltip player_id='1119391' first='Alexa' last='Vance'] will shoulder much of the responsibility, and her ability to impact nearly every area of the game last season should serve the program well as she leads a younger, less experienced roster. This year's open roles create a true “anyone's spot to earn” environment at Salem, and players like Kate Barton could see a significant uptick in minutes and responsibility. If the supporting cast can grow quickly around Alexa, Salem has a chance to remain competitive even in a transition year.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">TIMPVIEW</h2>   <p>Record: 14-10. <strong>4th in Region 7.</strong></p>   <p>Timpview is loaded with size this season, and that frontcourt depth could be their biggest weapon in a region stacked with talented bigs. At 6'3", [player_tooltip player_id='997504' first='Stella' last='Madsen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='866700' first='Livi' last='Eyre'] anchor the paint—Livia already proved herself as a reliable rebounder last year, and she'll be expected to repeat that production while expanding her impact. With the overall growth shown by several players over the summer, Timpview has the makings of a true sleeper team.</p>   <p>As a freshman, [player_tooltip player_id='873277' first='Tasi' last='Galeai'] played meaningful minutes and should take another leap this year. If [player_tooltip player_id='827396' first='Leah' last='Atuaia'], [player_tooltip player_id='875196' first='Zion' last='Lloyd'], and [player_tooltip player_id='827409' first='Bella' last='Ballin'] can elevate their roles, Timpview's rotation becomes even more dangerous. Adding another 6'2" post in [player_tooltip player_id='1242990' first='Penny' last='Edwards'] gives them a three-headed interior presence that few teams can match.</p>   <p>The new additions don't stop there. Incoming freshmen [player_tooltip player_id='1246517' first='Elsa' last='Conway'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1248643' first='Cumorah' last='Tupola']—who arrive from out of state—bring fresh talent and upside to a roster that suddenly looks deep, tall, and capable of turning heads this season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SPRINGVILLE</h2>   <p>Record: 13-12. <strong>5th in Region 7.</strong></p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1255454' first='Sami' last='DeLlamas'] returns to Springville as the do-it-all leader, bringing back production in points, steals, and rebounds. With several key seniors gone, the supporting cast will need to elevate their roles in a big way. [player_tooltip player_id='827413' first='Hattie' last='Templeman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1242847' first='Audrey' last='Moore'], [player_tooltip player_id='935874' first='Sammy' last='Hullinger'], and [player_tooltip player_id='866707' first='Bella' last='Esplin'] are the most likely candidates to shoulder that increased load, both offensively and defensively.</p>   <p>Springville will need new contributors to emerge if they hope to improve on last year's record—especially with how competitive the region looks this season. The talent around them has only gotten stronger, so internal growth and consistent play from their returning group will be essential.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">MAPLE MOUNTAIN</h2>   <p>Record: 10-15. <strong>6th in Region 7.</strong></p>   <p>[player_tooltip player_id='1092174' first='Jemima' last='Griffin'] anchored Maple Mountain in the paint last season, leading the team in rebounds and blocks at 6'1" and giving them a true interior presence. Surrounding her is a strong returning cast—[player_tooltip player_id='825009' first='Leah' last='Bailey'], [player_tooltip player_id='796806' first='Ashlynn' last='Lainhart'], [player_tooltip player_id='796850' first='Shay' last='Brown'], [player_tooltip player_id='1092164' first='Anna' last='Ellsworth'], and Autumn Jones—each of whom made meaningful contributions across multiple stat categories. With that core intact, Maple Mountain is almost certain to take a step forward from last year.</p>   <p>They'll also get an infusion of new talent, with freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1278473' first='Saige' last='Hubbard'] already making her way onto the radar as a potential early contributor. With nearly every key piece returning and another year of chemistry under their belt, this group has all the makings of a sleeper team capable of surprising people throughout the season.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">SPANISH FORK</h2>   <p>Record: 5-21. <strong>7th in Region 7</strong>.