ST. GEORGE — With Region 9 games beginning Wednesday, the St. George News sports staff helps prepare fans for the 2013-14 region season with a series of boys basketball previews.
DIXIE FLYERS
Head Coach: Ryan Cuff (6th year)
2012-2013 Record: 9-14 (T-4th in region with a 6-6 record)
2013 Postseason: Lost to Judge Memorial 54-40 in the 3A first round
Key Returners: Sam Guymon, Harrison Labrum
Key Losses: Blake Barney, Kyler Smith, Dakota Bair, Kyle Hansen, Cole Critchfield
Probable Starters: RJ Wilgar, Sam Guymon, Harrison Labrum, Jake Hawes, Tyler Bennett
Key Reserves: Izaic Blazzard, Jake Christiansen, Jayden Roberts
Lineup: It’s a whole new ballgame for the Flyers as most of the starters graduated and one key players, Critchfield, moved to Wyoming. So Cuff is starting somewhat from scratch. Having RJ Wilgar leading the way helps though. The junior guard is tough as nails. Running the point will be Bennett, while Hawes provides some basketball smarts. Labrum and Guymon, though underaized, will have anchor the middle, with the 6-4 Christiansen helping out.
Outlook: The top teams in the region all have key big guys back, plus other experienced players. Dixie, meanwhile, is young and raw. But the Flyers already have a couple of impressive wins at the 3A preview and hope to offset inexperience with hustle and athleticism. Look for a lot of fullcourt press and run and gun from Dixie to try and take some of the region’s big guys out of the mix.
Coach Says: “It’s going to be tough for us. We lost a good 7-8 seniors from last year. We feel like because of the quality players last year that our underclassmen got better,” Cuff said. “I think our young guys are really excited to get going and show what they can do.”
2013-14 Region 9 projected finish:
R9 coaches — 5th
R9 media — 5th
DesNews — 5th
|
# |
Player |
Height |
Weight |
Position |
Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
0 |
Christiansen, Jake |
6-4 |
185 |
Guard |
Senior |
|
1 |
WILGAR, RJ |
6-1 |
165– |
Guard |
Junior |
|
2 |
BLAZZARD, Izaic |
6-0 |
175 |
Guard |
Junior |
|
3 |
AITKEN, Konner |
5-8 |
160 |
Guard |
Junior |
|
4 |
KENNEDY, Sam |
6-0 |
185 |
Guard |
Junior |
|
10 |
LEIFSON, Riley |
6-2 |
175 |
Forward |
Junior |
|
11 |
CROCKETT, Nate |
5-11 |
150 |
Guard |
Sophomore |
|
21 |
ROBERTS, Jayden |
6-4 |
175 |
Center |
Senior |
|
23 |
HAWES, Jake |
6-4 |
180 |
Guard |
Junior |
|
24 |
HALE, Garrett |
6-2 |
160 |
Forward |
Senior |
|
25 |
GUYMON, Sam |
6-5 |
175 |
Forward |
Senior |
|
30 |
RAMOS, Chandler |
6-0 |
145 |
Guard |
Sophomore |
|
33 |
LABRUM, Harrison |
6-4 |
190 |
Forward |
Senior |
|
35 |
LANGFORD, Ethan |
6-3 |
160 |
Forward |
Junior |
|
50 |
EARDLEY, James |
6-0 |
170 |
Forward |
Sophomore |
2013-14 Region Schedule – Dixie
Wed., Dec. 11 – vs. Desert Hills
Wed., Dec. 18 – @ Hurricane
Wed., Jan. 8 – @ Pine View
Fri., Jan. 10 – vs. Snow Canyon
Fri., Jan. 17 – vs. Canyon View
Wed., Jan. 22 – @ Cedar
Fri., Jan. 24 – @ Desert Hills
Wed., Jan. 29 – vs. Hurricane
Fri., Jan. 31 – vs. Pine View
Wed., Feb. 5 – @ Snow Canyon
Wed., Feb. 12 – @ Canyon View
Fri., Feb. 14 – vs. Cedar
Preseason Tourneys: Dec. 6-7 @ 3A Preview; Dec. 13-14 @ Robinson Classic; Dec. 19-21 @ Red Rock Rumble
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