After a multiweek delay because of COVID-19, the 2020-2021 high school boys basketball season gets underway this week for teams teams in 6A through 1A. To prepare fans for the upcoming season, the Deseret News has put together capsules for every team in 1A. Every coach was invited to participate and submit information.
The region rankings are based on coaches preseason projections.
There are eight new head basketball coaches in 1A this year: Ray Jones (Pinnacle), Sebastian Garcia (Diamond Ranch), Jason Jackson (Wayne), Milford Tiafal (Dugway), Brady Mower (Tintic), Riley Mulitalo (West Ridge), Bruce Powell (Telos) and Lex Cornia (Rich).
The school board for Monument Valley and Whitehorse will meet on Dec. 9 to determine if those two schools will be participating this year.
Here are the 1A teams and players to watch this upcoming season.
Region 19
1. Green River Pirates
Head coach: Tim Hughes (10th year).
2019-2020 record: 16-9 (first in Region 19 with a 6-1 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Tabiona, 58-37, in the 1A second round.
Additional info not provided.
2. Whitehorse Raiders
Head coach: Evan Grant (seventh year).
2019-2020 record: 10-13 (second in Region 19 with a 3-3 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Piute, 55-35, in the 1A second round.
Additional info not provided.
3. Monument Valley Cougars
Head coach: Merrill Smith
2019-2020 record: 6-10 (tied for third in Region 19 with a 2-4 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Wendover, 76-57, in the 1A second round.
Additional info not provided.
4. Pinnacle Panthers
Head coach: Ray Jones (first year).
2019-2020 record: 9-15 (tied for third in Region 19 with a 2-4 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Wayne, 70-56, in the 1A first round.
Additional info not provided.
Region 20
1. Panguitch Bobcats
Head coach: Clint Barney (19th year).
2019-2020 record: 17-9 (fouth in Region 20 with a 7-5 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Bryce Valley, 36-34, in the 1A championship.
Returning starters: 4
Returning contributors:
- Ryker Hatch, Sr., F
- Kyler Bennett, Jr., C
- Paxton Wolfley, Jr., G
- Klyn Fullmer, So., G
Coach comment: “We are excited for the upcoming season. We have a great group of boys coming back from last year’s second-place finish at state. The boys are excited to compete, and hope that we can get through the season with minimal interruptions.”
2. Bryce Valley Mustangs
Head coach: Gary Syrett (eighth year).
2019-2020 record: 19-7 (second in Region 20 with an 11-2 record).
2020 postseason: Beat Panguitch, 36-34, in the 1A championship.
Returning starters: 5
Returning contributors:
- Treyson Roberts, Sr., 15.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.5 apg
- Sergio Vasquez, Sr., 13.4 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 0.3 apg, 0.3 spg
- Quayden Tebbs, Sr., 12.7 ppg, 0.3 rpg, 0.2 apg, 0.2 spg
Coach comment: “We are excited for the upcoming season. We return all five starters and many other excellent players, and hope that we are able to compete this year in these unusual times.”
3. Piute Thunderbirds
Head coach: Eric Jessen (fourth year).
2019-2020 record: 14-10 (third in Region 20 with an 8-4 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Valley, 44-17, in the 1A quarterfinals.
Returning starters: 2
Returning contributors:
- Kelby Jessen, Sr., C, 17.8 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.2 apg, 0.2 spg
- Jaden Westwood, Jr., SF, 4.6 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 0.3 apg, 0.4 spg
Coach comment: “We are excited with a group of young kids. The expectations are high and excited to get going. We hope that we can have our season.”
4. Valley Buffaloes
Head coach: Owen Hoyt (sixth year).
2019-2020 record: 20-5 (first in Region 20 with a 13-1 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Panguitch, 34-33, in the 1A semifinals.
Additional info not provided.
5. Water Canyon Wildcats
Head coach: Brad Garrett (sixth year).
2019-2020 record: 9-11 (fifth in Region 20 with a 6-6 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Panguitch, 67-42, in the 1A second round.
Additional info not provided.
6. Milford Tigers
Head coach: Lynn Dalton (third year).
2019-2020 record: 10-17 (sixth in Region 20 with a 3-10 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Valley, 60-52, in the 1A second round.
Returning starters: 3
Returning contributors:
- Trey Rose, Soph., G, 2.0 ppg, 0.4 rpg, 0.4 apg, 0.2 spg
- Heston Sulivan, Sr., G, 5.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.9 spg
- Brett Beebe, Sr., F, 3.9 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.4 apg, 0.9 spg
- Kyden Peters, Sr., G/F, 9.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.0 spg
- Corybn Dalton, Jr., G, 2.4 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.4 apg, 0.3 spg
Coach comment: “We are excited for the upcoming season. Region 20 looks to be as competitive as ever.”
7. Wayne Badgers
Head coach: Jason Jackson (first year).
2019-2020 record: 6-18 (seventh in Region 20 with a 2-10 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Manila, 55-40, in the 1A second round.
Returning starters: 0
Returning contributors:
- Ethan Morrill, 1.6 ppg, 0.2 rpg
- Jesse Webb, 4.3 ppg, 0.4 rpg
8. Diamond Ranch Diamondbacks
Head coach: Sebastian Garcia (first year).
2019-2020 record: 3-21 (eighth in Region 20 with a 0-12 record).
2020 postseason: Did not qualify.
