This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
American Fork and Lone Peak just got bigger.
The location of the crosstown rivalry has officially changed to the Marriott Center on the campus of Brigham Young University. The game is scheduled to tip Friday at 7 p.m. in Provo.
The programs were originally scheduled to meet on their home floors for the first time since 2012 after playing the previous four match-ups at the UCCU Center at Utah Valley to accommodate growing attendance.
The rivals are the only remaining unbeaten teams in Region 4, arguably the toughest region in the state with seven playoff-caliber programs. The Knights (11-3, 3-0) are ranked No. 1 in The Salt Lake Tribune Class 5A rankings, having shown a propensity to eke out close contests this season, winning five games by less than eight points.
The Cavemen (8-5, 2-0), currently unranked, are fresh of their 20-point victory against Pleasant Grove, reenergizing the hype for Friday's game after stumbling from the gates at season's start.
Lone Peak is led by its dynamic backcourt: Frank Jackson and Christian PoPoola, while Nick Curtis contributes a valuable inside presence. American Fork is lanky and athletic behind Spencer Johnson, Brendan Bailey and Dallin Harley, who account for 71 percent of the Cavemen's offensive production, collectively averaging 45 points.
Proximity has preserved the rivalry's pulse, despite lack of competitiveness. Lone Peak is 16-1 against the Cavemen since 2006, and is 5-0 on neutral courts, including the 2011 state championship at the Dee Events Center at Weber State. During the stretch, the Knights' average margin of victory has been 17 points.
-Trevor Phibbs
Twitter: @trevorphibbs