4A title matchup preview: Olympus vs. Orem

By Kyle Goon

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Mar 02 2012 09:29 pm • Last Updated Mar 03 2012 12:31 am

Here’s a breakdown of Saturday’s Class 4A boys’ basketball championship between Olympus and Orem. It’s at 1:30 p.m. at the Maverik Center.

Olympus (18-6)

Playoff teams beaten » Bonneville, East, Provo

Player to watch » Will Cannon. The 6-foot-6 forward is key to the Titans’ attack. If he can score inside, it can free up Olympus’ shooters. Cannon also must take the lead on rebounding against Orem’s tall front line.

How Olympus can win » After Bountiful found some success by slowing up the tempo in the semifinals against Orem, the Titans may try the same thing. But Olympus is arguably a better 3-point shooting team, so if it can convert its open looks and force the Tigers to play a slow half-court game, there’s definitely a chance. Also, defensively, look for the Titans to try to overwhelm point guard Zach Hunsaker and force him to make decisions under pressure.

Orem (23-1)

Playoff teams beaten » Woods Cross, Skyline, Bountiful

Player to watch » Dalton Nixon. Point guard Zach Hunsaker keys the offense, but Nixon has been probably the team’s best inside player. The 6-foot-8 sophomore can rebound, has post moves and can shoot from 3-point range.

How Orem can win » Attack inside, and attack quickly. Nixon, Jordan Darger and Josh Pollard should get a lot of looks early. Go for the high-percentage shots. If they can make a few, and get Will Cannon and center Parker Rawlings in foul trouble, the Titans won’t have a lot of post options. On defense, the Tigers can pack inside and force Olympus to be a jump-shooting offense. If they can make Cannon an offensive non-factor, the Titans will be in trouble.

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