The 2017-2018 high school basketball season got underway last week before Thanksgiving, but really ramps up this week with a full slate of games across the state. To prepare fans for the upcoming season, the Deseret News has put together capsules for every team in 5A. Every coach was invited to participate and submit information.
The region rankings are based on coaches preseason projections.
There are two new head basketball coaches in 5A this year: Tallon Robertson (Jordan) and Amanda Barker (Provo).
Here are the 5A teams and players to watch this upcoming season.
Region 5 Capsules
1. Viewmont High School
Head Coach: Clint Straatman (8th year)
2016-2017 Record: 21-4 (Tied for 1st in Region 2 with a 10-2 record)
2017 Postseason: Lost to American Fork, 50-46, in the 5A championship
Returning Starters: 2
Returning Contributors:
Mercedes Staples, Guard, Sr. — 17.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 4.2 apg, 2.3 spg
Melissa Sorenson, Center, Sr. — 4.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.7 apg, 0.7 spg
Madie Toole, Guard, Sr. — 1.3 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 0.7 apg, 0.8 spg
Coach Comment: “New 5A classification changes will make things interesting. A ton of good teams that have the potential of winning it all. Lots of good players across the state! I can’t wait to see how our young girls fill roles and mature.”
2. Roy High School
Head Coach: Carolyn Dehoff
2016-2017 Record: 10-12 (Tied for 4th in Region 1 with a 5-7 record)
2017 Postseason: Lost to Northridge, 53-52, In the Region 1 play-in game
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Contributors:
Josei Williams, Center, Sr. — 16.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.6 spg
Brittney Hatch, Forward, Sr. — 6.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.4spg
McKayla Jones, Forward, Sr. — 1.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 0.4 apg, 0.2 spg
Coach Comment: “We return nine seniors this year. Six played a substantial amount of minutes last season. We are looking to make a run at the region title as well as a berth in the state tournament.”
3. Box Elder High School
Head Coach: Aaron Dooley (4th year)
2016-2017 Record: 21-3 (Tied for 1st in Region 5 with a 10-2 record)
2017 Postseason: Lost to Judge Memorial, 45-34, in the 4A semifinals
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Contributors:
Emily Isaacson, Guard, Jr. — 14.2 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.5 spg
Andreanna McKee, Center, Sr. — 4.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 0.3 apg, 0.3 spg
Kambri Curtis, Guard, Sr. — 5.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.6 spg
Morgan Reeder, Guard, Jr. — 4.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.7 apg, 1.0 spg
Jaiden Davis, Forward, Sr. — 0.6 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 0.1 spg
Coach Comment: “We are excited for the start of a new season! Box Elder returns six girls with Varsity experience. The new Region 5 has some familiar faces, but offers the opportunity to play some new ones as well. Each night will be a big challenge as every team will have different skills set that will be tough to prepare for. We look forward to getting started.
4. Bountiful High School
Head Coach: Joel Burton (9th year)
2016-2017 Record: 13-9 (3rd in Region 5 with an 8-4 record)
2017 Postseason: Lost to Alta, 85-4252 in the 4A first round
Returning Starters: 1
Returning Contributors:
Jaimee Stahle, Guard, Sr. — 16.4 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.9 spg
Tashena Ashby, Guard, Jr. — 1.2 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.3 apg, 0.2 spg
Hailey Hansen, Forward, Sr. — 0.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 0.1 apg, 0.2 spg
Coach Comment: “We are young and inexperienced. We should be competitive but how competitive depends on how willing we are to work and how well we play together.”
5. Woods Cross High School
Head Coach: David Simon (3rd year)
2016-2017 Record: 11-10 (5th in Region 5 with a 5-7 record)
2017 Postseason: Did not qualify
Returning Starters: 2
Returning Contributors:
Olivia Barton, Guard, Sr. — 4.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.8 spg
Paige McKenna, Guard, Sr. — 6.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.3 apg, 0.8 spg
Rachel Noel, Forward, Sr. — 10.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.4 spg
Sara Noel, Forward, Sr. — 10.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.4 spg
Coach Comment: “I am excited about this team and what their potential is. It is a great group of girls that work really hard and try to get better each day.”
Region 6 Capsules
1. Skyline High School
Head Coach: Lynette Schroeder (6th year)
2016-2017 Record: 23-4 (1st in Region 6 with an 11-1 record)
2017 Postseason: Beat Judge Memorial, 60-57, in the 4A championship
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Contributors:
Madison Grange, Guard, Sr. — 16.4 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.4 apg, 2.5 spg
Barrett Jessop, Guard, Sr. — 7.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.3 spg
Cameron Mooney, Center, Sr. — 10.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 0.7 apg, 1.7 spg
Kiana Eskelson, Forward, Jr. — 5.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.9 spg
Coach Comment: “I am excited for this team, as it comprises experienced players with young talent. Through discipline and teamwork we hope to be able to contend with the top teams in the state.”
