ST. GEORGE — Kody Wilstead and Courtney Morley, who were named as Region 9 boys and girls MVPs, respectively, were both high-profile players who led their teams in scoring and rebounding. But it was the little things that made them so incredible. And it was the little things that helped the two lead their teams to Region 9 titles, and in Wilstead’s case, the state championship.

“I’ll never forget that phone call,” Pine View coach Darrell Larsen said. “He called and asked me if it was OK if he played this year, even though he had missed camp and stuff. I took it to the team and every one of them said yes.”

Wilstead and his teammates went 10-2 in region, earning the top seed. At the 3A State tournament, the Panthers blew out three opponents and then just edged Dixie 46-43 in the championship game. Wilstead, who had 15 points and 14 rebounds in the title game, pulled down a key offensive board with just seconds left to secure the win.

Wilstead, who hjas signed to play football at BYU, had originally planned on leaving on an LDS Mission in January. But he moved his departure date at the end of 2014 and Larsen was more than happy to put the senior on the roster.

Morley averaged 13 points and five rebounds this past season for the Lady Reds, who were perfect at 12-0 in Region 9. They lost 50-43 in the semifinals to Morgan.

“Courtney’s fantastic,” Cedar coach John Elison said. “We love her. Day in and day out — I don’t know what she averages total on points, but her play and what she does, it’s awesome. It’s fun to have her.”

The boys first team consists of Chaz Peterson and Garrett Bowker from Pine View, Quincy Mathews and Marcus McKone from Desert Hills, Tyler Bennett from Dixie and Kyle Wood from Cedar. Mathews was the leading scorer in the region, pouring in more than 20 points a game.

The boys second team is Jed Newby (PV), Blake Ence (PV), Keaton Kringlen (Canyon View), Ben Brown (Cedar), Max Mills (DH), Tanner Leishman (DH), Jake Hawes (Dixie), Kaden Langston (Hurricane) and Jake Frei (Snow Canyon).

The boys honorable mention players are Cody Ruesch (PV), Austin Beatty (HHS), James Bennion (HHS), Izaic Blazzard (Dixie), RJ Wilgar (Dixie), Austin Adams (DH), Jeff Rogers (Cedar), Keenan Nielson (Cedar), Ty Nielson (CV), Sterling Barnes (CV), Kade Potter (SC) and Brad Grisenti (SC).

For the girls, Morley, the MVP, is just a junior. The defensive MVP was Cedar’s Javlyn Weaver. Other first teamers were Ashley Beckstrand of Desert Hills, Mada Mooring of Snow Canyon, Aubrey Challis of Dixie, Alexa Estridge of Dixie and Kenzie Done of Desert Hills. Beckstrand was the leading scorer in 3A at 21.6 points a game.

The girls second team is Nikenna Durante (SC), Tayvia Ah’Quin (Pine View), Shontae Clark (Canyon View), Shana Foley (Cedar) and London Steglich (Hurricane).

The girls Honorable Mentions were Abbie Corry (CV), Kylie Williams (DH), Shaylee Reed (SC), Claire Newby (PV) and Chelsi Cahoon (Hurricane).

The all-region teams were voted on and submitted by the coaches from Region 9.

Region 9 Boys

MVP — Kody Wilstead

First team
Chaz Peterson  PVHS
Garrett Bowker  PVHS
Tyler Bennett    Dixie
Kyle Wood        Cedar
Quincy Mathews DHHS
Marcus McKone  DHHS

Second team
Jed Newby  PVHS
Blake Ence  PVHS
Keaton Kringlen CV
Ben Brown  Cedar
Max Mills DHHS
Tanner Leishman DHHS
Jake Hawes Dixie
Kaden Langston HHS
Jake Frei SC

Honorable Mention
Cody Ruesch  PV
Austin Beatty HHS
James Bennion HHS
Izaic Blazzard Dixie
RJ Wilgar Dixie
Austin Adams DHHS
Jeff Rogers Cedar
Keenan Nielson Cedar
Ty Nielson CV
Sterling Barnes CV
Kade Potter SC
Brad Grisenti SC

Region 9 Girls

MVP — Courtney Morley
Defensive POY — Javlyn Weaver

First team
Ashley Beckstrand – DHHS
Mada Mooring – SCHS
Aubrey Challis – Dixie
Alexa Estridge – Dixie
Kenzie Done – DHHS

Second team
Nikenna Durante – SCHS
Tayvia Aquin – PVHS
Shontae Clark – CVHS
Shana Foley – CHS
London Steglich – HHS

Honorable Mention
Abbie Corry – CVHS
Kylie Williams – DHHS
Shaylee Reed – SCHS
Claire Newby – PVHS
Chelsi Cahoon – HHS

Email: [email protected]