Preseason Coaches Poll
T-1. Declo
T-1. Valley
T-1. Wendell
Players to Watch
Kadence Spencer, Declo
Macie Larsen, Declo
Aryana Kahalioumi, Declo
Ana Scott, Wendell
Kelbi Lewis, Valley
Written by: Keller Sherman
The Canyon Conference was completely flipped on its head last season. The overall records failed to show any reflection of how the teams fared in conference play with the best overall records per team being the direct opposite of how the teams finished in the conference during the regular season. Declo finished 1st in the conference at 3-1 despite having the worst overall record at 7-16, while Valley went 1-3 in league play, but 18-8 overall. Wendell finished right in the middle both overall and in conference at 9-11 and 2-2 respectively.
Declo did not represent the conference at state despite the 1st place regular season finish. The Hornets swept the regular season series with Valley, but lost two straight to the Vikings in the district tournament. Three all-conference selections are back for the Hornets in Kadence Spencer, Macie Larsen, and Aryana Kahalioumi and they will look to avoid a collapse in the district tournament as occurred last season.
Valley finished in last place in the conference in the regular season, but had the best overall record at 18-8 and was able to win the district tournament to advance to state where they went two and out. This feat is all the more impressive when you consider that this was the first year for the Vikings at the 2A level. The Vikings will have to deal with the losses of three of their four all-conference selections from last season. Railey Hodges, Bailey Stephens, and Makenna Kohtz all departed, and Kelbi Lewis is the lone returnee. Valley will see good competition early as they will compete at the Carey Holiday Tournament the first weekend of December.
Wendell split their regular season series with its two conference peers in Declo and Valley, which gave them a 2-2 record in conference. Overall, the Trojans finished 9-11, 2nd best in the league. They will bring back only one of their three all conference selections, however, in Ana Scott. Departed seniors Aspen Stinemates and Julianna Pope brought home the other two honors for the Trojans.