Games to watch this week!
The High School basketball season has started and already we are beginning to see some teams playing in mid season form and some of these teams will be put to the test this week in some high profile match ups.
Last night, we saw why so many people are high on #3 (6a) Lone Peak this year. Coach Izzy Ingle picked up his first win at LP in convincing fashion as the Knights walked in #7 (5a) PG and built a 30 point lead after 3 quarters. Saxon Young and Crew Fotheringham combined for 9 3 pointers and 34 points as Lone Peak walked to a 73-43 win
While there are a lot of high profile national games taking place at the LVLUP Hoopfest yesterday, today, and tomorrow, I’m going to keep my games to watch on the local scene (and we have a lot of them!)
#5 (6a) American Fork vs Mt Zion Prep - American Fork will look to bounce back after their loss to Bingham and take on a national prep powerhouse in Mt Zion
#1 (6a) Davis at #7 (6a) Westlake - I’ve been high on Westlake since watching them play this spring and summer but as many people pointed out to me with my preseason rankings…that is spring and summer ball. This game is at Westlake and I expect the matchup of Graydin Anderson and JT Turley to dictate who wins this game. The floor generals for both squads will need to win their matchups for their team to win.
#2 (6a) Layton vs #6 (5a) Alta - Both of these teams strengths, similar to the Davis/Westlake game, matchup well. Karter Miller vs Dash Reiser is for sure the one to watch tonight at Alta High School
#8 (6a) Lehi at #3 (5a) Highland - Lehi’s first game of the year walking into Highland is no easy task. The Rams offensive performance against Murray was one of the best I’ve seen. The backcourt of Jordan Oberholtzer, Bodie Dodge, and Isaiah Drisdom is one of the most lethal in the state. Maybe the most lethal. Lehi has yet to post rosters anywhere, but I expect Jumiors Ashton Shewell and Avery Tukarawa to come out with a chip on their shoulders and ready to play as the Pioneers always are
#3 (2a) Enterprise at #2 (1a) Panguitch - You know we are always trying to give love to the smaller schools here at UtahBasketball.net. Both teams are traditional powerhouses in boys basketball and have built exceptional programs from youth all the way up to the varsity level.
#2 (5a) Olympus at #4 (6a) Bingham - The class of 2026 guard play has been well documented here and on other sights and 2 of the best square off in South Jordan tonight with returning POTY Gavin Lowe vs Luke West. Gavin is committed to UC Irvine and Luke holds multiple D1 offers.
#5 (5a) Springville vs #3 (6a) Lone Peak - These 2 teams played at the Great Western Classic and I don’t remember the final score, but I do remember Lone Peak getting out to a big lead. Springville is going to need big time performances from Jamyn Sondrup and Mason Hansen if they want to keep up with aforementioned duo of Saxon Young and Crew Fotheringham.
Millennium, AZ vs #4 (5a) Orem - Orem will finally have football players Aisa Galeai and Juni Moala (if both are healthy obviously…I have no idea) joining with Simeon Suguturaga, Cooper Harris, Troy Kaufusi, and Kekane Manuia who have not just been holding down the fort, the Tigers are one of the hottest teams in the state to start the year. They will have to face Arizona commit Cam Holmes and the Millennium Falcons (they’re actually the Tigers, but imagine the NIL money from Disney?!?) tonight in the LVLUP Hoopfest. Cam is a MUST watch player!
There are a lot of other games like Woods Cross at Murray, Undefeated teams Uintah at Carbon, Viewmont at Farmington, and AZ Compass vs Utah Prep that I could still write about, but I gotta get to work!
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