5 Key Questions: Pleasant Grove vs. Olympus
The championship game last year featured both of these teams in 6A and in 5A. The only difference is that Olympus was crowned the 5A Champion and Pleasant Grove was not. Rylan Jones (Utah) and Matt Van Komen (Utah) both play on the same AAU team (Exum Elite) and are familiar with each other. They will also be playing together at the collegiate level as well. Olympus’ Jeremy DowDell has offers from Dixie State and Air Force. The Vikings SG Casey Brown will be playing at BYU next year. Here are our 5 Key Questions: Pleasant Grove vs. Olympus.
Is this the year teams figure out Olympus’ Splash Brothers?
Absolutely, NOT! Teams have not been able to figure out Rylan since he’s been playing basketball. Rylan was averaging 19 points per game as a freshman and will start the season with 1.371 points. If Rylan can reach 1,800 points he will be 14th All-Time in scoring. The other “Splash Brother” Jeremy DowDell averaged 20 points per game last season and we expect him to do the same again this year. Jeremy was ten 3 pointers off of the state record for most 3-pointers made in a season.
Who has the better supporting cast?
Pleasant Grove has the edge here. Kawika Akina (who is actually out with a broken hand), Tyler Fairbanks, Preston Bushman and Max Miller will all provide scoring power for the Vikings. Pleasant Grove is also 4 games into the season and Olympus will be playing in their season opener. Olympus doesn’t return much beside 6’7 Max Calton. Which means they will have to depend on a lot of young players to help with major minutes this year. We’ve see their youngsters play and they can shoot the ball. In order for Olympus to pull off the upset we expect them to get to the free-throw line and hit a bunch of 3’s.
Is Matt Van Komen primed to have a monster season?
The thing that distinguishes Pleasant Grove from every high school in America is 7’4 Matt Van Komen. The University of Utah singe’s transformation has been remarkable. This summer we had the chance to watch Matt square off against Compton Magic and their big’s and he held his own against these future NBA players. Look for Matt to average 17 points, 12 rebounds and 5 blocks. Don’t surprised if Matt pulls off a triple-double this year.
How big of a get could Jeremy DowDell be for colleges looking for a SG?
Jeremy has shown growth every year with his ability to hit open shots as well as contested shots. He is a player that you have to account for at all times. Jeremy could help any college trying to spread the floor by simply having a knockdown shooter on the floor. He would be a Division 2 dream player but will likely sign with a Division 1 school. If Jeremy decided to go the National JUCO route he would have every school in line waiting to sign a player of his caliber.
What is the future of Pleasant Grove?
Pleasant Grove has been so close these past few years but has always run into some trouble in the playoffs. With two Division 1 players on their team this year, this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity to bring home a basketball State Championship back to their city. The last time PG won a boys basketball championship was in 1961. If the 58 year drought doesn’t end at the end of the season it might be a difficult task for the Vikings to recreate the opportunities they have this season.