4A Sweet 16 Preview
The 4A Season started with the likely hood of having Olympus repeat at State Champion, then they lost 2 games in the span of 3 days and people thought that they were done. Since then the Titans have won 18…
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Continue ReadingThe 4A Season started with the likely hood of having Olympus repeat at State Champion, then they lost 2 games in the span of 3 days and people thought that they were done. Since then the Titans have won 18 games in a row. It is highly likely that they will win 22 games in a row but Timpview, Timpanogos along with Woods Cross stand in their way.
Sweet 16: Game to Watch
Bountiful vs. Corner Canyon – The game 1 rematch is set as Corner Canyon got the best of Bountiful in the first game of the season
Corner Canyon has two talented guards in Michael Scheffner and Zach Wilson. In their 1st match up they combined for 42 points in a 10 point win. Don’t expect anything different from this duo but the Chargers will need Ammon Jenson to be ready to give the Chargers that third option in order to pull off this win.
Bountiful started the season off with 9 straight losses but somehow managed to make it to the playoffs with a 9-14 record and a 2 seed. The Braves are going to have to slow it down and feed 7’0 C Ryan Pollard if they want to have a shot at avenging their early loss.
Prediction: This should be an exciting match-up because it is a rematch game. We give the slight edge to Corner Canyon.
Sweet 16: Upset Special
Orem vs. Woods Cross
Woods Cross has been a top 5 team in the state all year. They are led by sharp shooter and Cal signee Trevin Knell, they’re also riding a 12 game win streak. Trevor Trost is also capable of going off and taking Woods Cross to another level. Woods Cross has the ability of reaching the state final but every game is going to be a battle and playing in a big arena could be a problem for one of the best shooters in the state.
Orem on the other hand doesn’t depend on the 3-point shot as much even though they have Ross Reeves who can hit the deep ball at a high percentage. 2019 Puka Nacua has big game ability and could be a problem for Woods Cross. 2018 6’8 Taylor Hockersmith is going to have to have a big game if they want to pull off an upset.
Prediction: It will be a battle of who can control the paint. We will go out on a limb and pick Orem with the huge upset.
Sweet 16: Matchups
Hillcrest vs. Salem Hills – Hillcrest started the season off hot winning 9 of 10 and ended the season winning 6 of 11. Hillcrest needs to go back to the basics to avoid an upset. The Huskies are led by 2017 Stockton Ashby who leads the team in scoring, rebounds and assist. The Huskies have 5 other players that can score in double figures which make them a dangerous team. Salem Hills has a weapon in 2018 James Nelson who is putting up 21 ppg. Nelson might have to go off for 30 plus in order to pick up an upset win (he has six 30+ games this year). If Hillcrest can hold Nelson under 25 they should pick up the win.
Timpview vs. Highland – Timpview has an impressive schedule with two tough losses. Timpview is led by 2018 Hunter Erickson who is one of the best 2018 players in the state. Adam Santiago and Jordan Sagers complete the Thunderbird trio that will be hard to stop. Higland played a poor pre-season schedule that will hurt them against Timpview. 2018 6’8 Elijah Shelton will have to have the game of his life if he wants to help the Rams move on. Timpview by 15+.
Springville vs Skyline – Springville played a very competitive schedule as they played the likes of Pleasant Grove, Kearns and a few out of state schools to prepare for a run with a very competitive group of players. The Red Devils are led by Josh Ellison who is a very efficient PG. Springville also has Andrew Slack a 6’5 250 lb. “Junk Yard Dawg” who is averaging 14 and 6. Skyline has been playing inconsistent basketball all year as they have racked up a few bad losses this year. Skyline enters the tournament on a 3 game skid. Skyline will need a big game from 2018 Nifai Tonga who is very capable of putting up 25+. Springville might be too much for Skyline in this one.
Murray vs Maple Mountain – Maple Mountain beat everyone they should’ve beaten this year. Tyler Boyak and Parker Christensen stretch the floor very well. The key could be Dawson Butler as they will face a undersized team. Murray won the play-in game against Kearns. Alec Vaughn and Taylor Peppinger will have to shoot above 50% to have a shot in this one. Maple Mountain will win but I wouldn’t anticipate a blowout.
Timpanogos vs. Ogden – Timpanogos has had a quietly good year in 4A. The T-Wolves have a lot of weapons but they have had consistent play all year from Dalten Stewart. Stewart does a little bit of everything for the T-Wolves. 6’3 2019 Matt Norman can flat out shoot the rock. Timpanogos has a team that can win it all. Ogden on the other hand has been one of the most improved teams in the state. Hunter Clarke and Jaxon Clarke have had excellent seasons but they will have to play out of their minds to pull this one out. Timpanogos should win by double digits.
Olympus vs. Wasatch – Olympus has a four-headed monster that will be almost impossible to stop. Wagstaff, Lindsey, Dodell and Jones should all go off in this one. Wasatch will need Eli Ballstead to be on fire, and he will need to be if he wants to keep it close. Jones was recently rakned inthe top 50 in the country for the class of 2019. This is a true Davis vs, Goliath match-up, Olympus big in this one.