Hoopfest Utah Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It's back again! Hoopfest is in town and there is going to be a lot of talent in the building. Last year a lot of lucky spectators were able to watch players like Cooper Flagg suit up. Let's take a look at this years teams, matchups and players to watch. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Matchups</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Monday</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alta vs. Lone Peak</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Great local matchup between two teams that have major potential. Lone Peak will get back [player_tooltip player_id='1146663' first='Ike' last='Staley'] which gives them more height and shooting. You would think they would have enough shooting with [player_tooltip player_id='1316136' first='Jackson' last='Taylor'] alone. This kid can let it fly. A young player to watch in this one is [player_tooltip player_id='1724365' first='Crew' last='Fotheringham'], he has length and 3-level play making ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Alta has an entire team approach for sure but they have players like [player_tooltip player_id='1278438' first='Dash' last='Reiser'] that can get hot and not cool down. Zak Paepke has been solid and he continues to get better. Hayden Anderson is an athlete that you need to respect and he could have a big game in this one.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wasatch Academy vs. Montverde Academy (FL)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Great game last year but both teams look different, especially Wasatch Academy as they have added a few pieces. Notable piece that was added was [player_tooltip player_id='1278435' first='Junior' last='County']. County is a local kid that has been raising his stock nationally. He will be joined by a healthy Isaiah Harwell who is among one of the best players in the country that will be heading to Houston next year. Katrelle Harmon and [player_tooltip player_id='1601997' first='Augustine' last='Ekwe'] are two more layers that will make impacts on the game. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Gabe Weis and Hudson Greer will e headliners but this team is loaded. They even picked up a solid freshman in Trace Lopez at 6'9 who will be a player to watch in the future. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tuesday</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wheeler (GA) vs. Timpview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Timpview is one pf those teams that has multiple dudes that can go off. A lot of attention will be on [player_tooltip player_id='1278448' first='Dean' last='Rueckert'] who is one of the best locally and in the country. His inside off the bounce attacking and range from deep will need to be on if they want to pull this one. A few players to watch in this one are [player_tooltip player_id='1278505' first='Mason' last='Ford'], this kid is calm under pressure and he will be instrumental in getting them into their offense. Will Openshaw and [player_tooltip player_id='1960161' first='Callen' last='Tollestrup'] will need to be big in this one as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wheeler has some dudes and Tylis Jordan who is heading to Ole Miss is a lengthy forward that will possess some challenges for Timpview. Colben Landrew is. 6'6 SG that has major talent and next level playing ability. Kota Suttle is a good 6'3 PG to watch as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wednesday</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Corner Canyon vs. Timpview</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a matchup that we need during the holidays. Being able to watch [player_tooltip player_id='1278448' first='Dean' last='Rueckert'] likely defend [player_tooltip player_id='1190621' first='Noah' last='Bendinger'] will only make each of them better. The otehr matchup between Aisa Galea'i and [player_tooltip player_id='1190620' first='Bryton' last='Valdes'] is another solid matchup. Two teams that are contenders get a great local game against each other. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Side note is that we get an early look at [player_tooltip player_id='1724355' first='Diesel' last='Dart'] and Mo Brown among others on that CCHS team we haven't seen in awhile. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->