ST. GEORGE – Basketball season is upon us, and though region play doesn’t begin for the southern Utah schools until mid-January, there are still plenty of non-league games on tap as the local schools hone their skills in anticipation of a run at a state title.
Pine View comes in as the defending state champion, while Dixie is the early favorite in region with several returning players from the team that lost to Pine View in the state title game. Desert Hills is also picked among the top three by the region coaches and media after making the semifinals last season. Snow Canyon, Cedar and Hurricane are also looking to step it up in 2015-16.
Here is a preseason glance at each team:
Dixie Flyers
Coach: Ryan Cuff
2014-15 record: 20-6 overall; 9-3 in region (2nd-tie)
Postseason result: Lost to Pine View, 46-43, in the 3A state championship game
Returning starters (3): Guard Tyler Bennett (16.9 ppg); Gurad Malachi Otis (2.6 ppg, 2.5 apg), Center Richard Guymon (2.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg)
Other key players: Zak Harrah, Tanner Larkin, Connor Dyches, James Eardley, Nate Crockett, Isaac Swensen
Outlook: Dixie has two big things for heading into the 2015-16 season: experience and motivation. With preseason MVP Bennett and the drive to get back to the championship (and win this time), the Flyers are the team to beat.
Coach Cuff says: “We don’t mind having a target on our backs. It doesn’t matter because in Region 9, you have to come out ready to play every game.”
See schedule below.
Pine View Panthers
Coach: Darrell Larsen
2014-15 record: 23-2 overall; 10-2 in region (1st)
Postseason Result: Beat Dixie 46-43 in 3A State Championship
Returning starters (2): Forward Cody Ruesch (7.2 ppg, 4.9 rpg); Guard Steve Bangerter (2.3 ppg)
Other key players: Trey Farrer, Tyler Johnston, Brandon Yates, Kade Moore, Dylan hendrickson, Matt DalleyDaniel Larsen
Outlook: The state champs were senior-heavy last season, but Ruesch and Bangerter got significant minutes last year and Farrer and Johnston look ready to break out as stars.
Coach Ryan Eves says: “Even though we lost some incredible players, we feel like we have a lot of younger guys who have worked hard and are ready to step up. We feel pretty good about our team.”
Desert Hills Thunder
Coach: Wade Turley
2014-15 Record: 18-7 overall; 9-3 Region (2nd-tie)
Postseason Result: Lost to Dixie 79-72 in 4OT in state semifinals
Returning starters (1): Marcus McKone (10.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
Other key players: Ty Simister, Jacob Mathews, Logan Hokanson, Tanner Turley, Jayce Jones, Cody Fitzgerald.
Outlook: Replacing a big team (6-5 Quincy Mathews and 6-7 Austin Adams) won’t be easy, plus Mathews was one of those guys that could just go get a basket when DH needed one. But this looks like a good shooting team starting with McKone, who made 49 3-pointers last year.
Coach Turley says: “You don’t replace a Quincy Mathews with one guy. We’re going to have to do it with the team concept. Guys are going to have to play hard and be unselfish.”
Cedar Redmen
Coach: Crag Cardon
2014-15 Record: 11-10 overall; 6-6 in region (4th)
Postseason Result: Lost to Richfield 55-38 in 3A first round
Returning starters (2): Guard Keenan Nielson (9.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg); Forward Ben Brinkerhoff.
Other key players: Mason Fakahua, Ethan Boettcher, Braden Garrett, Parker Haynie, Ethan Fletcher.
Outlook: Like his older brothers, Nielson is set to become a star in this region, but will need help and the team does not have much experience beyond Brinkerhoff and Fakahua. Brinkerhoff is the only senior on the squad.
Coach Cardon says: “This is a wonderful opportunity for these younger guys to step up and fill those roles and they’re capable. I think we’ll be able to score in a variety of ways. Hopefully we can find our identity sooner, than later.”
Snow Canyon Warriors
Coach: James Brown
2014-15 Record: 7-13 overall; 3-9 in region (5th-tie)
Postseason Result: Missed playoffs
Returning starters (3): Guard Brock Staheli (8.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg); Center Justin Loveless (8.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg); Guard TJ Taimi (4.3 ppg, 2.1 rpg)
Other key players: Caeden Barney, Hunter Barney, Kobe Tupu, Hunter Hammer, Teagan Mendenhall, Taylor Sampson, Taylor Abbott.
