<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>What a season across the board, and although some of the top-seeded teams to start the season did not make it all the way through, it was because we had some unreal performances from some teams. The UHSAA Basketball Tournament is the best for that reason; anything can happen. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#1 Westlake</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Westlake displayed a strong team mentality and was constructed to make a late-season push. Role players like [player_tooltip player_id='1724364' first='Malik' last='Sika'] and Simon Su'a consistently contributed, while [player_tooltip player_id='1476918' first='Graydin' last='Anderson'], Linclon Norwood, and Brody Thompson also made significant impacts.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#2 Olympus</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>It's hard to imagine Olympus without [player_tooltip player_id='1278502' first='Gavin' last='Lowe'] there. He brought it all to the table, and everyone was ready to run alongside him on the journey to another state championship. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#3 Bingham</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Bingham defied expectations as the darkhorse in 6A, making it all the way to the final. [player_tooltip player_id='3462123' first='Luke' last='West'] had an outstanding playoff run and career, and the Miners also benefited from strong performances from [player_tooltip player_id='1493311' first='Parker' last='Snedaker'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2477808' first='Owen' last='Bagley'].</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#4 American Fork</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The Bryce Mellla and [player_tooltip player_id='2089441' first='Jax' last='Clark'] era comes to a close, and AF was tough in every aspect of the game. While their two stars depart, more stars will emerge as they always do at AF. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#5 Bountiful</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>What a run for Bountiful this season. Under first-year head coach Brett Hewlett, players like Linclon Smith came alive, along with Wyatt Crane and [player_tooltip player_id='1439713' first='Davey' last='Howe']. The team's performance was a testament to Hewlett's coaching abilities and the players' dedication and hard work.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#6 Highland</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Highland had a plethora of weapons this year in [player_tooltip player_id='1278450' first='Isaiah' last='Drisdom'], [player_tooltip player_id='1598266' first='Jordan' last='Oberholtzer'], and Soren Reis, to name a few. They are one of the schools loaded with next-level talent.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#7 Timpview</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Timpview was nationally ranked at one point, but fell to an upset-minded team. [player_tooltip player_id='1278448' first='Dean' last='Rueckert'] and Will Openshaw will conclude their high school careers but will reunite at BYU.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#8 Mountain Ridge</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Mountain Ridge is building a contender for sure out there on the west side. [player_tooltip player_id='2450680' first='Jordan' last='Horsley'] is a must-watch player who can absolutely shoot the ball. [player_tooltip player_id='3281425' first='Dylan' last='Hatton'] is a true next-level point guard who has a big-time motor and knows how to get to the free-throw line.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#9 Lehi</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1724360' first='Ashton' last='Shewell'] and Avery Tuk Howe come back, and that might be one of the best duos coming this coming season. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#10 Lone Peak</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Lone Peak has a duo of its own that had a great year and is coming back next season in [player_tooltip player_id='1724367' first='Saxon' last='Young'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1724365' first='Crew' last='Fotheringham']. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#11 Layton</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1724368' first='Karter' last='Miller'] will be back, and he is our pick for the player who will likely lead the state in scoring this coming season. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#12 Wasatch</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Wastach had a solid run this seasona nd they got to showcase a few of their underrated players like [player_tooltip player_id='1786751' first='JJ' last='Serre'] and [player_tooltip player_id='3517480' first='Caleb' last='Balch']. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#13 Davis</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Davis showcased a team with considerable talent. Players like [player_tooltip player_id='1611276' first='Bode' last='Sparrow'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2539677' first='Cameron' last='Brower'] were among the top performers. [player_tooltip player_id='1278451' first='JT' last='Turley'] notably elevated his game to a new level. Keep an eye on the emerging young players who will get their chance to contribute next season.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#14 Springville</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Springville had a three-headed monster in [player_tooltip player_id='1278439' first='Jamyn' last='Sondrup'], [player_tooltip player_id='1278449' first='Mason' last='Hansen'], and [player_tooltip player_id='1724426' first='Swift' last='Hall']. This trio all has next-level talent. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#15 Morgan</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='2388587' first='Bracken' last='Saunders'] might go down as one of the best high school players in Morgan School History if he hasn't already. Caped off with a state championship. Morgan has some talent on that roster. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#16 Provo</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1598259' first='Makai' last='Allen'] will be fun to watch at the college level. Crazy to think that he is likely just going to get better. One of the top sleeper prospects in the class has to be Collen Tollestrup. This kid can ball. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#17 Herriman</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The Carloo Mulford era ends in Herriman, and his time at Herriman was legendary. He will be playing next at CSI, and it looks like they got themselves a steal. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#18 Farmington</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Farmington might be the team that returns the most impactful lineup as a whole this coming season. [player_tooltip player_id='2218132' first='Malakai' last='Tobler'] is the real deal at PG. Look for this team to make noise this summer, and they might be the pre-season #1. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#19 Dixie</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Dixie's [player_tooltip player_id='2148482' first='Collin' last='Simmons'] and [player_tooltip player_id='2460889' first='Asher' last='Spence'] shined this season, and the program maintains its reputation for developing college-ready talent. Their strong performance contributed to a successful year for the team.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#20 Alta</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='2131820' first='Krew' last='Eckman'] coming out party, as he was one of the most exciting players to watch this past season. Look for Alta to continue to build. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#21 Woods Cross</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Woods Cross had one of the best seasons in recent memory, showcasing excellent team play and fluid ball movement. Standout performances came from [player_tooltip player_id='2380893' first='Elliot' last='Bendinger'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1724359' first='Madden' last='Johnsen']. Can't forget a player like [player_tooltip player_id='1959042' first='Bryson' last='Watson'].</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#22 Hurricane</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>What a season for the Tigers. This team might be the surprise team of the year, and it was a [player_tooltip player_id='2538798' first='Brigham' last='Kemp']-led squad. This kid can ball!</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#23 Timpanogos</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='1966069' first='Jaxen' last='McCuistion'] is one of the best players in all of 4A. He did a great job this season and is going to be a solid player at the college level.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#24 Orem</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>[player_tooltip player_id='2306605' first='Simeon' last='Suguturaga'] showcased significant growth over the past two years, evolving from a player with potential to a standout, and is now headed to The University of Utah. Keep an eye on Troy Kauifusi, as he's a player to watch in the future.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#25 American Heritage</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>American Heritage is a fun team to watch. They had [player_tooltip player_id='2422947' first='Jackson' last='Black'] running the point this season and James Matson sure came alive. [player_tooltip player_id='3471740' first='Josue' last='Kajinga'] is the name to know moving forward. </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Others: Cyprus, Pine View, Sky View, Richfield, Cottonwood</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Non-UHSAA Teams</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#1 Wasatch</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#2 Layton Christian </p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>#3 Utah Prep</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
What a season across the board, and although some of the top-seeded teams to start the season did not make it all the way through, it was because we had some unreal performances from some teams. The UHSAA Basketball Tournament is the best for that reason; anything can happen.
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue Reading
Already a subscriber?
Log in