This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
There is a new format for the first rounds of the state boys' basketball tournaments for the two largest classifications because of conflicts with ACT testing this season. The Class 4A bracket has four games at Weber State and four at Utah Valley on Monday before relocating to the University of Utah for the remainder of the tournament, which concludes Saturday. The 5A tournament follows an identical format, but starts one day later on Tuesday.
The postseason is similar to the offseason. Each program starts anew, believing in its chances to win a state championship. Records revert back to meaningless numbers. Hope reigns supreme, especially for the discounted and overlooked.
However, for the 5A tournament, the Fairy Godmother might post a no-show. The odds of any Cinderella stories this year are slim. This fairy-tale centers on the big three: Bingham, Lone Peak and Copper Hills.
Bingham is the No. 1-ranked program in the state. The Miners have won 14 consecutive games dating back to mid-December, most of which were over by halftime. Yoeli Childs is the headliner. The BYU signee is averaging 19.3 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, but unlike previous years, Childs is complemented by a lethal backcourt. Lleyton Parker, Dason Youngblood and Samuta Avea comprise arguably the best guard-set in the state.
Lone Peak is back after its four-year championship run ended last year. The Knights are led by Frank Jackson. Perhaps you've heard of him? The Duke signee leads the state in scoring, but he's not a one-man band despite popular belief. Nate Harkness, Steven Ashworth and Chad Pollard are all capable of knocking down shots from the perimeter.
Copper Hills has anticipated this season for four years, and now it's all or nothing. Preston Sanchez is perhaps the most underrated guard in the state, while Trevor Hoffman, Porter Hawkins, Stockton Shorts and Charlie Olsen have all started for numerous years. However, the Grizzlies finished second in Region 3, likely setting up a brutal quarterfinal matchup against Lone Peak.
Weber won Region 1 convincingly behind prolific scorer Grant Ellison, but skepticism about the quality of the league is prevalent. The same stigma is attached to Region 2 winner and defending champion Layton.
The Lancers, a potential Cinderella team, have improved tenfold since Julian Blackmon returned at the beginning of region play after recovering from a broken wrist. Jakoby Kemp, Dallin Watts and Chandler Obray add depth in the starting lineup.
American Fork was expected to contend for the championship, but it received a major blow when Marquette signee Brendan Bailey, who was playing the best basketball of his career, sustained a season-ending hand injury. The Cavemen still employ Spencer Johnson, who can stuff the stat sheet quickly, but the question remains whether they have the depth to overcome the loss of Bailey.
Unlike 5A, the 4A tournament is wide open. Timpview has been the No. 1-ranked team for the majority of the season. The Thunderbirds are explosive behind BYU commit Gavin Baxter. Levi Wilson and AJ Bollinger are valuable pieces in the offense, while Jordan Sagers might be the best pure shooter in the state.
However, Timpview has notoriously underperformed in the postseason, which opens the door for others.
Murray was the preseason No. 1-ranked team after returning virtually its entire roster from last season when it nearly (and should have) knocked off Bountiful, which subsequently won its second straight title, in the first round. The Spartans struggled mightily out of the gates, but returned to the power rankings late in the season, and are legitimate title contenders.
AJ Hodges is the best overall player for Murray, but James Walljasper, Peyton Christman, a knockdown gunner from beyond the arc, and Zach Dickerson will contribute extensively.
Olympus captured the Region 6 title over Murray, and the Titans have flirted with deep postseason runs the past several years. Isaac Monson, Matt Lindsey, Miles Keller and Travis Keller are a consistent foursome in the starting lineup. Olympus is positioned on the preferred side of the bracket, which gives the Titans the best odds of reaching the championship.
Maple Mountain's Kade Poulsen is the best player that very few people know about. He truly does it for the Region 8 champs, while Jaren Hall, who signed with BYU to play quarterback, is a versatile No. 2 option.
Woods Cross enjoyed one of the largest turnaround seasons in the entire state. After winning only six games last year, the Wildcats won the Region 5 title behind sharpshooter Trevin Knell, but both Maple Mountain and Woods Cross are fighting against the reputation of their regions.
Corner Canyon is the dark horse. The Chargers were ranked the entire season, reaching as high as No. 2 behind seniors Brayden Johnson, Trevor Miller, Braxton Coon and Cameron Dougherty. This is the first appearance in the postseason for the third-year school, and if the Chargers can avoid the tendency of suffering through long stretches without generating offense, they have the athleticism and defensive intensity to make a run at the title.
Twitter: @trevorphibbs Class 5A boys' basketball first round
Tuesday
At Utah Valley University
• Syracuse (12-10) vs. Copper Hills (19-3), 2:30 p.m.
• Mountain Crest (12-10) vs. Lone Peak (20-4), 4:10 p.m.
• Viewmont (13-9) vs. Bingham (20-2), 5:50 p.m.
• Fremont (13-10) vs. American Fork (18-5), 7:30 p.m.
At Weber State
• Westlake (17-6) vs. Weber (19-3), 2:30 p.m.
• Brighton (15-8) vs. Davis (15-7), 4:10 p.m.
• Pleasant Grove (16-6) vs. Sky View (14-8), 5:50 p.m.
• West Jordan (15-9) vs. Layton (14-8), 7:30 p.m. —
Class 4A boys' basketball first round
Monday
At Utah Valley University
• Kearns (17-6) vs. East (15-7), 2:30 p.m.
• Salem Hills (9-14) vs. Timpview (18-5), 4:10 p.m.
• Mountain View (12-11) vs. Maple Mountain (16-6), 5:50 p.m.
• Highland (12-11) vs. Murray (17-6), 7:30 p.m.
At Weber State
• Payson (12-10) vs. Corner Canyon (18-5), 2:30 p.m.
• Hillcrest (11-10) vs. Woods Cross (17-4), 4:10 p.m.
• Box Elder (14-9) vs. Olympus (20-3), 5:50 p.m.
• Orem (10-13) vs. Wasatch (14-9), 7:30 p.m.