Returning starters: 2
Returning contributors:
- Matthew A., Sr., F
- Matthew C., So., G
Coach comment: “This year we have a luxury that we haven’t had in a couple of seasons. We have two players that are returning who can be a big contribution with leadership along with teaching the other players the system. It will be a season of uncertainty for sure with COVID-19 going on and being able to build team chemistry in order to compete in a tough region.”
9. Escalante Moquis
Head coach: Brent Cottom (seventh year).
2019-2020 record: Did not participate.
Additional info not provided.
Region 21
1. Wendover Wildcats
Head coach: Kyle Murphy (seventh year).
2019-2020 record: 20-5 (first in Region 21 with an 8-0 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Bryce Valley, 67-58, in the 1A quarterfinals.
Returning starters: 2
Returning contributors:
- Jaime Montalvo, Sr., G/SF, 21.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.7 apg, 2.8 spg
- Peter Alvarez, Sr., G, 18.5 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.6 apg, 3.1 spg
- Jostyn Gomez, Sr., F/C, 7.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.4 spg
Coach comment: “Just like every year it is exciting, we are senior-heavy and are very hungry. We didn’t finish where we wanted to last year, but we know what we need to work on.”
2. Tintic Miners
Head coach: Brady Mower (first year).
2019-2020 record: 5-16 (second in Region 21 with a 3-3 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Milford, 54-41, in the 1A first round.
Returning starters: 5
Returning contributors:
- Cooper Snell, Jr., PG, 11.3 ppg, 0.3 rpg
- Hayden Brunson, Jr., PG/SG, 9.2 ppg, 0.2 rpg
- Braydn Carter, Sr., PF/C, 8.9 ppg, 0.2 rpg
- Holden Petersen, Jr., SF/PF, 8.5 ppg, 0.2 rpg
Coach comment: “First and foremost we’re really grateful that we get the opportunity to suit up and play considering the challenges this pandemic has brought. In terms of the team, we’re young, but we’re battle tested as most of our team is returning. We have a good group that has played together for years and they understand the game of basketball. They love to be in the gym working on their game. If we can get them to buy into what we want to do on the offensive and defensive side of the ball I believe the future is bright for this program. Sky’s the limit to what we can accomplish.”
3. Dugway Mustangs
Head coach: Milford Tiafal (first year).
2019-2020 record: 6-18 (fourth in Region 21 with a 3-5 record).
2020 postseason: Did not qualify.
Returning starters: 3
Returning contributors:
- Tyi Bear, Sr., F/C, 11.4 ppg
- Ethan Tolentino, Sr., G/F, 2.3 ppg
- Weston Mavity, Jr., G/F, 2.9 ppg
- Kota Bear, Soph., F/C, 7.9 ppg
4. Telos Titans
Head coach: Bruce Powell (first year).
2019-2020 record: 5-14 (third in Region 21 with a 3-4 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Rich, 70-43, in the 1A first round.
Additional info not provided.
5. West Ridge Academy Eagles
Head coach: Riley Mulitalo (first year).
2019-2020 record: 1-17 (fifth in Region 21 with a 0-5 record).
2020 postseason: Did not qualify.
Additional info not provided.
Region 22
1. Tabiona Tigers
Head coach: Lee Gines (39th year).
2019-2020 record: 13-11 (third in Region 22 with a 3-1 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Manila, 37-34, in the 1A quarterfinals.
Additional info not provided.
2. Rich Rebels
Head coach: Lex Cornia (first year).
2019-2020 record: 6-19 (fourth in Region 22 with a 3-5 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Intermountain Christian, 71-54, in the 1A second round.
Returning starters: 0
Returning contributors:
- Konnor Greer, Sr., G, 8.3 ppg, 0.2 rpg, 0.3 spg
- John Scott, Sr., G, 9.3 ppg, 0.2 rpg, 0.2 apg, 0.2 spg
- Riley Taylor, Sr., F, 7.8 ppg, 0.4 rpg
- Logan Muirbrook, Sr., C, 7.2 ppg, 0.5 rpg
- Truman Huefner, Sr., F, 2.9 ppg
Coach comment: “This year has made all of us, players and coaches alike, appreciate being in a gym with a group of young people more. The things we used to believe were important; wins, losses, records, tournament results feel secondary to just being out there playing the game. I’ve never been more excited for an upcoming season.”
3. Intermountain Christian Lions
Head coach: Tim Drisdom (fourth year).
2019-2020 record: 20-6 (tied for first in Region 22 with a 5-1 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Panguitch, 58-53, in the 1A quarterfinals.
Additional info not provided.
4. Manila Mustangs
Head coach: Michael Hughes (fifth year).
2019-2020 record: 17-7 (tied for first in Region 22 with a 5-1 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Bryce Valley, 52-49, in the 1A semifinals.
Returning starters: 1
Returning contributors:
- Dalton Taylor, Sr., G
- Cody Muir, Sr., C
Coach comment: “Manila will be young and roughly inexperienced. Growth and development through the season will be key for our team.”
5. Mount Vernon Patriots
Head coach: Mike Lambson (14th year).
2019-2020 record: 11-11 (fifth in Region 22 with a 0-8 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Bryce Valley, 62-32, in the 1A second round.
Returning starters: 3
Returning contributors:
- Orlando Martinez, Sr., G, 17.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.3 apg, 5.5 spg
- Ketu Achebo, Jr., C, 7.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 0.4 apg, 1.7 spg
- Jackson Guidash, Soph., F, 4.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 0.3 apg, 0.6 spg
Coach comment: “We have steadily improved the past three years. We competed well in region play but did not win. This year, I feel we will win some region games and make some noise at the state tournament.”