High school boys basketball: Class 4A team-by-team preseason capsules

David Larson

Pine View, Juan Diego and Sky View open the season as the boys basketball preseason favorites in their respective 4A regions

The 2019-2020 high school boys basketball season gets underway this week for teams in Class 6A, 5A and 4A. To prepare fans for the upcoming season, the Deseret News has put together capsules for every team in 4A. Every coach was invited to participate and submit information.

The region rankings are based on coaches preseason projections.

There are six new head basketball coaches in 4A this year: Mark Esplin (Cedar City), Kasey Winters (Crimson Cliffs), Tanoka Beard (Ben Lomond), Blake Pugmire (Cedar Valley), Reggie Shaw (Bear River) and Kyle Day (Ridgeline).

Here are the 4A teams and players to watch this upcoming season.

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Region 9

1. Pine View Panthers

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Ryan Eves (fourth year)

2018-2019 record: 14-9 (1st in Region 9 with a 10-2 record)

2019 postseason: Lost to Bonneville, 60-46, in the 4A quarterfinals

Returning starters: 5

Returning contributors:

· Ryan Hopper, PG, Sr. — 5.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 4.3 apg, 1.2 spg

· Michael Moore, G, Sr. — 10.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.8 spg

· Jared Sudweeks, G, Sr. — 11.5 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.5 spg

· Jared Koller, F, Sr. — 9.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.7 apg, 0.8 spg

· Taiven Shepherd, F, Sr. — 9.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.4 apg, 0.7 spg

Coach comment: “We are excited about this upcoming season. It is not very often you have five returning starters who have a lot of experience and love playing together. We know we will have a big target on our backs and are putting in the work to have continued success moving forward. Mix in a couple of our underclassmen and they have the potential to be very dangerous this year. We are very excited to get going.”

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2. Dixie Flyers

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Tyler Roberts (second year)

2018-2019 record: 18-6 (2nd in Region 9 with a 9-3 record)

2019 postseason: Lost to Sky View, 58-48, in the 4A quarterfinals

Returning starters: 3

Returning contributors:

· Noah Lemke, C, Sr. — 4.8 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.3 spg

· Jordan Mathews, G, Sr. — 9.3 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.4 spg

· Isaac Finlinson, G, Jr. — 8.3 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.4 spg

· Ethan Bennett, G, Jr. — 5.4 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.3 spg

Coach comment: “I am excited about this group of guys and the varsity experience they have. They have all worked really hard on their skill development this offseason. They love each other and I can’t wait to watch them play.”

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3. Cedar City Reds

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Mark Esplin (first year)

2018-2019 record: 6-16 (7th in Region 9 with a 2-10 record)

2019 postseason: Did not qualify

Additional information not provided

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4. Desert Hills Thunder

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Wade Turley (eighth year)

2018-2019 record: 10-12 (Tied for 5th in Region 9 with a 4-8 record)

2019 postseason: Did not qualify

Returning starters: 2

Returning contributors:

· Peyton Holmes, PG, Jr. — 4.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.6 apg, 0.6 spg

· Mason Chase, G, Sr. — 11.3 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.1 spg

· Reggie Newby, F, Jr. — 4.7 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 0.6 apg, 1.1 spg

· Keegan Munson, C, Jr. — 5.8 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 0.4 spg

· Justin Judkins, G, Jr.

Coach comment: “Several young players got varsity time last year. This experience should pay off if everyone buys into doing the little things well. Defensive stance and consistent box outs to name a few.”

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5. Hurricane Tigers

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Todd Langston (seventh year)

2018-2019 record: 11-11 (3rd in Region 9 with a 7-5 record)

2019 postseason: Lost to Payson, 70-53, in the 4A first round

Additional information not provided

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6. Snow Canyon Warriors

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Doug Meacham (second year)

2018-2019 record: 8-14 (Tied for 5th in Region 9 with a 4-8 record)

2019 postseason: Did not qualify

Returning starters: 2

Returning contributors:

· Cole Warner, G, Sr. — 12.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.1 spg

· McKay Meacham, G, Sr. — 6.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 0.9 spg

· Boom Dalton, F, Sr. — 1.8 ppg, 0.6 rpg, 0.2 apg

· Lincoln Polatis, G, Jr.

