5 Things to Know: 5A State Tournament Quarterfinals
The 5A state tournament started off with some serious fireworks as #1 seed Timpview went down at the hands of Skyline. The 2nd round and the Quarterfinals continue tonight with some great games to watch.
5 Things to Know: 5A State Tournament Quarterfinals
1. Winner of Round 1: Region 6 and Skyline
Both region 6 and region 5 had 3 teams advance to the quarterfinals. Region 5, which has Bountiful, Viewmont, and Box Elder still alive, had a great first day. However, Skyline, from region 6, pulled off the biggest upset of the 1st round with a win over #1 Timpview, a team many believed would go deep into the tournament.
Due to all of the upsets, 6 of the 8 teams remaining belong to region 5 and 6. With that said, a number of those teams play against each other today. Skyline is playing one of those teams as Bountiful upset Skyridge. Skyline could potentially punch its ticket into the final four if they play well again this evening.
Hollan Schweitz was the hero of round one along with Andrew Clark. Skyline’s historic run could potentially continue if those two replicate their success. This is the only match-up today that does not involve a region title winner.
Prediction: Bountiful takes down Skyline despite their impressive first round win.
2. Who emerges as the other title contender?
While Olympus seems to be the clear cut #1, many figured that Timpview would be the closest in line to challenge them for the title. At this point, it looks awfully bleak that anyone else will find a way to compete with them.
With that said, the upset of Timpview opens up the opportunity for someone else to make a deep run and challenge Olympus in the title match. The potential contenders at this point are #3 East, #1 Timpanogos, #1 Box Elder and #3 Corner Canyon.
East vs. Timpanogos as well as Box Elder vs. Corner Canyon are quite intriguing match-ups. The winners of those respective games will play in the next round for a chance to play against the states top team.
3. Upset Alert: #3 East vs. #1 Timpanogos
East has been up and down this season. However, there is no question that this team is ultra talented and capable of making a deep run this post-season.
East is playing good basketball down the stretch as they have won 4 of their last 5 games with the only lose being a close contest with Olympus. While their overall record isn’t pretty, the goal is to peak at the end of the season and they appear to be doing just that.
The biggest key to this match-up with be the play of Mikey Frazier. Timpanogos is talented but does not have a great match-up for him if he is willing to be active and the guards make it a priority to get him involved. Further, East has skilled guards in Andre Mulibea Andre Mulibea 6'4" | CG East | 2020 State UT and Taylor Zwick.
While East is talented, this will not be an easy contest. Timpanogos is skilled and has to be the favorite to make it out of this side of the bracket. Derik Eaquinto, Matt Norman, and Tyler Walker are more than capable playmakers who will have a lot to say about the outcome of this game.
Prediction: East wins this one in a close contest.
4. The Olympus Crew
Olympus has been one of the most fun teams to watch in the state. The group is extremely talented and can score the basketball in bunches. They are far from being on the upset alert. However, any chance to watch these guards get after it is worth it.
With that said, if you are looking for a close game, tune in early as they have only had one game that was within 10 points this season. The group is led by Rylan Jones, who can distribute the basketball and score as well as anyone in the state. Jones’ ability to create and get his teammates involved makes this group extremely fun to watch.
Prediction: Olympus wins in convincing fashion.
5. High Scoring Affair: #3 Corner Canyon and #3 Box Elder
Corner Canyon and Box Elder have both demonstrated an ability to put points on the board. In fact, both teams are averaging over 60 points per game this season.
Box Elder is the favorite in this one with Max Watson averages to score more than a third of those points. In order for Corner Canyon to win the race to 60 and this win, they will need to focus on slowing him down significantly. Unfortunately, that is much easier said than down as he is capable of scoring in an array of ways.
In addition to Watson, Tyson Madsen has been a consistent scoring threat who also contributes on the glass. The long junior is tough and skilled. He is a great supplemental piece to Watson and has been key for the team this season.
On the other side, Corner Canyon likes to let the basketball fly from deep. Almost everybody who steps floor can let it fly with precision from deep. If they get going, they can be an extremely dangerous team in a 1 and down format.
Ammon Jensen is their most consistent threat from deep. Averaging nearly 2 threes per game while shooting it at almost 50%. In addition to Jensen, Gabe Toombs is the team’s best scorer in the paint. He will have a tough match-up with Madsen, but he will compete at a high level.
Prediction: Box Elder wins in a tight contest. Toombs and Madsen will have an intense and exciting battle on the blocks.