Two high schools ready to carry football rivalry over to basketball.
Another Alta-Bingham showdown is in the works. Didn’t we just go through this during football?
Utah’s best football rivalry will carry over to the hardwood Jan. 2 and once again, it’ll be a big regular-season matchup.
Alta getting an overtime victory on the road Tuesday night against Provo, especially after being down 15 in the first half, is an indication that the Hawks are for real at 7-1. Kyle Davis is having a monster season, averaging 17.9 points a game while Jordan Brown (Remember him from football?) is running the point well and averaging 16.8.
Bingham knocked off Brighton last week and is also 7-1. The lone setback is to Olympus, considered one of the state’s top 4A teams.
Jordan Brown, Alta
File photo by Matthew Sauk
Alta’s off next week, while Bingham will play at the Logan CVE tournament with a chance to face 4A power Springville and some California teams.
Other observations and stocking stuffers as non-conference play continues in the midst of the holiday festivities:
1.) Provo now has two overtime losses at home so far this season. Hmm. Cause for alarm? Nah. American Fork is for real and Alta is Alta. Kyle Collinsworth is having a solid run.
2.) Collinsworth may be the state’s best player, but also keep an eye on Nate Fakahafua of Highland. He’s a 6-foot-5 senior who can play the post and run the point on a fast break. Plus, the guy has swagger on the court.
3.) American Fork is still unbeaten after a disastrous campaign last year. That’s my feel-good story of this December.
4.) Lone Peak is unbeaten, as well. Rumor has it there’s another Haws coming up the pipeline. The Knights aren’t a program — they’re a machine.
5.) Ben Lomond’s still unbeaten. Let’s see what happens when region play starts.
6.) Fremont-Davis is shaping up to be a good Region 1 matchup.
7.) As far as the girls go, look out for Judge Memorial’s Erica Martinez. Not only can she light it up 25 or more per game, she does the stuff coaches like to see, like tracking down her long rebound and keeping the possession going. There’s a reason with Judge is 7-0 and blasting 4A and 5A teams. Region 11 will be interesting with Judge and Morgan battling.
8.) Right behind Martinez is Alta point guard Makenzi Morrison. Only a sophomore, but runs the floor like a senior.
