Way Too Early Rankings: 5A
5A has a number of teams with returning talent who should be excited about their potential for the upcoming season. With that said, there is not question that the 5A state title runs through Olympus. However, there are a couple of teams with pieces that could make this repeat championship more difficult for Olympus than it was in the past.
Way Too Early Rankings: 5A
1. Olympus
This pick is far from a surprise, I am sure. While Olympus did lose a couple of key role players, they bring back arguably the best backcourt in the state, and one of the top in the nation, in Jeremy DowDell and Rylan Jones. These two can fill it up in a hurry and are ready to for another outstanding season and a title run. The biggest concern for Olympus will without a doubt be who will surround DowDell and Jones. While they will need to answer this question, it will be nice to be able to rely on these two top tier prospects while they find the answer.
2. Corner Canyon
Corner Canyon returns its two leading scorers, leader in assists, and leader in rebounds from last season. Gabe Toombs is in two of those categories as the versatile prospect led the team in scoring and rebounds. Hayden Welling was second in scoring and rebounds. Between these two prospects, it is safe to say that Corner Canyon will win the vast majority of the rebounding battles. In addition to Toombs and Welling, Corner Canyon will rely heavily on John Mitchell to be a knockdown shooter who facilitates for the team. Mitchell led the team in assists last year. While it is unlikely that anyone other than Olympus will win it all, Corner Canyon seems to have the best shot.
3. Jordan
It is not out of the realm of possibility that Jordan can contend for the state title. As stated earlier, it will be hard to knock off Olympus. However, Jordan figures to be a match-up nightmare for everyone in 5A. Terryn Mosley, Dyson Frank, and Dyson Koehler provide unmatched size in 5A. All three prospects are versatile and can impact the game in an array of ways. If the guard play of Jordan is solid, this group has a legitimate case to be the 5A state champion by the end of the season.
4. Timpanogoes
While Timpanogoes lost a lot of talent from last year’s team, they bring back some key pieces and guys who are bought into the system. Matt Norman will lead the team without a doubt. He is strong and has improved his ability to get into the paint. Further, he is a good shooter from deep. In addition to Norman, Timpanogoes has a number of prospects who are bought into their role and ready to compete at a high level.
5. Bountiful
Bountiful made a late run that resulted in them playing in the 5A final four last year and bring back a good portion of their team. They have a well built team with guards who can get into the paint and shoot from deep. Further, Robert Whaley is extremely versatile and a mismatch nightmare despite his youth. Cameron Chism is one of the best shooters in the state. Moreover, the team returns their leading scorer in Brig Willard and one of the best guards at getting into the passing lanes in Isaac Kime.