Tournament Preview: Utah Elite 8
The Utah Elite 8 features some of the top teams in the state. The tournament will kick off on Thursday, December 7 and conclude on Saturday December 9 with a champion. The tournament is held at American Fork High School. Click here more information about the Utah Elite 8 tournament or for brackets.
Tournament Preview: Utah Elite 8
Top Four: Davis vs. Corner Canyon and Olympus vs. Bingham
The top half of the bracket has more intriguing match-ups. It features last year’s 5A state champion, Bingham; the 4A State Runner-up, Olympus; and a 4A semifinal qualifier, Corner Canyon. Whoever survives this side of the bracket will have truly earned their right to participate in the championship. Although both of the first round games are quite intriguing, Olympus and Bingham sticks out as an especially intriguing match-up. Ryan Wood and Brayden Cosper as well as the rest of the Miners will have to be ready to play if they plan to knock off one of the top teams in the state in Olympus.
Prediction:
Olympus will have a tough route to make it to the championship. However, they will find a way to get by Bingham and Davis due to their strong guard play in Rylan Jones and Jeremy DowDell. Further, Harrison Creer has been a pleasant surprise early for Olympus.
Bottom Four: American Fork vs. Brighton and Bountiful vs. Copper Hills
Although the bottom half of the bracket does not have as exciting of match-ups, it is still competitive. The top 1st round game on this side will be American Fork and Brighton. Although Brighton is not off to a hot start early, the Krystkowiak brothers, Luc and Cameron, are skilled and will make this a competitive game. Further, Brighton will have the assistance of Dallin Ringwood.
Prediction:
The semifinal match-up will be American Fork and Copper Hills. This match-up will feature two of the top players in the state in Issac Johnson, American Fork; and Trevon Allfrey. Although this game will be highly competitive, the host team, American Fork, will prevail. However, Allfrey will give American Fork all that they can handle defensively.
Utah Elite 8: Championship Prediction
With both Olympus and American Fork surviving their brackets, we will have a show down between some of the state’s top guards, Jones and DowDell; and one of the top stretch fours, Johnson. Although this will be a tough match-up, the stout guard play of Olympus will ultimately prevail.