The Case for Region 4
There are few regions nationwide that are as daunting as Region 4. In fact, due to the set bracket, only the top 4 teams from Region 4 will make the state tournament. At this point, Bingham is on the outside…
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Continue ReadingThere are few regions nationwide that are as daunting as Region 4. In fact, due to the set bracket, only the top 4 teams from Region 4 will make the state tournament. At this point, Bingham is on the outside looking in. This region has been absolutely incredible to watch, but has definitely not been good for the blood pressure of the coaches and fans within the region. Below is the case for why Region 4 will have a lot of success in the 6A state tournament and should be considered one of the top regions in the history of Utah High School basketball.
#1 Depth:
Bingham is regarded by many in the basketball community to be in the top 10 in the state for 6A. However, due to losing both of their games to Lone Peak, they will finish in last place in the region. Their biggest margin of defeat? 11 points vs. Lone Peak on January 18th and 11 points vs. American Fork on January 22. In comparison, there is not another team in 6A who is currently in last place who can say that all of their region games were within 11 points. Further, they beat one of the top teams in the state in Olympus.
While you don’t get to make the state tournament for being close, it is safe to say that Bingham would be one of the top teams in any other region in 6A. This region is battle tested. Almost every team in this region has at least 1 NCAA Division-I caliber player on their roster.
Fremont will win Region 1 and their prize for being the best in their region? The opportunity to play last year’s state champions, Lone Peak. While Fremont is capable of winning this game, I’m going to venture to guess that this is one of the only teams in Utah High School basketball history that the #1 seed is not favored against a #4.
#2 Skill:
As mentioned earlier, almost every team in this region has at least 1 NCAA Division-I caliber player on their roster. Pleasant Grove, who is currently leading the way in this region, has two prospects who are currently committed to Division-I schools in Casey Brown and Matt Van Komen.
American Fork, who will have a chance to tie for the region championship potentially, has multiple as well with Isaac Johnson and Trey Stewart already being committed as well. Both Van Komen and Johnson are also signed to play in a Power 5 conference in the Pac-12.
Westlake is sitting at #3 in the region and will stay there after sweeping Lone Peak. While they do not have anyone with NCAA Division-I offers at this time, Jared McGregor and Tredyn Christensen are showing that they are worthy of next level love, even if it is not at the Division-I level.
Lone Peak is led by Jaxon Pollard, who has received NCAA Division-I interest despite being injured as a junior. Pollard has kept this team together during one of the toughest seasons this group has had in quite some time. Yet, by many people’s standards, Lone Peak has had a lot of success in a top tier region.
Lastly, despite only being a 2021 prospect, Jordan Toscano has received a lot of publicity out of Bingham. While the group did not live up to their expectations in this daunting region, Toscano provides the team with plenty of confidence going forward.
#3 Size:
The top two teams in this region, Pleasant Grove and American Fork, both possess something that many teams don’t. They have size. More importantly, they have skilled size. These two teams are the primary favorites to win state championship. Isaac Johnson and Tanner Cuff will provide length and skill for American Fork. Matt Van Komen will look to do the same for Pleasant Grove.
Fortunately for the fans in the state, these two teams are on the opposite sides of the bracket. There is a good chance, unless they play another Region 4 team, that they will play again in the state championship.