by James Tate

The upcoming high school basketball season in Region 1 and Region 5 promises to be one of the most competitive in recent memory, with returning stars, rising underclass talent, and programs across both regions gearing up for deep postseason runs. From the physical, fast‑paced battles that define Region 1 to the balanced, rivalry‑driven matchups in Region 5, the stage is set for a winter full of storylines, breakout performances, and championship‑level intensity. Over the next month these previews highlight the teams, players, and momentum shaping the 2026-2027 campaign as both the girls and boys sides prepare for another unforgettable season.

Bonneville Lakers

Head Coach: Johnny Caine

2025-26 Record: 12-13 overall, 6-6 region

The Lakers took a major hit when an offseason injury derailed senior guard Baya Jimenez’s season. Jimenez, a three-year starter and Deseret News All-State Honorable Mention performer the past two years, will be missed on the court. However, head coach Johnny Caine remains optimistic about his team and the impact Jimenez can still make on the program.

“I’ve had the tremendous pleasure and opportunity to watch Baya develop as a basketball player, and more importantly as a person, ever since she was a young 7th grader at South Jr High,” Coach Caine said. “It has been an absolute privilege to coach her and she has played an integral part in helping our program build to where it is today. It’s tough losing a player of her caliber and will miss her on the floor for sure, but she’ll still be a major presence on our team. She will have the opportunity to display her outstanding leadership skills and basketball knowledge as she transitions from player to coach this season while she recovers from her unfortunate ACL injury suffered this summer.”

Bonneville showed plenty of resilience last season, as they went from five wins in 2024 to 12 wins last year. Perhaps the best example came in the postseason.

After dropping both regular-season meetings against Region 5 opponent West Field, the Lakers went on the road in the playoffs and flipped the script, outlasting the Longhorns 59-51 to advance to the second round. The victory gave Bonneville’s returning players valuable postseason experience and a taste of succeeding with their season on the line.

Mylie Meira

“I’m excited about this season’s group of girls,” Coach Caine said. “We return 5 girls who got quality varsity reps and time last season: Mylie Miera (Senior), Madilynn Degroot (Senior), Brielle Francom (Senior), Brynlee Needham (Senior), and Bailey Webb (Soph). We’re extremely confident that this group will sustain momentum and continue to move our program in a positive direction. They are a cohesive unit, they are skilled, and they play hard/smart/and together on both ends of the floor. They have bought in to our culture, I just love watching them play and they are a super fun group to be around.”

That returning group gives the Lakers an experienced foundation to build around.

Miera has appeared in 44 career varsity games and brings experience, shooting, and grit to the backcourt. DeGroot, an accomplished multi-sport athlete, brings athleticism to Bonneville’s front line and has more than 40 varsity games under her belt.

Francom, who also served as a Laker tennis team captain this year, will look to take on a larger role on the basketball court this winter. Needham provides another experienced presence in the backcourt. A proven defender with extensive varsity experience, she will have the chance to expand her impact on the offensive end.

Brynlee Needham

Then there’s Webb, the group’s youngest player. After taking on significant varsity minutes as a freshman, the sophomore enters the season as one of the Lakers’ most intriguing players to watch, and she could be poised for a breakout year.

Beyond the established returners, one of the biggest questions entering the season is which of Bonneville’s younger players will emerge and seize the available varsity minutes.

“I’m looking for girls who are bought in to the culture and want to play the right way – hard, smart, and together,” Coach Caine said. “We obviously have some varsity rotational minutes and bench spots up for grabs, and we have some basketball quality within our younger ranks who will be competing for those spots. I’m excited to watch them compete and prove they have the right skill, mindset, and attitude to earn one of those coveted spots.”

With an experienced senior core, promising young talent, and the confidence gained from last season’s postseason success, the Lakers enter 2026-27 looking to take another step forward. Replacing Jimenez on the floor will be a challenge. Still, Bonneville has a group of veterans accustomed to competing together and an opportunity for several new faces to carve out meaningful roles.

For Coach Caine and the Lakers, continued growth will depend on the same qualities the program wants to define its basketball: playing hard, smart, and together.

photos courtesy of James Tate