ST. GEORGE — Region 10 coaches began voting for postseason honors after the 4A state basketball championships were decided in Logan two weeks ago.
The votes were tabulated and Snow Canyon emerged with both MVPs: junior Owen Mackay won the boys award and sophomore Olivia Hamlin earned top honors for the girls.
Region 11’s Sky View won the boys 4A state championship, beating Dixie in a close title game. Region 11’s Ridgeline steamrolled the state and went undefeated on the way to capturing the girls crown.
Next year the road to the state tournament will be much different as the number of 4A teams in Utah will double and competition for Region 10 squads will become a lot tougher.
All-Region 10 boys teams
MVP Mackay was asked to take an unfamiliar role at the beginning of the season and ended up flourishing in a leadership position.
“I think what he demonstrated was just the ability to enhance what he had done the year before,” Snow Canyon coach Doug Meacham told St. George News. “Owen had to take on a bigger scoring role for us but still keep his teammates involved. I thought he excelled at that.”
Kyle Lemke, Dixie’s junior big man who was a force on both sides of the floor, was named Defensive MVP.
Making the All-Region 10 first team are Dixie junior Breckon Robinson, Desert Hills senior Lincoln Holmes, Dixie junior point guard Jordan Roberts, Crimson Cliffs senior Jordan Eaton and Snow Canyon’s Will Warner.
“He’ll end up being our leader in assists and steals at Snow Canyon in our history,” Meacham said about Warner. “What I’ll miss the most is his winning competitive spirit. Just a fun player to coach … never let his emotions get the better of him.”
Members of the All-Region 10 second team include Desert Hills junior Eli Allred, Pine View juniors Griffen Shepherd and Nash Schroeder, Cedar senior Ty Bronson and Snow Canyon’s Cy Meacham.
“Cy really improved his ability to guard,” Coach Meacham said about his son. “He spent a lot of time in the weight room getting stronger and he put in the time taking shots in the offseason, as much as any player I’ve coached.”
Members of the All-Region 10 third team are Desert Hills seniors Boston Holbrook and Chomp Jones, Dixie senior Grant Carter, Crimson Cliffs senior Houston Johnsen and Cedar senior Stockton Albrecht.
Coach Meacham praised the Warrior who received honorable mention, senior Bear Leavitt.
“You never know what your senior year will look like, especially coming back from an injury like Bear was,” Meacham said. “He continued to have a good attitude and helped us win some big games. I loved his positive force in our locker room, that’s what stands out to me, was how positive he was.”
Joining Leavitt on the All-Region 10 honorable mention team are Hurricane junior Cayleb Jackman and senior Mason Gilberg, Pine View seniors Kanyon Dickerson and Tim Long, Cedar junior Landon Kreitzer, Crimson Cliffs junior Luke “Scoop” Johnson and senior Phoenix McWillis.
All-Region 10 girls teams
There was little doubt about who would get the nod when it came time to pick a girls MVP.
“Olivia was a unanimous choice, all seven coaches,” Snow Canyon coach Dan Roden told St. George News. “She’s a transcendent player. She led the state in scoring, she makes everybody she plays with better. It was an easy choice.”
Snow Canyon senior Natalie Olson and sophomore Kelly Howard were both named to the All-Region 10 first team.
“Natalie did so much for us. She was a unanimous first-team player,” Roden said, noting how hard it will be to replace Olson after she graduates.
“She could defend multiple positions, she did a lot of little things for us,” Roden said. “We could put her in as press-breaker, as a playmaker and she handles the ball well. She’s just very versatile.”
Howard earned first-team honors after evolving into a complete player.
“She’s a great shooter, which she’s known for her whole life,” Roden said. “She came into her own as a defender this year. We had her guard against the best perimeter player every game. She either shut them down or made life more difficult.”
Joining the two Warriors on the All-Region 10 first team are Dixie junior Kealah Faumuina, Pine View senior Avery Gustin and Desert Hills junior Hannah Heaton.
The All-Region 10 second team is made up of Cedar sophomore Annalyse Shimada, Hurricane junior Addison Crandall, Desert Hills junior Ashtin Hansen, Dixie senior Jaide Bundy and Pine View freshman Reese Gustin.
The All-Region 10 third team features Snow Canyon sophomore Joey Jensen, Crimson Cliffs sophomore Alyssa Whitaker, Pine View senior Ellie Norton, Desert Hills junior Jacie Riding and Cedar junior Kiara Hansen.
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