The New Realignment: 4A, 5A & 6A Way Too Early Preview
Every three years we have a realignment that is conducted by the UHSAA mainly due to the increase in enrollment as well as the decrease in enrollment at some school. It still makes no sense to add a new classification in my opinion. They should have just kept the top 3 teams as automatic bids in each classification and made them larger and chosen the best at-large teams in each classification based on resume.
Here is a way too early look at next years teams and way too early ranking.
4A
- Juan Diego
- Orem
- Salem Hills
- Sky View
- Dixie
Region 9: Canyon View, Cedar, Desert Hills, Dixie, Hurricane, Pine View, Snow Canyon
New region same suspects in Dixie, Pine View and Desert Hills. These three teams will compete like they have in the past years for a state title.
Region 10: Lehi, Mountain View, Orem, Payson, Salem Hills, Spanish Fork, Uintah
Orem had a great run last year and they have a young core group of players. We look forward to watching Salem Hills and Orem go head to head.
Region 11: Ben Lomond, Bonneville, Juan Diego, Ogden, Park City, Stansbury, Tooele
Juan Diego needs to make room n the rafters for another Region Championship and maybe a State Title. It would be shocking if the Eagles lose a game in this region.
Region 12: Bear River, Green Canyon, Logan, Mountain Crest, Ridgeline, Sky View
Region 12 will be a very competitive region lead by Sky View who seems to groom their athletes very well. The question will be is Ridgeline will have enough to compete like they did this year. Logan and Bear River will be much improved.
Players to watch:
2018 6’4 G Brantzen Blackner (Desert Hills), 2018 6’1 G Jared Bagley (Logan), 2019 6’2 G Ignacio Arroyo (Juan Diego), 2018 6’6 F Jason Ricketts (Juan Diego), 2019 6’2 G Puka Nacua (Orem), 2018 6’4 G James Nelson (Salem Hills), 2020 6’1 G Mason Falslev (Sky View)
5A:
- Olympus
- Timpview
- Timpanogos
- Corner Canyon
- Maple Mountain
Region 5: Bountiful, Box Elder, Roy, Viewmont, Woods Cross
Life without Trevin Knewll could b tough for Woods Cross. Viewmont might be the best team in this region as Bountiful continues to rebuild. Look forward to a Viewmont vs. Box Elder match-up.
Region 6: East, Highland, Murray, Olympus, Skyline, West
Olympus lost a hear breaker this year but Rylan Jones and Jeremy DowDell return with added fire to return to the “Ship” They should go untouched in this region. The battle for 2nd will be wide open. Look forward to watchinh Highland’s Shelton and East’s Frazier go at it.
Region 7: Alta, Brighton, Corner Canyon, Cottonwood, Jordan, Timpview
Hunter Erickson and Timpview look to avenge another disappointing season. Corner Canyon and Jordan pose the biggest threats to stifle the T-Birds.
Region 8: Maple Mountain, Provo, Skyridge, Springville, Timpanogos, Wasatch
This region will feature some great games. The defending champs have a bit of a rivalry going with Maple Mountain. Skyridge and Timpanogos will also be good teams and look to compete in an region that is wide open.
Players to watch:
2018 6’3 G hunter Erickson (Timpview), 2019 6’0 PG Rylan Jones (Olympus), 2018 6’4 G Max Watson (Box Elder), 2018 6’8 F Elijah Shelton (Highland), 2018 6’2 G Jeremy DowDell (Olympus), 2018 6’5 G Josh Christensen (Jordan)
6A
- Pleasant Grove
- Lone Peak
- American Fork
- Bingham
- Copper Hills
Region 1: Clearfield, Davis, Fremont, Layton, Northridge, Syracuse, Weber
This could turn into a competitive region that features up and coming teams in Davis, Fremont and Layton. Syracuse and Weber always battle teams.
Region 2: Cyprus, Granger, Hillcrest, Hunter, Kearns
One of the most depleted regions in the state will have Kearns as a favorite with sharpshooter David Andrew. Hillcrest will build off of this years season were they exceeded all expectations. Hunter also has some athletes on their team that will enable them to compete in this region.
Region 3: Copper Hills, Herriman, Riverton, Taylorsville, West Jordan
Copper Hills and West Jordan seem to be the early favorites. The other three teams will have a legit shot at making the playoffs again. Taylorsville is much improved and Herriman and Riverton are in a region they can compete in.
Region 4: American Fork, Bingham, Lone Peak, Pleasant Grove, Westlake
Westlake looks like they will be on the outside looking in. Every game will be a battle in the region of death. Lone Peak and AF bring back the most fire-power. If their rivalry wasn’t already intense it will get more heated on the hardwood. Although Bingham looses a lot this year, nobody is worried about the athletes and players that walk around on that campus.
Players to watch:
2019 6’7 W Isaac Johnson (American Fork), 2018 6’0 G Stephen Ashworth (Lone Peak), 2019 7’3 C Matt Van Komen (Pleasant Grove), 2019 6’0 G Casey Brown (Pleasant Grove), 2018 6’7 F Jackson Brinkerhoff (Lone Peak), 2019 6’0 G J.L Vaughn (Herriman), 2018 6’4 G Darrian Nebeker (West Jordan), 2018 6’5 SG David Andrew (Kearns)