Outlook: Brown, in his 15th season, has only missed the playoffs twice, including last year. It’s hard to imagine the Warriors would miss them twice in a row. Loveless may be the top offensive center in the region and Taimi brings outside touch and athleticism, but the key to this team will be the all-around play of Staheli.
Coach Brown says: “These guys have worked very hard. Keeping 10 seniors is a lot, but they’ve all got something they can give to us and it’s up to us as a coaching staff to get those parts together that function properly.”
Hurricane Tigers
Coach: Todd Langston
2014-15 Record: 6-16 overall; 3-9 in region (5th-tie)
Postseason Result: Missed playoffs
Returning starters (1): Forward Reagan Hinton (8..1 ppg, 4.7 rpg)
Other key players: Kirt McDaniel, Landon Barker, Jackson Last, Josh Parker, Jack Stevenson, Kyle Williams.
Outlook: Baby steps, maybe, but the Tigers have improved each season under Langston. Now the next step needs to be taken: the playoffs. Hurricane is putting a lot on senior post Hinton, who had a great summer and is the lone returning starter. Barker and Last are shooters an McDaniel runs the point.
Coach Langston says: “I feel like the program is getting better every year. The kids have spent a lot of time in the gym. If you put the time in, you’re going be able to be successful. We won’t have any problem putting the ball in the hole.”
Region 9 2015-16 Team Schedules:
Dixie Flyers
| DATE | 2015-16 SCHEDULE | TIME |
| Thurs, Dec. 3 | vs Richfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 4 | 2A-3A PRE vs Grantsville | 11:30 a.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | 3A PRE vs Logan | 10:30 a.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 11 | ROBINSON CLSC vs Spanish Fork | 6:00 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 12 | Robinson Clsc vs Green Valley, Nev. | 3:00 p.m. |
| Thurs, Dec. 17 | Coach Walk Clsc vs TBD | 12:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 18 | Coach Walk Clsc vs Springville | 9:30 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 19 | Coach Walk Clsc vs Viewmont | 1:00 p.m. |
| Mon, Dec. 28 | Riverton Trny vs Riverton | 7:00 p.m. |
| Tues, Dec. 29 | Riverton Trny vs Cyprus | 3:30 p.m. |
| Wed, Dec. 30 | Riverton Trny vs TBD | 12:00 a.m. |
| Thurs, Dec. 31 | Riverton Trny vs TBD | 12:00 a.m. |
| Sat., Jan. 9 | at Bishop Gorman, Nev. | 2:30 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 13 | vs Pine View | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 15 | at Hurricane | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 20 | at Desert Hills | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 22 | vs Snow Canyon | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 27 | at Cedar | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 29 | at Pine View | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Feb. 3 | vs Desert Hills | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Feb. 5 | vs Hurricane | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Feb. 10 | at Snow Canyon | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Feb. 12 | vs Cedar | 7:00 p.m. |
Pine View Panthers
| DATE | GAME | TIME |
| Tues, Nov. 24 | HALL OF FAME GAMES vs Manti W – 70-59 | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Dec. 2 | vs Enterprise | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 4 | 2A/3A Prev: vs Logan | 2:30 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | 2A/3A Prev: vs Grantsville | 9:00 a.m. |
| Tues, Dec. 8 | at Canyon View | 7:00 p.m. |
| Thurs, Dec. 10 | NGS CLASSIC vs TBD | 12:00 a.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 11 | NGS CLASSIC vs TBD | 12:00 a.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 12 | NGS CLASSIC vs TBD | 12:00 a.m. |
| Thurs, Dec. 17 | Coach Walk Clsc vs Springville | 8:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 18 | Coach Walk Clsc vs Viewmont | 8:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Dec. 30 | vs Richfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 13 | at Dixie | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 15 | at Snow Canyon | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 20 | vs Cedar | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 22 | at Desert Hills | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 27 | at Hurricane | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 29 | vs Dixie | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Feb. 3 | at Cedar | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Feb. 5 | vs Snow Canyon | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Feb. 10 | vs Desert Hills | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Feb. 12 | vs Hurricane | 7:00 p.m. |
Desert Hills Thunder
| DATE | 2015-16 SCHEDULE | TIME |
| Tues, Dec. 1 | vs Canyon View (W – 71-61) | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 4 | 2A/3A Prev: vs Richfield | 8:30 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | 2A/3A Prev: vs Morgan | 12:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 11 | Robinson Clsc vs Spring Valley, Nev. | 6:00 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 12 | Robinson Clsc vs Spanish Fork | 12:00 p.m. |
