High school girls basketball: 4A state tournament quarterfinals capsules (+ predictions)

File: Cedar and Ridgeline compete in the 4A girls basketball state championship at Southern Utah University on Saturday, March 2, 2019. | David Larson

Say what you will about the RPI, but it did its job when it comes to this year’s 4A girls basketball state tournament. All eight of the top seeds advanced to the quarterfinals, most with convincing wins over their second-round opponents.

As such, when action moves to Weber State University’s Dee Events Center, beginning on Thursday, Feb. 27, you can expect some competitive basketball.

Leading the way are defending state champion Cedar City Reds — the prohibitive favorite — while other title contenders include the Ridgeline RiverHawks, Desert Hills Thunder and Juan Diego Soaring Eagle.

Here is a look at each of the remaining teams, ordered by seed.

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No. 1 Cedar City Reds (21-2)

2019-2020 Schedule

Head coach: Corry Nielsen (third year)

Region: Finished 1st in Region 9 with a 14-0 record

Quarterfinals: vs. Logan, 5:50 p.m. (At Weber State)

How advanced to quarterfinals:

• First round: Bye
• Second round: Defeated Mountain Crest 56-28

Best victory: Defeated Copper Hills 65-51 on Dec. 14

Top contributors:

• #23 Mayci Torgerson, Sr., Guard. (16.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 1.7 apg, 2.4 spg)
• #20 Japriz Weaver, Sr., Guard. (14.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.5 apg, 2.0 spg)
• #4 Logann Laws, Jr., Guard. (8.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 4.4 apg, 2.3 spg)
• #33 Samantha Johnston, Jr., Guard. (8.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.0 spg)
• #42 Denim Henkel, Sr., Forward. (5.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.8 spg)

Scoring offense: 65.9 ppg (1st in 4A)

Scoring defense: 37.5 ppg (1st in 4A)

Last state championship: 2019 (4A)

2019 postseason: Defeated Ridgeline 53-40 to win 4A state championship

Deseret News staff writer Trent Wood’s bracket: Win over Ridgeline in championship

Wood’s workup:: How do you pick against the Reds? Not only are they the defending state champs, and most of the main contributors of that team are back, but they boast the top scoring offense and defense in the classification. Cedar City’s only losses all year have come to Bingham, the defending 6A state champions, and Bishop Gorman, out of Las Vegas. If Cedar City does not repeat as champions, it will have been a major upset.

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No. 2 Ridgeline RiverHawks (18-5)

2019-2020 Schedule

Head coach: Ainsli Jenks (fourth year)

Region: Finished 1st in Region 11 with a 9-1 record

Quarterfinals: vs. Pine View, 7:30 p.m. (At Weber State)

How advanced to quarterfinals:

• First round: Bye
• Second round: Defeated Providence Hall 52-25

Best victory: Defeated Pine View 56-50 on Dec. 6

Top contributors:

• #53 Emma Anderson, Sr. (15.5 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.0 spg)
• #24 Haley Anderson, Jr. (12.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.5 spg)
• #13 Brayli Jenks, Sr. (10.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.9 spg)
• #4 Brinlie Crosbie, So. (5.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.5 spg)
• #21 Shelby Murphy, Sr. (3.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.7 spg)

Scoring offense: 51.4 ppg (6th in 4A)

Scoring defense: 42.9 ppg (7th in 4A)

Last state championship: N/A

2019 postseason: Lost to Cedar City 53-40 in the 4A state championship

Deseret News staff writer Trent Wood’s bracket: Loss to Cedar City in championship

Wood’s workup:: Ridgeline is battle-tested. That is the only way to put it. The RiverHawks went through a gauntlet in nonregion play and since settling into region have lost only one game. Ridgeline hasn’t blown out many opponents this year and statistically are good, but not great on both offense and defense. Still, with an experienced core the RiverHawks have proven capable of winning close games, which should bode well for their playoff chances.

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No. 3 Desert Hills Thunder (19-3)

2019-2020 Schedule

Head coach: Ron Denos

Region: Finished 2nd in Region 9 with a 11-3 record

Quarterfinals: vs. Snow Canyon, 9:10 p.m. (At Weber State)

How advanced to quarterfinals:

• First round: Bye
• Second round: Defeated Hurricane 54-38

Best victory: Defeated Salem Hills 52-46 on Dec. 7

Top contributors:

• #4 Kamryn Bliss, Sr., Forward. (15.6 ppg)
• #33 Sydney Peisley, Sr., Forward. (13.0 ppg)
• #5 Julia Jacobsen, So., Forward. (7.2 ppg)
• #3 Sa’de Turlington, So., Guard. (6.0 ppg)
• #42 Shailee Bundy, Jr., Center. (5.9 ppg)