</p>   <p>With the loss of their 6'4" anchor in the paint, Spanish Fork enters the season with significant ground to make up. They graduated seven seniors from a roster that already struggled to stay above .500, leaving major production gaps across the board. Alexis Branch returns as one of the few experienced players, but with another key contributor transferring to Cottonwood, the pressure on the remaining group only increases.</p>   <p>For Spanish to stay competitive, [player_tooltip player_id='1357983' first='Addison' last='Gwilliam'], the tall person left on the team, and [player_tooltip player_id='1357982' first='Aydree' last='Jacobson'] will have to step into major leadership roles immediately. Both will need to elevate their impact on both ends of the floor and help shape a new identity for a team in full rebuild mode.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color">NEW TO THE REGION:</h2>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">PAYSON</h2>   <p>Record: 20-3. <strong>1st in 4A Region 8.</strong></p>   <p>The new teams entering the region create an interesting dynamic, especially with Payson arriving as the previous region champion—now stepping up an entire classification. While the challenge is tougher, Payson still returns a solid core from last year's title run in [player_tooltip player_id='879702' first='Emmy' last='Hales'], [player_tooltip player_id='1304401' first='Halle' last='Andersen'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1349835' first='Abby' last='Rowley']. Emmy, standing at 6'1", was a major force in the paint and will again anchor their interior presence.</p>   <p>Behind that trio is a deep pool of players eager for their opportunity to earn varsity minutes. With so many open roles and heightened competition, Payson's success will hinge on which emerging talents rise to the occasion and help the Lions stay competitive at this new level.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">PLEASANT GROVE - 5 Players Over 6'0"</h2>   <p>Record: 9-16. <strong>5th in 6A Region 3.</strong></p>   <p>The easiest—and hardest—team to evaluate in this region is Pleasant Grove. Their outlook depends almost entirely on how many of their transfer players are cleared for the start of the season. As a result, their preseason lineup and their postseason lineup could look like two completely different teams.</p>   <p>To open the year, PG will lean on upperclassmen who have been waiting for their chance to shine alongside a future Division I talent. Seniors [player_tooltip player_id='879706' first='Cash' last='Connors'], [player_tooltip player_id='1258737' first='Mae'le' last='Tuiasoa'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1038257' first='Bella' last='Tukuafu'] will all play significant early-season roles as the roster takes shape. But once eligibility rulings settle, the postseason version of PG will likely take on a new identity. Players who can afford to sit out early in exchange for a full, stable senior year—most notably [player_tooltip player_id='796499' first='Janiece' last='Sikander'] and [player_tooltip player_id='832982' first='Reagan' last='Lambourne']—could shift PG from competitive to downright dangerous. [player_tooltip player_id='796796' first='Tabitha' last='Clark'] has been at PG since the beginning so she should be one of the players who lasts through both lineups.</p>   <p>Height will be a defining factor for this group. Pleasant Grove is stocked with players over the six-foot mark, headlined by [player_tooltip player_id='873276' first='Sutton' last='Villa'], the tallest player in the state at 6'6". Her presence is a major reason many of these transfers landed here. PG also brings in high-level guard talent with [player_tooltip player_id='873279' first='Siri' last='Burgess'] and [player_tooltip player_id='796473' first='Zuri' last='Nordstrom'], both coming over from Lone Peak and both capable of shifting the team's ceiling immediately.</p>   <p>And the future is just as intriguing. Younger players like [player_tooltip player_id='1246467' first='Ruby' last='Mosman'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1049025' first='Amaiya' last='Kennerley'] could eventually become the core of this program, while sibling additions—[player_tooltip player_id='898159' first='Indie' last='Nordstrom'] and [player_tooltip player_id='875195' first='Aaliyah' last='Sikander']—add even more depth and long-term potential.</p>   <p>Pleasant Grove may be the biggest puzzle in the region, but once the pieces lock into place, they could also become the team no one wants to face.</p>   <p></p>

Region 7 remains somewhat intact, but netted an extra team with the realignment. Here's what has changed: Cedar Valley bumped to 6A, Region 2, Pleasant Grove is coming in from 6A Region 6, and Payson is coming up from 4A Region 8. Almost all of the teams boast a lineup over 6' and that could be the deciding factor when it comes down to tournament time.