From Flagstaff to Tucson: 4A Girls Preview

The 2025–26 4A girls basketball season is shaping up to be one of the deepest and most competitive in recent years. Flagstaff enters the year as the defending 4A champion after Coach Tyrone Johnson and the Eagles secured the title over Eastmark — their second championship in the last three seasons. What stands out with Flagstaff is culture and consistency. Sunshine Begoody, Carter Edison, and Lexi Neal headline a returning core that knows how to win. If they’re healthy and clicking, the Eagles will absolutely be in the mix again. Eastmark made its first-ever finals appearance last season, putting the rest of 4A on notice. Even with key departures, players like Ella LaFountain will keep the Firebirds competitive and dangerous. They won’t sneak up on anyone this time.

Cottonwood Mingus reached the Final Four last season, and senior forward Savannah Tobias gives them a matchup advantage almost every single night. Add in Brianka Villalobos, and Mingus has the toughness to push back into the late rounds. Prescott has the top returning scorer in the entire conference in Addie Prisciandaro, alongside senior standout Bella Abt, one of the most complete and skilled forwards in 4A. That 1–2 punch alone is going to force teams into game-planning mode every week.

Mesquite remains one of the premier programs in the state under Coach Candace Gonzales. Despite losing some firepower, their depth and structure keep them in championship conversations. Averi Mehlberg, Jensen Cowart, and Skylie Gonzales give the Wildcats one of the better trios in the conference. Mesquite doesn’t rebuild — they reload.

Cactus Shadows returns veteran guards Maddie Schultz and Mateja Cousins, forming one of the most experienced backcourts in 4A. Expect them to be in every game late.

Paradise Honors will also be loud in this race. Lizzy Guincho is one of the smoothest guards in the state, and Star Nwabichie gives the Panthers an inside presence that changes matchups. Southern Arizona has some noise makers, too. Salpointe Catholic is coming off an Open Division quarterfinal appearance and brings back a balanced, disciplined roster led by Jayci Nelson, Aryanna Kollasch, and Abuk Lual. Coach Joe Luevano has done an excellent job of preparing the young talent for when their opportunity comes. They’ll be a factor — again. Mica Mountain hits the season after a 21-win campaign. Even with the loss of Isabella Webb, the duo of Amaris Biancuzzo and Ne’Vaeh Verette keeps the Thunderbolts firmly in contention. Walden Grove is a sleeper. They return their top two scorers, led by high-motor guard Angel Amarillas, and could easily play spoiler for someone late in the year. Thunderbird returns 5 of its top 6 scorers, including Isabella Illingworth, giving the Titans continuity and real upside. This should be another fun season in the 4A conference.

Players to Watch (Alphabetical Order)

• Abuk Lual – Salpointe Catholic

• Addie Prisciandaro – Prescott

• Amaris Biancuzzo – Mica Mountain

• Angel Amarillas – Walden Grove

• Aryanna Kollasch – Salpointe Catholic

• Averi Mehlberg – Mesquite

• Bella Abt – Prescott

• Brianka Villalobos – Mingus

• Brookelyn Pack – Crismon

• Carter Edison – Flagstaff

• Ella LaFountain – Eastmark

• Isabella Illingworth – Thunderbird

• Jayci Nelson – Salpointe Catholic

• Jensen Cowart – Mesquite

• Lexi Neal – Flagstaff

• Lizzy Guincho – Paradise Honors

• Maddie Schultz – Cactus Shadows

• Maisy Trice-Byrd – Deer Valley

• Mateja Cousins – Cactus Shadows

• Mia Wolfe – Deer Valley

• Ne’Vaeh Verette – Mica Mountain

• Nemo Sidhu – Estrella Foothills

• Savannah Tobias – Cottonwood Mingus

• Serinity Hampton – Ironwood Ridge

• Skylie Gonzales – Mesquite

• Star Nwabichie – Paradise Honors

• Sunshine Begoody – Flagstaff