Top 25 & Updated Region Rankings
We has passed the halfway point in the 2018-2019 season and the dust has somewhat settled. We have been pleased with the caliber of teams across the state that can compete on any given night. It has been an impressive pre-season. Coaches have decided to play the best in-state and out of state competition. This addition of the Top 25 features a lot of good teams that will likely move up an down the rest of the way.
#1 Wasatch Academy (16-0) Independent
The Tigers have been playing impressive basketball. They have 4 players scoring in double figures. On any given night any player can go off. They are on a different level and any Utah team that plays Wasatch Academy will only get better.
#7 Ball Is Life FAB 50
#5 Blue Star Media Elite 25
#6 MaxPreps National Computer
#8 MaxPreps Xcellent 25
#10 Prep Circuit Power 50
#9 USA TODAY Super 25
#1- Deseret News (Utah)
#2 Pleasant Grove (12-2)
The Vikings nab the 2 spot because they have played a much tougher schedule than anyone below them. Matt Van Komen is a cheat code. The Vikings are getting major contributions from Tyler Fairbanks. He is a great compliment to Casey Brown and Van Komen. One of their losses comes to Sierra Canyon (CA) the top team in California and the # 4 team in the country.Their other loss came to the # 7 team in the state of Florida Oak Ridge High School.
#3 American Fork (13-0)
The Cavemen have fun match up with Kearns coming up. AAU teammates Isaac Johnson, Trey Stewart and Tanner Cuff team up against Emmanuel Andrew of Kearns. AF has a shot at a Region 4 title just like every other team in the region. Every game will be a battle but on paper AF is just as good as anyone in the state.
#4 Olympus (11-2)
Withe respectable losses to Bingham and Pleasant Grove by a combined total of 5 points the Titans are finding their groove. Recently gave Westlake their 1st loss. Rylan Jones and Jeremy DowDell have been lights out. Olympus is our 5A favorite to take state again but they will have everyone gunning for them.
#5 Lone Peak (11-4)
Lone Peak got off to a rough start and had a tough draw in the Tarkanian Classic but they are playing well now. They’re an uptempo team that has a lot of players that can contribute quality minutes. Don’t count them out in 6A and in Region 4 for that matter. Noah Smithson and Jaxon Pollard are playing hard nose basketball.
#6 Juan Diego Catholic (11-1)
One of the most surprising teams in the state as they had to replace 3 starters from last years team. The Soaring Eagles have racked up wins against Bingham, Herriman and Riverton this year. They squeezed out a tough win at Tooele without their starting PG. Their only lose comes from a good team in Colorado that they played without their PG as well. 6’4 G Raimoana Tiniauari is playing just as well as anyone in the state.
#7 Westlake (12-1)
The Thunder has been playing some good basketball. They suffered their 1st loss of the season at the hands of Olympus. Four of their thirteen games have been against tough teams. The rest of the teams they have played have been subpar. Westlake will battle anyone in Region 4, we look forward to see hoe they hold up in a brutal region.
# 8 Timpanogos (9-4)
Timpnogos is one of the true contenders in 5A. They have athleticism, shooting and they are well coached. Their four losses are justifiable. Matt Norman continues his great play. Colin Christensen and Trey Anderson have also given the T-Wolves offensive firepower. Look forward to their match-up against Skyridge and Maple Mountain.
# 9 Orem (6-4)
The Orem Tigers are deceptively good. They do have star studed athlete Puka Nacua, but they have been impressive without him as well. Taft Mitchell is having a great year and so is Shem Johnson. Look for te Tigers to go untouched in Region play. Th Tigers along with Sky View, Dixie and Juan Diego are the cream of the crop in 4A.
#10 Copper Hills (7-5)
The Grizz have been struggling as of late. They have lost two in a row and have a tough game this Friday against Westlake. Have teams figured out how to beat Copper Hills or will the Grizz regroup and make a big run in region that will trickle over to state.