2. East High School
Head Coach: Olosaa Solovi (2nd year)
2016-2017 Record: 15-10 (4th in Region 5 with a 7-5 record)
2017 Postseason: Lost to Judge Memorial, 45-43, in the 4A quarterfinals
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Contributors:
Liana Kaitu’u, Forward, Sr. — 14.5 ppg
Lani Taliuli, Forward, Sr. — 11.3 ppg
Margarita Satini, Guard, Jr. — 8.1 ppg
Coach Comment: “Going into my second year as HC of this team we learned a lot about our team and hope we can build on some of the success we had at the end of the last year. I have a group that is willing to work hard each day and we expect to compete in every game.”
3. West High School
Head Coach: Ronnie Stubbs
2016-2017 Record: 11-11 (Tied for 1st in Region 2 with a 10-2 record)
2017 Postseason: Lost to Lone Peak, 57-48, in the 5A first round
Additional information not provided
4. Highland High School
Head Coach: Kurt Schneider (3rd year)
2016-2017 Record: 15-6 (Tied for 1st in Region 5 with a 10-2 record)
2017 Postseason: Lost to Timpview, 46-39, in the 4A first round
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Contributors:
Kaija Glasker, Forward, So. — 6.2 ppg
Lana Olevao, Center, Sr. — 6.1 ppg
Olivia Beckstead, Guard, Jr. — 3.6 ppg
Coach Comment: “The Lady Rams should be very competitive this year. We have three returning starters and two girls who saw significant time last year. We also have a group of juniors who have been in the program now for three years who should add depth. We should continue being good defensively and we are hoping we can open it up offensively this year.”
5. Murray High School
Head Coach: Holly Gillette (4th year)
2016-2017 Record: 5-15 (5th in Region 6 with a 4-8 record)
2017 Postseason: Did not qualify
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Contributors:
Isis Beh, Center, Jr. — 11.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.9 spg
Haylie Jensen, Guard, Jr. — 4.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.6 spg
Sarah Dudley, Forwad, Jr. — 5.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.6 spg
Coach Comment: “We were really young last year so we have a solid core of returning players who have varsity experience. We are hoping to take advantage of our height and length on both ends of the floor. With some solid senior leadership and a tough post presence we are looking to compete every night in Region 6.”
6. Olympus High School
Head Coach: Whitney Jenkins (3rd year)
2016-2017 Record: 6-16 (6th in Region 6 with a 2-10 record)
2017 Postseason: Did not qualify
Returning Starters: 2
Returning Contributors:
Kayli O’Brien, Guard, Jr. — 3.6 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 0.7 apg, 0.7 spg
Taygin DeHart, Guard, Jr. — 4.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.7 spg
Coach Comment: “We have a young team (one senior) that is eager and ready to learn and develop. This is a group that will be fun to keep tabs on throughout the season and see how they improve after each game. Really a solid group that is ready to work. Excited to see how they progress this year.”
Region 7 Capsules
1. Timpview High School
Head Coach: Aimee Dorias (3rd year)
2016-2017 Record: 17-6 (3rd in Region 7 with a 10-4 record)
2017 Postseason: Lost to Skyline, 52-45, in the 4A semifinals
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Contributors:
Ella Pope, Guard, Jr. — 12.9 ppg
Shalyn Fano, Forward, Jr. — 2.0 ppg
Jasmine Espinoza, Guard, Jr. — 8.0 ppg
Hannah Glazier, Forward, Sr. — 1.7 ppg
Coach Comment: “Gone is the youth and inexperience, but what remains is a focus and drive that has been sharpened over time as these girls keep coming back year after year. The individual skill of our returning varsity players has greatly increased over the offseason, and we hope that translates to a hard, fast, and frenetic style of play. We have scorers in bunches this season, but the majority of our success will be dictated by the defensive pressure our length and speed will hopefully create.”
2. Corner Canyon High School
Head Coach: Jeramy Acker (3rd year)
2016-2017 Record: 13-10 (4th in Region 7 with an 8-6 record)
2017 Postseason: Lost to Box Elder, 69-62, in the 4A first round
Returning Starters: 4
Returning Contributors:
Jaedan Vaifanua, Forward, Jr. — 15.7 ppg
Annie Bowen, Guard, Sr. — 7.8 ppg
Hannah Sanderson, Center, Sr. — 6.0 ppg
Nicole Critchfield, Forward, Sr. — 4.5 ppg
Coach Comment: “As a team we have been fully invested in achieving our goals on a daily basis and we’re extremely excited to get the basketball season underway. We are returning a lot of passionate Senior players with years of varsity experience combined with some of the most talented Juniors in program history, which will provide us with the best leadership on and off the court we have had at Corner Canyon High School.”
3. Alta High School
Head Coach: Lizzy Gustafson (3rd year)
2016-2017 Record: 21-2 (Tied for 1st in Region 7 with a 13-1 record)
2017 Postseason: Lost to Skyline, 81-66, in the 4A quarterfinals
Returning Starters: 1
Returning Contributors:
Eden Broederlow, Forward, Jr. — 0.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 0.2 spg
Sydney Williams, Forward, Jr. — 0.6 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 0.1 spg
Kamry Pan, Guard, So. — 1.6 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.5 spg
4. Jordan High School
Head Coach: Tallon Robertson (1st year)
2016-2017 Record: 6-14 (5th in Region 3 with a 3-9 record)
2017 Postseason: Did not qualify
Returning Starters: 2
Returning Contributors:
Peyton Naylor, Forward, Sr. — 11.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 1.2 apg, 2.0 spg
Diera Walton, Guard, Jr. — 6.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.3 apg, 1.6 spg
Coach Comment: “With a new coach comes a new environment and expectations. I believe that the girls have responded well so far and have brought a new level of excitement. I am eager to see what we can do this season.”
