The 2026-27 high school girls basketball season kicks off Tuesday, Nov. 17, with a distinct narrative of redemption dominating the landscape. According to the annual Deseret News preseason coaches rankings, four of last year’s six state tournament runner-ups have been elevated to the No. 1 spot in their respective classifications. Lone Peak (6A), Dixie (4A), Morgan (3A), and Rich (1A) enter the season as the consensus favorites, driven by the momentum of teams that fell short on the final day of the previous campaign. These squads now possess the experience and roster depth to convert their near-misses into hardware, setting a high bar for competition across the state.
Four former runners-up seek redemption as Utah’s 2026-27 season tips off Nov. 17
In the remaining divisions, continuity defines the outlook. Pleasant Grove (5A) and Kanab (2A) begin the season ranked No. 1 in their classifications, aiming for back-to-back state titles. While the other teams are chasing first-time victories or redemption, these two programs are tasked with defending their crowns against a field of hungry challengers. The coaches’ consensus reflects confidence in these rosters’ ability to maintain their dominance, suggesting that the 5A and 2A brackets may feature fewer upsets in the early rounds compared to the more volatile divisions where former runners-up are vying for supremacy.
The season runs through March 6, with venue logistics playing a strategic role for the top seeds. The 6A and 5A state tournaments will be hosted at Weber State University, while the 4A event takes place at Utah Valley University. The 3A and 1A championships will be decided at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield, and the 2A title game will conclude at Southern Utah University in Cedar City. As the season progresses, these venues will serve as the ultimate test for the preseason favorites, determining whether the redemption arcs of Lone Peak, Dixie, Morgan, and Rich materialize or if the defending champions of Pleasant Grove and Kanab secure their legacy.
Source: Yahoo Sports