Scoring offense: 52.4 ppg (4th in 4A)

Scoring defense: 41.3 ppg (5th in 4A)

Last state championship: 2014 (3A)

2019 postseason: Lost to Uintah 58-50 in the 4A first round

Deseret News staff writer Trent Wood’s bracket: Loss to Ridgeline in semifinals

Wood’s workup:: If not for Cedar City, Desert Hills might be the tournament favorite. The Thunder lost only three games all year, two of which came in close fashion to the Reds. They’ve already beaten No. 4 Juan Diego, No. 7 Pine View and No. 8 Logan. With the fourth-ranked scoring offense and fifth-ranked scoring defense, Desert Hills is extremely balanced. There is some youth in prominent roles, though, which makes a likely semifinal matchup Ridgeline an interesting contrast.

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No. 4 Juan Diego Soaring Eagle (18-4)

2019-2020 Schedule

Head coach: Ashlee McKray (third year)

Region: Finished 1st in Region 10 with a 12-0 record

Quarterfinals: vs. Green Canyon, 4:10 p.m. (At Weber State)

How advanced to quarterfinals:

• First round: Bye
• Second round: Defeated Uintah 31-21

Best victory: Defeated Ridgeline 48-45 on Dec. 3

Top contributors:

• #4 Kiely Rasmussen, Sr., Guard. (9.8 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.9 spg)
• #5 Kamry Pan, Sr., Guard. (8.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 2.0 spg)
• #15 Laulea Tavake, Sr., Forward. (8.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 0.6 apg, 2.4 spg)
• #24 Mahinetea Tavanae, So., Forward. (8.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.2 apg, 2.5 spg)
• #30 Sophia Lopez, Jr., Forward. (3.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.6 apg, 0.7 spg)

Scoring offense: 52.2. ppg (5th in 4A)

Scoring defense: 39.3 ppg (2nd in 4A)

Last state championship: 2017 (3A)

2019 postseason: Lost to Ridgeline 61-44 in the 4A first round

Deseret News staff writer Trent Wood’s bracket: Loss to Green Canyon in quarterfinals

Wood’s workup:: Everyone knows the saying, ‘defense wins championships.’ If that holds true, Juan Diego could be holding up the state championship trophy when all is said and done. The Soaring Eagle boast the second-best scoring defense in 4A and offensively are extremely balanced, with four players averaging nearly identical points per game. The bracket is not favorable, though, as Juan Diego will have to go through Green Canyon and its powerful offense and then take on the defending champs.

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No. 5 Green Canyon Wolves (17-5)

2019-2020 Schedule

Head coach: Alexis Bird (third year)

Region: Finished 2nd in Region 11 with a 7-3 record

Quarterfinals: vs. Juan Diego, 4:10 p.m. (At Weber State)

How advanced to quarterfinals:

• First round: Bye
• Second round: Defeated Bear River 65-40

Best victory: Defeated Sky View 63-56 on Jan. 23

Top contributors:

• #21 Kennedy Eskelson, Sr., Guard. (14.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.1 apg, 2.1 spg)
• #0 Kinley Falslev, Sr., Guard. (12.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.7 spg)
• #22 Shante’ Falslev, Sr., Guard. (11.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.7 spg)
• #14 Jordyn Thompson, Sr., Guard. (8.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.0 spg)
• #12 Allee Mckenna, Sr., Forward. (5.6 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.0 apg, 1.2 spg)

Scoring offense: 58.6 ppg (2nd in 4A)

Scoring defense: 43.7 ppg (8th in 4A)

Last state championship: N/A

2019 postseason: Lost to Lehi 58-55 in the 4A quarterfinals

Deseret News staff writer Trent Wood’s bracket: Loss to Cedar City in semifinals

Wood’s workup:: Green Canyon was one of the title favorites entering the year and they didn’t do a whole lot to invalidate that over the course of the regular season. The Wolves finished second in Region 11 and boast one of 4A’s most dynamic offensive attacks. Defense has not be as much of a strength, though, and if Green Canyon makes it past Juan Diego in the quarterfinals, they’ll have to take down Cedar City in the semis.

