while you said 9, i'm going to suggest 7 with clans Wolf, Jade Falcon, and Smoke Jaguars being given 2 grids to conquer while the Nova Cats and Ghost Bears each get one, and the Diamond Sharks and Steel Vipers have to share theirs.
Wolf gets 2B and 2C
Jade Falcon gets 2A and 3A
Smoke Jaguars...