Rankings Update: 5A

<p>Below are the rankings for 5A as we end January. While this is a competitive group, Olympus still leads the way.</p> <h2>1. Olympus</h2> <p>Olympus is in fact mortal. After an undefeated season in which they managed to beat every opponent, except for Bingham, by 10 points or more, it looked as though Olympus might never lose while under the leadership of <strong>Rylan Jones </strong>and <strong>Jeremy DowDell</strong>.</p> <p>While they lost by 1 to arguably the top team in 6A, Pleasant Grove, and lost to another one of the top teams in 6A in Bingham by 4, they have played very solid basketball. In fact, since losing to Bingham, they have won 11 of their past 13 games by a minimum of 10 points.</p> <p>One of the biggest questions was who would step up due to the lose of so many key contributors from last year’s team and the answer appears to be more Jones and DowDell at this point. The two are combining for nearly 50 points per game. Further, Jones is nearly at 8 rebounds and 8 assists per game.</p> <p>DowDell, on the other hand, is averaging nearly 30 points per game and scoring the basketball at an extremely high level of efficiency. </p> <p>The key to beating Olympus is limiting Jones and DowDell. That is a lot easier said than done. Until someone in the 5A world gives them a close game, this team looks like the clear cut favorite to win the state title once again.</p> <h2>2. Skyridge</h2> <p>Skyridge has made the leaps that I expected they would make with <strong>Trevon Snoddy </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="543090" first="Duncan" last="Reid"] </strong>returning. Snoddy and Reid look like the second most impactful duo in 5A.</p> <p>Snoddy and Reid provide the team with consistent scoring on the perimeter and in the paint. Both of these guys have demonstrated that they are more than capable of dominating a game.</p> <p>Further, this team has solid role players as <strong>Joe White </strong>facilitates and gets his teammates involved at a high level. Moreover, <strong>Braden Allfrey </strong>provides the team with another workhorse who gets after it on the glass and finishes well in the paint while being a capable shooter from deep.</p> <p>While Olympus is the leading candidate, Skyridge has played well enough to put themselves at number 2 at this point.</p> <h2>3. Bountiful</h2> <p>Bountiful has played one of the toughest schedules out of any time in 5A. Further, they have won some big games with their biggest win being over Lone Peak. This group, like many of the groups on this list, has multiple prospects who are capable of making an impact which is what makes them extremely tough to defend.</p> <p>Conventional wisdom would have been that <strong>Brig Williard </strong>would be the leading scorer for the team due to him playing that role last year. However, while he is still playing a huge role for the team, Bountiful has shifted is scoring focus to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="543036" first="Cameron" last="Chism"]. </strong>Moreover, Williard has taken on more of a facilitator role who is putting these skilled prospects in spots where they can be successful.</p> <p>Chism is one of the top shooters in the state. He can let it fly with the best of them. Further, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="755611" first="Robert" last="Whaley"] </strong>has played at an extremely high level and is a mismatch nightmare for opposing teams.</p> <p>Further, <strong>Isaac Kime </strong>and <strong>David Stevenson </strong>are the X-Factors for this team. While their scoring might not be where the others are at, both provide guys who can get their teammates involved in spots where they can have success.</p> <h2>4. Timpanogoes</h2> <p>Timpanogoes’ biggest win is without a doubt over Bingham. In addition to beating Bingham, the group has played many other high caliber teams and been in close games, with one of those being a 10 point lose to Skyridge.</p> <p>Timpanogoes is dangerous. They have multiple prospects who are capable of making plays and impacting the game. However, <strong>Matt Norman </strong>has been without a doubt the most consistent prospect for the team.</p> <p>He is smooth and can score the basketball in a multitude of ways, including being a knockdown shooter from deep. While Norman is their most consistent prospect, Timpanogoes has a couple of other weapons who can make an impact.</p> <p>One of those weapons is <strong>Colin Christensen</strong>, who is another more than capable shooter. Further, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="755544" first="Trey" last="Anderson"] </strong>and <strong>Riley Curtis </strong>add in spreading the floor as well.</p> <p>This group takes pride in shooting with basketball a high percentage from deep and playing defense. A recipe that can be dangerous for opposing teams in a one and down format.</p> <h2>5. Woods Cross</h2> <p>This was a toss up between Jordan and Corner Canyon with Woods Cross prevailing due to less losses and wins over West Jordan and Skyridge. Woods Cross has been quite improved in comparison to their success last year.</p> <p>This team is led by a balanced scoring attack from their trio of <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="755541" first="Tyler" last="Roberts"], [player_tooltip player_id="755542" first="Jake" last="Howe"]</strong>, and <strong>Brant Jerman</strong>. Roberts dominates the paint and the glass while Howe is a knockdown shooter from deep.</p> <p>Further, Jerman is a solid prospect who can score the basketball from an array of spots on the court. This team has the potential to make some noise in postseason play.</p>