Coach comment: “We are excited to see how this group will gel as a team. We will be adding some multi-sport football players which will hopefully add some needed toughness on the defensive side. We will be able to surround the 3-point line with shooters this year which will hopefully open up the floor for getting some easier 2’s at the basket. We’ve had some underclassmen put in a lot of time in offseason and it should be fun to see which of them steps up when given their opportunities.”

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7. Crimson Cliffs Mustangs

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Kasey Winters (first year)

2018-2019 record: New school

Returning contributors:

· Danny Wade, Jr.

· Trei Rockhill, Jr.

· Cole Sampson, Jr.

· Ryan Roundy, Sr.

· Jaxson Schneider, Sr.

Coach comment: “This is the inaugural season for the Crimson Cliffs Mustangs. There is a lot of excitement and energy surrounding the beginning of the season. We have a great group of kids who have embraced the challenge of starting a brand-new program. We had a lot of growth and improvement throughout the spring and summer. We expect to be highly competitive this season and set a solid foundation for the program moving forward in the future”

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8. Canyon View Falcons

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Rob Potter (ninth year)

2018-2019 record: 10-13 (4th in Region 9 with a 6-6 record)

2019 postseason: Lost to Orem, 74-56, in the 4A first round

Returning starters: 2

Returning contributors:

· Trevor Farrow, G, Sr. — 12.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.6 spg

· Cody Spencer, G, Sr. — 2.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 0.7 apg, 0.7 spg

· Jaxon Jorgenson, G, Sr. — 1.7 ppg, 1.1 rpg, 0.6 apg, 0.3 spg

Coach comment: “Always exciting to start a new season, maybe more this year after a realigned 4A and a new school in Region 9. And a new rankings system. We look forward to competing and building on the culture and success we have built here at Canyon View.”

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Region 10

1. Juan Diego Soaring Eagles

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Drew Trost (7th year)

2018-2019 record: 22-2 (1st in Region 11 with a 12-0 record)

2019 postseason: Lost to Sky View, 50-41, in the 4A first round

Returning starters: 2

Returning contributors:

· Talon Valdes, PG, Jr. — 12.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1.9 spg

· Kemari Bailey, F, Sr. — 7.0 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.8 spg

· Gabe Soto, G, Sr. — 3.1 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1.5 spg

· Matt Rohden, F, Jr. — 3.5 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.3 spg

Coach comment: “We return some good pieces with Valdes, Bailey, Soto, and Rohden. However, we will lean heavily on several players who did not play much varsity last year. We have had one of the best defenses in the state the past two years and that needs to be our rock once again. It will take some hard work and time to get everyone on the same page, but I am optimistic that we will hit our stride by the end of the year and be ready to do some damage.”

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2. Stansbury Stallions

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Joseph White (fourth year)

2018-2019 record: 9-14 (4th in Region 11 with a 6-6 record)

2019 postseason: Lost to Green Canyon, 69-66, in the 4A first round

Returning starters: 3

Returning contributors:

· Payton Thevenot, G, Sr. — 16.5 ppg

· Jaden Jenkins, G, Sr. — 9.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.3 spg

· Payton Gaillard, F, Sr. — 2.6 ppg

· Pae Tia, F, Jr. — 6.0 ppg, 1.5 rpg

· Kru Huxford, G, Jr.

Coach comment: “There is a lot of excitement surrounding Stansbury boys basketball this year. We have consistently been a top 10 defensive team in 4A and to add to that we have our top scorers returning from last year.”

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3. Tooele Buffaloes

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Jed Thomas (second year)

2018-2019 record: 14-11 (3rd in Region 11 with an 8-4 record)

2019 postseason: Lost to Bear River, 68-55, in the 4A first round

Returning starters: 3

Returning contributors:

· Justin Rogers, F, Jr. — 14.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.5 spg

· Canyon Christensen, G, Sr. — 7.8 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.5 apg, 1.7 spg

Coach comment: “I am very excited for this year’s team. We have a long ways to go, but we are putting in the work to get there!”

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4. Cedar Valley Aviators

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Blake Pugmire (first year)

2018-2019 record: New School

Coach comment: “Excited to start a new program here at Cedar Valley. Our kids are hungry to work hard and build something great that the community can be proud of.”