5. Brighton High School
Head Coach: Jim Gresh (19th year)
2016-2017 Record: 6-15 (4th in Region 3 with a 6-6 record)
2017 Postseason: Lost to Sky View, 55-30, in the 5A first round
Returning Starters: 3
Returning Contributors:
Sidney Kaufmann, Forward, Sr. — 9.1 ppg
Emily Moss, Guard, So. — 3.5 ppg
Allie Vyfinkel, Guard, Sr. 3.3 ppg
Naomi Kehl, Forward, So. — 0.8 ppg
Macy Raddon, Center, Sr. — 0.4 ppg
Coach Comment: “We are in a very difficult competitive region. We do have some experience coming back. We hope to be very competitive in this region.”
6. Cottonwood High School
Head Coach: Janae Hirschi
2016-2017 Record: 4-16 (Tied for 6th in Region 3 with a 2-10 record)
2017 Postseason: Did not qualify
Additional information not provided
Region 8 Capsules
1. Springville High School
Head Coach: Camie Oakey (5th year)
2016-2017 Record: 16-9 (1st in Region 8 with a 9-3 record)
2017 Postseason: Lost to Timpview, 55-54, in the 4A quarterfinals
Returning Starters: 0
Returning Contributors:
Sierra Davis, Forward, Jr. — 1.8 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.1 apg, 0.4 spg
Brooke Lynn Galbraith, Guard, Jr. — 3.0 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 0.4 apg, 0.5 spg
Breanna Eves, Guard, So. — 1.3 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 0.4 apg
Coach Comment: “We are excited about the youth we have on this year's team. We are young but we are talented and athletic, and the girls are working hard together. We have a tough preseason schedule and have high hopes of using those games to prepare for a run at a Region title and postseason berth.”
2. Maple Mountain High School
Head Coach: Cory Green (9th year)
2016-2017 Record: 14-8 (Tied for 2nd in Region 8 with an 8-4 record)
2017 Postseason: Lost to Box Elder, 49-46, in the 4A quarterfinals
Returning Starters: 2
Returning Contributors:
Courtney Andersen, Guard, Sr. — 5.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.6 spg
Maddy Eaton, Guard, Jr. — 12.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.7 spg
Maddi Jensen, Forward, Jr. — 0.3 ppg, 0.1 rpg, apg, spg
Mackenzi Jensen, Forward, Jr. — 0.3 ppg, 0.1 spg
Coach Comment: “Our team will be very young, returning only two starters from last season, and having only three seniors social. That being said, we have quite a few competitive younger players to go along with our three seniors, so I think we will have a solid season. I would anticipate some growing pains early, however, as we adjust to our youth and incoming varsity players. Our goal will be to have things in order by the time region play rolls around, as our region and the 5A classification as a whole will be very challenging this year.”
3. Provo High School
Head Coach: Amanda Barker (1st year)
2016-2017 Record: 7-16 (6th in Region 7 with a 4-10 record)
2017 Postseason: Did not qualify
Additional information not provided
4. Timpanogos High School
Head Coach: Haley Steed (2nd year)
2016-2017 Record: 8-12 (5th in Region 7 with a 5-9 record)
2017 Postseason: Did not qualify
Returning Starters: 2
Returning Contributors:
Maclyn Mace, Guard, Jr. — 7.0 ppg
Anna Christensen, Forward, Sr. — 1.4ppg
Coach Comment: “We are gonna be young this year. We don’t have a ton of experience but I like my group and we’ll be gritty and competitive.”
5. Skyridge High School
Head Coach: Khalil Sikander (2nd year)
2016-2017 Record: 5-16 (7th in Region 7 with a 3-11 record)
2017 Postseason: Did not qualify
Returning Starters: 2
Returning Contributors:
Marisa Bowman, Guard, Jr. — 14.6 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 0.3 apg, 0.5 spg
Skylee Gray, Guard, Jr. — 7.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.6 apg, 1.1 spg
Brooklyn Lundell, Guard, Jr. — 2.8 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 0.1 apg, 0.1 spg
Kylee Holland, Guard, So. — 5.0 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 0.6 spg
Coach Comment: “We are excited to get year two under way. We have the core of our team coming back. Though still young, our girls have really taken strides in becoming better individually and as a team. We have a team that is selfless and have set a standard to be our best each day. With this attitude we expect nothing but good things to occur.”
6. Wasatch High School
Head Coach: Norm Hayter
2016-2017 Record: 17-6 (Tied for 2nd in Region 8 with a 8-4 record)
2017 Postseason: Lost to Judge Memorial, 35-32, in the 4A first round
Additional information not provided