GWC: New Look Teams to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With over 60 teas from allover Utah and a few teams from out of state and out of the country the Great Western Classic has been a staple here in Utah to help teams improve before the season gets started. Let's take a look at some of the teams to watch and a few matchups as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"fontSize":"medium"} --> <p class="has-medium-font-size"><strong>New Look Teams</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>These 5 times are teams we are excited to watch as they all have one thing in common and that is a new coach at the helm. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pleasant Grove </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Last season PG probably broke a state record for most 3-pointers attempted as they played fast and up and down and played maybe 15 players. This season will be different as they look to have a reasonable rotation. [player_tooltip player_id='2125357' first='Brennan' last='Blackett'] in a PG uniform has been nice. He has shooting ability and length and as he gets stronger he could be a really solid young piece over there. [player_tooltip player_id='2536865' first='Andrew' last='Anderson'] is a player we are excited to see hit the floor because the kid can shoot. He could average 4 three-pointers a game, which would put him close to 100 in a season and with more consistent minutes on the floor it is capable. [player_tooltip player_id='2451530' first='Clay' last='Hansen'] is another kid that could have a breakout season. [player_tooltip player_id='1978893' first='Milo' last='Johansson'] is another prospect that will be much improved. This team is actually nice. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Copper Hills</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Copper Hills looks to have a bounce back year. They posted an 8-16 record despite having one of the premier scorers in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1771527' first='Isaiah' last='Reiser']. Reiser put up 20 PPG and this season could be the same. He could be. player that scores a ton and assist a ton off of his play creating. Excited to see what [player_tooltip player_id='1630898' first='Wesley' last='Curtis'] has done to help his stock because he is a lanky kid with potential. He is 6'7 and he can shoot the ball from deep. If him and Reiser are in the pick n' roll or in any actions it could be trouble. Look out for [player_tooltip player_id='1942253' first='Boston' last='Lambourne'] as well, he is a player that is on the rise. Many new names will emerge on this team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Murray</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> Last season Murray went 18-7 and had a solid schedule. They were led by [player_tooltip player_id='1439714' first='Isaiah' last='Beh'] who is back for his senior season and the do it SF is better than you think. He has been consistent and always impactful even when he is not scoring. Murray beat Highland and PG last season and lost to eventual state champion LCA by 5 points where Beh had 20 points. They will need a lot more out of players like [player_tooltip player_id='2022325' first='Anthony' last='Burris'] who is young but skilled. [player_tooltip player_id='1329807' first='Ethan' last='Davies'] will be providing some much needed size on a team with skilled guards. [player_tooltip player_id='2541084' first='Kaiden' last='Nelson'] could be a player that makes a bigger impact this season, especially with his shooting. [player_tooltip player_id='1278503' first='Blayke' last='Chand'] could also have a breakout year. [player_tooltip player_id='1571763' first='Treyce' last='Wilson'] will make up that scoring duo with Beh. This is an exciting team that will have a new look and they they have done so well in the past few years that they should hit the ground running. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>East</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Leopards look to be much improved from last season. [player_tooltip player_id='2428865' first='Jace' last='Schneider'] will be one of the players that could help them make some moves. Schneider at lead guard will need to continue what he did last season but at a higher volume. He shot the ball well and played solid defense. He could be a much improved player from last season. Logan Lunt will likely join him in the backcourt as another guard that can handle the ball and score from the outside. Last season they were 9-15 and they could be better than last season. East plays in a region where there are no guaranteed wins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Riverton</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not much to complain about as last season Riverton beat all the teams they should have beaten. They went 17-8 and a huge win over Lone Peak in the playoffs. They return a solid PG in [player_tooltip player_id='1316006' first='Evan' last='Berrett'] who plays with a lot of poise and you can see that he reads the defense as he makes decisions with the ball in his hands. He has a quick first step and he is not easily sped up. With 5 players moving on due to graduation it will allow a lot of players to step up. on eof those players is Ryker Kerekes he has good size (6'4) and he is a slasher that can hurt you from the outside if you allow him too much space. [player_tooltip player_id='2112604' first='Collin' last='Fackrell'] could be a player that steps up this season. [player_tooltip player_id='2245389' first='Blake' last='Robbins'] is another player that could easily pick up some of that scoring load as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lehi</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I will tell you right now, NOBODY is sleeping on Lehi. They are coming off of a State Championship in 6A and they have been stockpiling talent in every class. [player_tooltip player_id='1164729' first='Easton' last='Hawkins'] is as good a guard as any in the state. He has D1 talent for sure. Hawkins put up 16 PPG, 5 RPG, 2 APG and the way he can move and play without the ball in his hands is impressive. [player_tooltip player_id='1724360' first='Ashton' last='Shewell'], if you do not know this name you need to because he is the real deal and he can score from all three-levels and he is hungry. He plays with a high motor on both ends of the floor. Big fan of [player_tooltip player_id='2460963' first='Cole' last='Welch'] at PG because he plays with a little bit of flare. You have players like Saxton Young and [player_tooltip player_id='2471090' first='Peyton' last='Hawkins'] who can also step up and produce. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->