Even though most of the games involve girls teams with sub-.400 records, it still is state tournament time in Utah, with first-round action in 3A, 4A and 5A beginning Friday and the 1A/2A finals this weekend.
Play-in games begin Friday at home sites. The 3A boys and girls tournament is next week at UVU while the 4A and 5A girls convene at Salt Lake Community College.
The preview:
3A BOYS:
Wasatch is on a 20-game winning streak. Judge Memorial, Emery and Ben Lomond could contend.
3A GIRLS:
This was Morgan’s tournament to lose until Ashley Garfield broke her ankle two weeks ago. Now it’s anyone’s. Either Richfield and Judge Memorial won’t make it out of the first round. (Memo to UHSAA: It’s called seeding. Look into it.) Ditto for Delta and Juan Diego. Others to watch: Wasatch and Emery.
4A GIRLS:
Springville’s the overwhelming favorite after going 19-0 during the regular season, including an undefeated run in Region 8 where the Red Devils won nine of 10 by double-figure margins. BYU signee Lexi Eaton averages 24 points a game and has a great supporting cast.
5A GIRLS
: Syracuse cruised to a perfect 21-0 regular season and won its 16 Region 1 games by an average of 32.9 points a game. Defending champ American Fork survived the grueling Region 4 gauntlet.
1A/2A:
1A tournaments are underway at Richfield and 2A at Southern Utah.
WRESTLING
5A:
Viewmont won its third straight state title by a single point over Pleasant Grove. That actual point came when Mitch Rasmussen scored a late takedown in his 152 championship. The classification bid farewell to semi-legends Carson Kuhn of Alta and Bingham’s Kade Moss, who combined for seven state championships and both will head to Boise State.
4A:
Payson defended its state championship despite having 11 fewer wrestlers than Box Elder or Mountain Crest. Individual Highlight: Mountain Crest’s Raider Lofthouse (great name) matches his older brother Ethan, now at Iowa, in going 4-4 at the state tourney.
OTHERS:
Small-school powers Delta (3A) and Millard (2A) continued their dynasties while Altamont won the 1A title.
SWIMMING:
Brighton swept the 5A girls and boys state championships at BYU, leading the second-place finishers (American Fork boys and Alta girls) by more than 100 points. Brighton senior Robby Miner broke a 23-year-old state record in the 500 freestyle.
