High school girls basketball: 3A title fight will be tough one

Only one thing is certain in 3A girls basketball this season: The parity has never been more evident.

In other words, that state championship trophy could end up finding a home anywhere from Logan to St. George.

While coaches voted the defending 3A state champion Wasatch Wasps No. 1 in preseason polls after their perfect 25-0 season, many acknowledged the competition will be fierce this winter.

Morgan was voted No. 2 in those preseason rankings, with nearly all of last year's team back, and the Trojans proved there is some legitimacy to the vote of confidence when they gave Wasatch its first loss on Friday night.

Wasatch has just one starter and two role players back and lost two of its top six players to injuries this fall. BYU-bound senior Kim Parker is the player most teams will try to double team, but senior guard Kim Carlile, senior guard Karin Cottle, junior guard Katrina Baird, junior forward Natalie Pennington, and freshman center Arlyn Robinson should provide a nice supporting cast to Parker.

One thing that will help the Wasps is good team chemistry. Parker is a kind-hearted superstar.

"She's the kind of player who's concerned with the team doing well," Pyper said of Parker. "She plays other sports, like soccer, and she knows the value of playing as a team."

Pyper said he's confident he has players who will rise to the occasion as the Wasps try to defend their title.

"We feel as though we have the type of players who can step up and contribute right away," he said.

Finishing well in region play will be critical this season, Pyper said. It means two home games versus two road games, and that can make a huge difference as most 3A schools pack the gymnasium in support of their basketball teams.

Morgan was voted No. 2, but the young Trojans stumbled against a very experienced Carbon team earlier in the week. Morgan is led by seniors Kirsten Merrett and Crishelle Stegelmeier, both forwards, and juniors Angela Blazzard and Chelsea Morgan, as well as sophomores Becca Rees and Ashley Garfield.

Wasatch will have serious competition from last year's 3A runner-up, Judge, as well as Uintah in Region 10. The Bulldogs were voted No. 2 in the preseason polls and return their entire starting line-up, including senior Tina Fakahafua, senior Alison Brann, junior Erica Martinez, junior Mikelle Mancini, junior Rosie Neville and junior Alli Nakamura.