Head Coach: Lisa Dalebout

2025-26 Record: 22-4 overall, 12-0 Region 5

Region 5 champions, 5A quarterfinals

The Fremont Silverwolves won’t be sneaking up on anyone this season.

After rolling through Region 5 with a perfect 12-0 record and finishing 22-4 overall a year ago, Fremont enters the 2026-27 season with the pieces in place to be among the state’s elite teams again.

The defending region champions return an experienced core from a squad that reached the 5A quarterfinals and finished the season ranked No. 3 in Class 5A.

At the center of it all is senior standout Abby Christensen.

The Deseret News 5A First Team All-State selection returns after averaging a team-high 19.2 points per game last season and has already committed to continue her basketball career at Brigham Young University. Christensen gives head coach Lisa Dalebout a proven scorer to build around, but one reason for optimism at Fremont is that the Silverwolves are far from a one-player team.

Sophomore Ellie McArthur made an immediate impact as a freshman, leading the team with 8.1 rebounds per game while earning First Team All-Region honors. With a year of varsity experience under her belt, Ellie McArthur’s continued development could give Fremont another difference-maker in the paint.

Senior Brynn Wadman stretches opposing defenses with her perimeter shooting after averaging 8.1 points per game and earning Second Team All-Region honors a season ago. Senior guard Mia McArthur directed the offense, averaging 3.2 assists per contest and earning Honorable Mention All-Region recognition, while fellow senior Mia Smith brings veteran leadership and defensive toughness.

Guards Jersie Slater and Daphnie Moyes also return to a group that blends experience, athleticism and chemistry.

“I think what makes this group work so well together is that they understand each other’s strengths and are willing to play for one another,” Coach Dalebout said. “We have a good mix of experience, leadership, athleticism and different skill sets that complement each other. These girls have played a lot of basketball together, and that familiarity helps with their chemistry and trust on the floor.”

Jersie Slater

Building a defensive identity

Despite all the returning offensive firepower, Dalebout believes the Silverwolves’ success this season will be rooted in their defensive work.

“We want to establish ourselves as a strong defensive team, rebound consistently and play unselfish basketball,” Coach Dalebout said. “We know every season brings a different group and new challenges, so we focus on getting better every day, playing together and building the consistency and discipline it takes to compete at a high level.”

Coach Dalebout sees this year’s identity centered around many of the same traits that fueled last season’s championship run.

“I think our identity will be built around tough, disciplined defense, rebounding and communication,” Coach Dalebout said. “We want to be a team that plays hard, competes on every possession and is difficult to play against.”

Abby Christensen

Embracing the target

Success brings heightened expectations, and the Silverwolves understand they will get every opponent’s best effort this winter.

After an unbeaten run through Region 5 and a trip to the state quarterfinals, Fremont enters the season carrying the pressure that accompanies being the defending champions. Coach Dalebout has challenged her players to embrace that responsibility rather than rely on last year’s accomplishments.

“Every year is a new opportunity, and we have to be willing to put in the work to earn that success again,” Coach Dalebout said. “We try to create a competitive environment in practice where the girls are constantly pushing themselves and each other to improve. We emphasize the little things: effort, communication, discipline and attention to detail.”

Fremont will also need new leaders to emerge following the graduation of team captains and emotional leaders Lily Hall and Maya Jensen, whose toughness and energy helped define last year’s team.

“Lily and Maya brought a level of toughness, energy and leadership that was a huge part of our success last year,” Coach Dalebout said. “Those are tough qualities to replace, but we have several girls who are capable of stepping into those roles. We’ve challenged our returning players to be more vocal, hold each other accountable and bring that same competitive mentality every day.”

The Silverwolves have the star power, experience and chemistry necessary to make another deep postseason run. The challenge now is proving that last season’s success was only the beginning.

If Fremont can establish the defensive identity Coach Dalebout envisions while leaning on a veteran core led by Christensen, Wadman, Mia and Ellie McArthur, and Smith, the Silverwolves will once again find themselves among the favorites in Class 5A.

photos courtesy of James Tate