Mid-Season Favorites 5A
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5A has a few teams separating themselves from the pack. Region 5 The obvious favorite is undefeated but we are going to roll the dice with Woods Cross High School. After watching them play a few games this season they…
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Continue Reading5A has a few teams separating themselves from the pack.
Region 5
The obvious favorite is undefeated but we are going to roll the dice with Woods Cross High School. After watching them play a few games this season they have the pieces to really make a run. They have a dynamic player in Mason Bendinger Mason Bendinger 6'3" | CG Woods Cross | 2023 State UT who can go out and get a bucket at all three levels, but he also has the vision to break someone down and find an open player. That open player that has really turned things up has been Jaxon Smith Jaxon Smith 6'1" | PG Woods Cross | 2023 State UT . The Class of 2023 G has been playing at a high level shooting the ball and breaking players off the bounce. He has really been impressive off the dribble making ling jumpers. Then you go down low as one of their bigs is displaying a high motor and a lot of grit in his game. 6’7 Nick Hogan has been tough as he uses his big body and frame to clean things up down low. Region 5 will have no easy games as two or three teams can take the thrown if they play right.
Region 6
Not only is Olympus the clear cut favorite this season in Region 6, but they are also the favorites to win it all. Although there is another tough team in the classification and Olympus is the RPI #2, we just find it hard to believe that Olympus with all the talent they have can not pull it off. The emergence and elite play of Jordan Barnes Jordan Barnes 6'4" | PG Olympus | 2024 State UT has really been impressive. He is really showing that he needs to be considered as a Division 1 PG. With size, scoring ability and a two-way player he has been essential in their success. Dutch Dowdell Dutch Dowdell 6'6" | SG Olympus | 2024 State #310 Nation UT has been lights out and he is really in a groove that is trouble for opposing teams. The big fella down on the blocks has virtually nobody in the region that can stop him. Although there are other big bodies that will try, Jack has Division q talent that often times can only be contained.
Region 7
Region 7 could be a toss-up but we think that Cottonwood has some high level wing play that can get them by some other teams with talent in the region. Noah Widerburg Noah Widerburg 6'4" | CG Cottonwood | 2022 State UT has been clutch in tough games and he is leading in scoring and rebounding as well. Robbie Yates Robbie Yates 6'3" | CG Cottonwood | 2022 State UT has been a great addition to the team and Aiden Oliphant has also been tough playing all over the floor. They will get challenged by Payson and Cedar Valley but Cottonwood is a team that could be a sleeper.
Region 8
Orem is the favorite on paper but everyone is gunning for them as they just found out as they survived a close one at Alta. Really like the next level talent of Carter Walker Carter Walker 6'5" | CG Orem | 2022 State UT who is solid 2 guard that can absolutely fly. Nick Clark Nick Clark 6'3" | SG Orem | 2022 State UT is really good at controlling the tempo and finding open players. Dane Christensen Dane Christensen 6'7" | SF Orem | 2022 State UT provides scoring from all over the floor. This Region will have some tough contenders in Alta and Lehi. If Lehi continues to light it up from outside they could give teams issues, but till then the Orem Tigers are the team to beat.
Region 9
Region 9 might simply be a dog fight every night as teams like Springville, Maple Mountain and Spanish Fork can get you on any given night. Springville has a stud in Jake Nadauld Jake Nadauld 6'2" | CG Springville | 2022 State UT and a big in Nate Vesintin that can score inside and out. Look for them to run it when it counts in Region 9.