Provo is the prohibitive favorite to take the 4A title thanks to the return of Collinsworth and the move of West to 5A after its stunning upset in last year’s championship.
Why all the love for Provo? First is Collinsworth, who will play at BYU next year. Second, the rest of the state’s classes are pick ’em. It’ll make for a great season, but it makes December analysis tough.
Most of the state is now full tilt in basketball, and the first major upset has been posted. American Fork, which struggled mightily last year, beat Provo in double overtime Tuesday. See? It will be fun to watch.
Here’s a quick overlook of 801 prep basketball.
5A: Rebuilding or reloading
This will be the last mention of Haws, who led Lone Peak to two state championships and 69 victories in four years. Lone Peak lost all five starters, but remember, Lone Peak is a program, and the reloading was already in progress.
The next great Knight is Nick Emery, who registered 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists and five steals in his varsity debut. The freshman has been wanting to play at Lone Peak since he was in third grade. Oh, yeah, his brother Jackson plays for BYU. Lone Peak will be all right by February.
West Jordan upended Lone Peak for the 5A title last year, but also has to rebuild its starting lineup from scratch. No telling what West will do as a 5A team – West Jordan blasted West last week. West Jordan will battle Bingham and Riverton for Region 3, but don’t count out Copper Hills.
Region 4 is the ACC of Utah, and there will be one or two good teams staying home in March. Pleasant Grove may be the interesting team to watch after the departure of C.J. Wilcox to Washington. Davis will dominate Region 1 while Region 2 gets five playoff berths.
CLASS 4A: Prove it, Provo
The Provo lovefest continues here, but there are several teams that can give the Bulldogs a run.
Last year, Lone Peak-Pleasant Grove games were the instant classics. The good games will be in 4A this year.
Springville-Provo will make a good non-regional game. Raul DelGado is an explosive point guard with a solid all-around game, and the Red Devils have solid post play in Matt Sumsion and Sam Schreiner. Provo will have some challenge in Region 7 from Timpview and Lehi, who were also-rans in 5A but might benefit from the move down. Olympus from Region 5 has three starters back.
CLASS 3A: Year of the Wasp?
Wasatch has the early edge with three returning starters, but Bear River will be back in the mix thanks to a competitive Region 11 that includes Juan Diego, Morgan and Judge.
CLASS 2A: South Sevier Stands Alone?
South Sevier also returns three starters from last year’s runner-up. The classification did not return three of its top teams – Richfield, Manti and Juab are now 3A. San Juan, South Summitt, Kanab and Enterprise are also teams to watch.
CLASS 1A: Pick 'e
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Escalante graduated every starter from last year's state championship team.
The rest of the field is wide open.
