Region 4 gets two play-in games.

This was supposed to be the year that Region 4 took only three girls' basketball teams to the state tournament. Given that region's depth, that would mean that two well-qualified, even top-ranked, teams would be left out of the postseason.

At any given point in the season, Alta, Brighton, Pleasant Grove, Lone Peak and American Fork have been ranked as a top-five team. Many see the outright omission of any of those teams from the state tournament as a disservice not only to the league, but to the validity of the playoff bracket.

But fortunately, it looks as though the UHSAA agrees. Now, Region 4's fourth-place team will take on Region 2's fifth-place team to determine who will face off against Syracuse in the first round. In the second play-in game, Region 4's fifth-place team will face Region 2's fourth-place team to determine who takes on Region 3's winner in the first round. Given that scenario, the possibility remains for five Region 4 teams to reach the playoffs.

According to the league's coaches, that's just as it should be.

"It's been a war. Every game is a battle," Pleasant Grove coach Glenn Larson said. "We're just glad we have the two play-in games."

Post-dunk celebrations ... fair or foul?

During the Waterford boys' basketball team's 54-41 win over Rowland Hall on Jan. 27, the Ravens' 6-foot-10 center and U commit Neal Monson slammed down two statement dunks -- one as his team pulled away in the fourth quarter.

Typically, Monson is advised to hold on to the rim until the traffic clears beneath him in order to avoid a collision or sprained ankle. On his second dunk of the night, Monson pulled up on the rim, ever so slightly, before dropping down. He was immediately called for a technical foul for celebrating.

Following the game, even Monson admitted that he shouldn't have pulled up on the rim.

"Coach always says hang for a second or two to avoid injury, but I probably shouldn't have pulled up like that," Monson said.

Teammate Christian Priskos took more of a no-harm, no-foul stance.

"Rules are rules, but we're just a bunch of guys who are having fun playing basketball," Priskos said. "Plays like that get us pumped up."