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No. 6 Snow Canyon Warriors (15-6)

2019-2020 Schedule

Head coach: Dan Roden (fourth year)

Region: Finished 4th in Region 9 with an 8-6 record

Quarterfinals: vs. Desert Hills, 9:10 p.m. (At Weber State)

How advanced to quarterfinals:

• First round: Bye
• Second round: Defeated Dixie 49-29

Best victory: Defeated Salem Hills 61-59 on Dec. 6

Top contributors:

• #1 Tylei Jensen, Sr., Guard. (17.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.7 spg)
• #23 Olivia Harris, Sr., Guard. (12.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.6 spg)
• #21 Rachel Durante, Sr., Forward. (6.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.4 spg)
• #4 Hallie Remund, Sr., Forward. (5.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.6 spg)
• #24 Tyler Mooring, Jr., Forward. (2.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.3 apg, 0.2 spg)

Scoring offense: 51 ppg (7th in 4A)

Scoring defense: 44.8 ppg (10th in 4A)

Last state championship: 2016 (3A)

2019 postseason: Lost to Pine View 42-37 in the Region 9 play-in game

Deseret News staff writer Trent Wood’s bracket: Loss to Desert Hills in quarterfinals

Wood’s workup:: Snow Canyon is no pushover at the No. 6 seed. The Warriors have already beaten Juan Diego this season, not to mention a solid 5A team in Salem Hills. They could not top the best of Region 9, though — Cedar City, Desert Hills and Pine View all swept the season series — and the quarterfinal draw of the Thunder does not bode well. The Thunder defeated the Warriors twice this year, with an average margin of victory of 17 points.

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No. 7 Pine View Panthers (16-7)

2019-2020 Schedule

Head coach: Ben Luce (first year)

Region: Finished 3rd in Region 9 with a 10-4 record

Quarterfinals: vs. Ridgeline, 7:30 p.m. (At Weber State)

How advanced to quarterfinals:

• First round: Bye
• Second round: Defeated Stansbury 65-50

Best victory: Defeated Snow Canyon 54-52 on Jan. 31

Top contributors:

• #20 Averi Papa, Jr., Forward. (14.3 ppg, 10.2 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.2 spg)
• #2 Ellie Wilson, Sr., Guard. (9.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.1 spg)
• #10 Alex Olson, Jr., Guard. (8.2 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.2 spg)
• #0 Sophie Jensen, Sr., Guard. (7.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 2.8 apg, 2.1 spg)
• #34 Leiani Tonga, Sr., Forward. (5.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.4 apg, 1.0 spg)

Scoring offense: 56.5 ppg (3rd in 4A)

Scoring defense: 42.1 ppg (2nd in 4A)

Last state championship: 2001 (3A)

2019 postseason: Lost to Lehi 49-44 in the 4A first round

Deseret News staff writer Trent Wood’s bracket: Loss to Ridgeline in quarterfinals

Wood’s workup:: Pine View is arguably the most interesting underdog in the tournament. Statistically, the Panthers are as good as any team not named Cedar City. Pine View boasts the third-best scoring offense in 4A and the second-best scoring defense. Pine View’s third place finish in Region 9 came down to the simple fact that the Panthers’ could not beat either Cedar City or Desert Hills. The draw isn’t favorable in that regard, as Pine View would have to beat both teams to win a title, plus Region 11 Ridgeline. An upset or two is not out of the discussion, however.

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No. 8 Logan Grizzlies (13-9)

2019-2020 Schedule

Head coach: Josh Zentner (fourth year)

Region: Finished 4th in Region 11 with a 4-6 record

Quarterfinals: vs. Cedar City, 5:50 p.m. (At Weber State)

How advanced to quarterfinals:

• First round: Bye
• Second round: Defeated Sky View 52-39

Best victory: Defeated Taylorsville 69-41 on Dec. 13

Top contributors:

• #11 Amber Kartchner, Jr., Guard. (17.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.7 spg)
• #1 Taylor Rose, Jr., Guard. (9.0 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1.4 spg)
• #20 Alec Kennington, Jr., Guard. (6.2 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.4 spg)
• #14 Ginger Anderson, Sr., Forward. (5.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.6 apg, 0.6 spg)
• #25 Emily Thurston, Jr., Forward. (3.7 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 0.3 apg, 0.5 spg)

Scoring offense: 48.9 ppg (9th in 4A)

Scoring defense: 45.5 ppg (11th in 4A)

Last state championship: N/A

2019 postseason: Lost to Stansbury 49-41 in the 4A first round

Deseret News staff writer Trent Wood’s bracket: Loss to Cedar City in quarterfinals

Wood’s workup:: Logan might have the best player in the tournament, in junior guard Amber Kartchner. That is where the good news ends. The Grizzlies have the worst scoring offense and defense of the eight teams remaining, and has a quarterfinal matchup with the defending champs. An upset of Cedar City would be storybook, but the Grizzlies’ tournament run will likely come to an end at the hands of the Reds.

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