| Thurs, Dec. 17 | Coach Walk Clsc vs Manti | 5:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 18 | Coach Walk Clsc vs Westlake | 6:30 p.m. |
| Mon, Dec. 28 | Hodson Classic vs Union | 5:30 p.m. |
| Tues, Dec. 29 | Hodson Classic vs Skyline | 3:30 p.m. |
| Wed, Dec. 30 | Hodson Classic vs Eldorado, Nev. | 3:30 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 8 | at Arbor View, Nev. | 6:30 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 13 | vs Hurricane | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 15 | at Cedar | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 20 | vs Dixie | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 22 | vs Pine View | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 27 | at Snow Canyon | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 29 | at Hurricane | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Feb. 3 | at Dixie | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Feb. 5 | vs Cedar | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Feb. 10 | at Pine View | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Feb. 12 | vs Snow Canyon | 7:00 p.m. |
Snow Canyon Warriors
| DATE | 2015-16 SCHEDULE | TIME |
| Tues, Nov. 24 | at Canyon View (L – 57-50) | 7:00 p.m. |
| Thurs, Dec. 3 | at Brighton | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 4 | at Juan Diego | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Dec. 9 | at Enterprise | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 11 | at Richfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Thurs, Dec. 17 | Coach Walk Clsc vs Westlake | 6:30 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 19 | Coach Walk Clsc vs Manti | 2:30 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 13 | at Cedar | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 15 | vs Pine View | 7:00 p.m. |
| Mon, Jan. 18 | vs Wasatch Academy | 2:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 20 | vs Hurricane | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 22 | at Dixie | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 27 | vs Desert Hills | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 29 | vs Cedar | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Feb. 5 | at Pine View | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Feb. 10 | vs Dixie | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Feb. 12 | at Desert Hills | 7:00 p.m. |
Cedar Redmen
| DATE | 2015-16 SCHEDULE | TIME |
| Tues, Nov. 24 | vs Salem Hills (L – 73-54) | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 4 | 2A/3A Prev: vs Morgan | 4:00 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | 2A/3A Prev: vs Manti | 7:30 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 11 | vs Juab | 7:00 p.m. |
| Tues, Dec. 15 | at North Sanpete | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 18 | vs Canyon View | 7:00 p.m. |
| Mon, Dec. 28 | Hodson Classic vs Spanish Fork | 8:30 p.m. |
| Tues, Dec. 29 | Hodson Classic vs Union | 6:30 p.m. |
| Wed, Dec. 30 | Hodson Classic vs Carbon | 5:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 6 | at Richfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 8 | at Canyon View | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 13 | vs Snow Canyon | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 15 | vs Desert Hills | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 20 | at Pine View | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 22 | at Hurricane | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 27 | vs Dixie | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 29 | at Snow Canyon | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Feb. 3 | vs Pine View | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Feb. 5 | at Desert Hills | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Feb. 10 | vs Hurricane | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Feb. 12 | at Dixie | 7:00 p.m. |
Hurricane Tigers
| DATE | 2015-16 SCHEDULE | TIME |
| Wed, Nov. 25 | vs Canyon View (L-77-76) | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 4 | 2A/3A Prev: vs Tooele | 1:00 p.m. |
| Sat., Dec. 5 | 2A/3A Prev: vs South Sevier | 6:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Dec. 16 | vs Richfield | 7:00 p.m. |
| Thurs, Dec. 17 | Coach Walk Clsc vs Viewmont | 9:30 p.m. |
| Fri, Dec. 18 | Coach Walk Clsc vs Manti | tba |
| Sat., Dec. 19 | Coach Walk Clsc vs Springville | 1:00 p.m. |
| Mon, Dec. 28 | DESERT OASIS CLSC, tbd | tbd |
| Tues, Dec. 29 | DESERT OASIS CLSC, tbd | tbd |
| Wed, Dec. 30 | DESERT OASIS CLSC, tbd | tbd |
| Sat., Jan. 9 | at Parowan | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 13 | at Desert Hills | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 15 | vs Dixie | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 20 | at Snow Canyon | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 22 | vs Cedar | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Jan. 27 | vs Pine View | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Jan. 29 | vs Desert Hills | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Feb. 5 | at Dixie | 7:00 p.m. |
| Wed, Feb. 10 | at Cedar | 7:00 p.m. |
| Fri, Feb. 12 | at Pine View | 7:00 p.m. |
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