3. Lone Utah team Peaks at No. 1 in country 
Lone Peak's chemistry and perfect blend of shooters, size and togetherness paved way to the first MaxPreps national championship in any sport for a Utah team.
Photo by Dave Argyle
When
considering the best boys basketball teams in the country, one
immediately ponders urban spots like New York City, Chicago and Detroit.
Southern California, South Florida and the Dallas and Houston regions
of Texas also come to mind.
But Utah? Never.
Nick Emery was Utah's Mr. Basketball.
Photo by Dave Argyle
,
30 miles south of Salt Lake City, changed all that with a clear and
emphatic statement all season that it belonged at the top of the
national rankings.
Led by
MaxPreps National Coach of the Year Quincy Lewis, the Knights (26-1) became the first team from Utah to be recognized as national champions by MaxPreps in any sport.
"It's
been absolutely great for our state," said Lewis. "Our governor had us
up to the capitol building and proclaimed March 8 Lone Peak Basketball
Day, so to say it's been big in the state of Utah is an understatement.
"I think it shows what's possible if you put a lot of work into it and have the right combination."
The Knights' balance was on display as postseason awards began to roll
out in the Beehive State. BYU-bound (following a two-year mission)
senior guard
Nick Emery was named Mr. Basketball by the
Deseret News. Junior guard
T.J. Haws (also committed to BYU) earned Class 5A MVP honors. Two other future BYU Cougars in 6-foot-9 senior
Eric Mika and football recruit
Talon Shumway earned first team Class 5A All-State honors. Senior guard
Connor Toolson was named to the second team.
But it's what Lone Peak did out of state that vaulted it to the top.
Among
the biggest statements all season included an 84-46 thrashing of 22-3
Proviso East (Maywood, Ill.) in December, ending Chester's (Pa.) 61-game
win streak at the City of Palms Classic and an 81-46 spanking of
two-time defending California Division II state champ Archbishop Mitty
(San Jose) at the Spalding Hoophall Classic in Jan.
The Knights
had wins over teams from nine states on their resume and were 6-1
against teams that were ranked nationally at some point in the season.
The
lone loss came in the final of the prestigious City of Palms Classic to
Montverde Academy (Fla.) – the No. 1 team in MaxPreps Academy Top 10, a
team not eligible for Xcellent 25 consideration.
"In the fall
we set a goal to win the national championship," Lewis said. "We thought
that it was possible and so whenever we're playing an in-state game our
conversation was, 'We're playing for the national championship
tonight,' because you lose one in-state game and it's over."
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