#11 Corner Canyon (8-5)
The Charges got off to a rough start but they are playing well again as they’re getting healthy. Region 7 is no walk in the park with Timpview and Jordan playing well. Hayden Welling and Gabe Toombs are going to need help if they really want to compete against Olypus who has already blown out the Chargers.
#12 Herriman (9-5)
The Mustangs do play a tough schedule but are holding their own. They will need to maintain consistency to knock off Copper Hills and Riverton in region play. Herriman has the size, quickness and shooting to go far but can they get stops when needed.
#13 Timpview (8-5)
The T-Birds have been getting great play out of Nate Hansen but come off of a tough loss to Lone Peak. Region 7 should be interesting as they are 1 of 3 teams that can win that region.
#14 Bingham (9-5)
You have to give it up tp Coach Shroder who has prepared his undersized squad to compete. The Miners are tough. In every single one of their 5 losses they have been in the game. The Miners can not afford to let games slip away in region as one really good team will be the odd team out of the playoffs.
#15 Fremont (8-4)
Fremont is better than their four losses indicates. Every loss suffered this season has come to a team in our Top 25. Dallin and Baylor are playing great basketball right now.
#16 Davis (7-6)
The Darts have the right pieces but do they have the other intangibles to take their game to the next level is the biggest question.
#17 Woods Cross (9-2)
The Wildcats have been one of the most improved teams in the state. They have been doing it with inside outside play from Tyler Roberts and Jake Howe.
#18 Riverton (8-6)
Riverton has two signature wins against Woods Cross and Kearns but a questionable loss to Murray and Brighton. Riverton will make the playoffs but will with seeding being so important a 2 seed could be withing their grasp.
#19 Jordan (8-5)
Coach Trace Bevell has a good team that is looking to be consistent. They had a good win against Kearns and Skyridge. They will be one of the top teams in Region 7.
#20 Skyridge (9-4)
Skyridge is another team that has played well but will look forward to getting Trevon Snoody fully healthy to complement Duncan Reid.
#21 Kearns (10-3)
We know the Cougars feel like they’re slept on but they don’t have a signature win. They play in one of the reions that is really down. Look for them to reach 20 wins. Coach Cosby does a good job and they have some high flyers with Majok and Emmanuel.
#22 Brighton (9-4)
Brighton is a team that is hard to figure out still. They beat a good Riverton team but lose to Granger. They haven’t really played anyone tougher than that. They will have to prove themselves quickly as they face Corner Canyon next.
#23 Bountiful (7-6)
The Braves have played the best of the best. They have great inside outside players. They have two signature wins against Copper Hills and Lone Peak but a bad loss to Springville. The Braves have taken a back seat to Woods Cross in their region but that could change quickly.
#24 Dixie (10-2)
The Flyers have two losses to 6A teams. They have been playing tough basketball. We wouldn’t be surprised if they reach 20 wins this year. One of the few 4A teams that can play against the highest classification teams.
#25 Green Canyon (9-3)
The Green Canyon Wolves have been a surprise team this year. They are lead by shar shooter Carter Bersih who is averaging 18, 5 and 3. Will need to prove themselves against Sky View and Ridgeline in region play, but don’t be surprised any more.
Notable: Highland, Maple Mountain, Layton
1A
1.Intermountain Christian
2.Wendover
3.Panguitch
4.Taniona
5.Telos
2A
1.Parowan
2.Layton Christian
3.Kanab
4.Gunnison Valley
5.Draper APA
3A
1.South Sevier
2.Providence Hall
3.Morgan
4.Judge Memorial
5. Juab
4A
1.Juan Diego
2.Orem
3.Dixie
4.Green Canyon
5.Sky View
5A
1.Olympus
2.Timpanogos
3.CornerCanyon
4.Timpview
5.Woods Cross
6A
1.Pleasant Grove
2.American Fork
3.Lone Peak
4.Westlake
5.Copper Hills