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5. Ben Lomond Scots

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Tanoka Beard (first year)

2018-2019 record: 6-15 (Tied for 6th in Region 11 with a 1-11 record)

2019 postseason: Did not qualify

Additional information not provided

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6. Ogden Tigers

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Brock Randall (second year)

2018-2019 record: 4-17 (Tied for 6th in Region 11 with a 1-11 record)

2019 postseason: Did not qualify

Additional information not provided

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7. Uintah Utes

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Brandon Johnson (third year)

2018-2019 record: 3-19 (7th in Region 10 with a 0-12 record)

2019 postseason: Did not qualify

Returning starters: 3

Returning contributors:

· Josh Spears, SG, Soph. — 5.8 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 0.4 apg, 0.2 spg

· Kamon Anderson, SG, Jr. — 6.1 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.2 spg

· Daniel Wright, PG, Jr. — 6.1 ppg, 0.8 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.2 spg

· Morgan Mansfield, F, Jr. — 3.0 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 0.2 spg

Coach comment: “We are young but looking to improve from last year.”

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Region 11

1. Sky View Bobcats

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Kirk Hillyard (ninth year)

2018-2019 record: 16-9 (Tied for 3rd in Region 12 with a 6-4 record)

2019 postseason: Beat Bear River, 64-59, in the 4A championship

Additional information not provided

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2. Green Canyon Wolves

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Dan McClure (third year)

2018-2019 record: 18-6 (1st in Region 12 with an 8-2 record)

2019 postseason: Lost to Payson, 76-74, in the 4A quarterfinals

Returning starters: 2

Returning contributors:

· McKay Yorgason, G, Sr. — 10.4 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.8 spg

· Carter Maughan, G, Sr. — 2.8 ppg

· Jake Lundin, G, Jr. — 1.5 ppg

Coach comment: “We are really excited to get the season going. Much of the identity of Green Canyon basketball has graduated. The class that opened the school two years ago and led us to the region title last year is gone. But, we have a solid core group of guys who are excited to continue the tradition that has been started here. We will be a fun team to watch. We want to get out and create tempo offensively and really cause pressure defensively. We’re hoping our athleticism will cause teams some problems. We hope to be highly competitive in a really tough region.”

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3. Bear River Bears

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Reggie Shaw (first year)

2018-2019 record: 21-7 (2nd in Region 12 with a 7-3 record)

2019 postseason: Lost to Sky View, 64-59, in the 4A championship

Returning starters: 2

Returning contributors:

· Mark Huber, G, Sr. — 20.0 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.3 spg

· Ren Fonnesbeck, G, Sr. — 14.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.8 apg, 1.1 spg

· Logan Litchford, F, Sr. — 1.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.7 apg, 0.4 spg

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4. Ridgeline Riverhawks

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Kyle Day (first year)

2018-2019 record: 7-14 (5th in Region 12 with a 2-8 record)

2019 postseason: Did not qualify

Returning starters: 2

Returning contributors:

· Jackson Baker, G/F, Sr. — 4.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.4 apg, 0.3 spg

· Jacob Salvesen, F, Sr. — 6.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 0.8 apg, 0.5 spg

Coach comment: “We are really excited for the upcoming season. We have a bunch of guys that are willing to buy in to what they are being asked to do. We are definitely light on the experience front, but we have guys that will compete every day. Our league always is a challenge, but we look forward to seeing what we can do.”

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5. Logan Grizzlies

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Logan Brown (ninth year)

2018-2019 record: 10-13 (Tied for 3rd in Region 12 with a 6-4 record)

2019 postseason: Lost to Bonneville, 45-44, in the 4A first round

Returning starters: 1

Returning contributors:

· Jadin Penigar, G, Jr. — 6.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.5 spg

· Isaac Larsen, G, Jr. — 2.4 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.7 spg

Coach comment: “We are a young team, but we have really put in the time to get better in the offseason. We are going to have to value every game in the preseason to help prepare us for our region.”

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6. Mountain Crest Mustangs

2019-2020 schedule

Head coach: Kevin Andersen (second year)

2018-2019 record: 5-16 (6th in Region 12 with a 1-9 record)

2019 postseason: Did not qualify

Additional information not provided

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