afweek201
At around the halfway point in the region season, the races are beginning to take some shape, but no team of either gender in Utah County can sit comfortably yet.
Payson is the only region leader with a two-game advantage, but the Lion boys won their first three league games by three points or less, and two of those contests were played in the friendly confines of the Lions Den.
With three teams tied in the middle of Region 7 at 3-2 and most games being decided by less than 10 points, there are sure to be some more surprises before the end.
Orem has emerged as the clear favorite in Region 7 girls, but Timpview and Provo are right behind it and could still pull off an upset or force a tie.
In Region 4 girls, the Knights and Timberwolves are beginning to separate from the other teams, as originally expected, but American Fork, Pleasant Grove and Mountain View are all capable of having a say in how things turn out for the title, and all are fighting for playoff berths.
The Region 4 boys are generating buzz all around the state with four teams ranked in the top eight this week and much-anticipated clashes on the schedule from now through the rest of the month.
With 59 games in the books, those four teams still have only 11 losses between them and the Dons still hold their improbable lead over the top two ranked teams in 5A.
Every contest now will be critical to title hopes and playoff positions, and the Timberwolves and Bruins are still capable of playing the spoilers.
Here’s a look at what’s on tap for the next week.
Thursday, Feb. 1
GIRLS BASKETBALL
REGION 4
Lone Peak at American Fork (7 p.m.): The first-round contest between these teams brought the Cavemen (3-3, 13-4) back to earth, but with the Knights (6-0, 11-6) still struggling to find consistency, American Fork would be more than happy to return the favor this time.
The Cavemen will need to crash the boards better and hit more of their perimeter shots to have a chance at the upset.
Timpanogos at Mountain View (7 p.m.): The Timberwolves (5-1, 8-8) seem to have overcome their early challenges, but the Bruins (2-4, 2-14) will still have a chance in every game if they can continue their solid defense and get a few more shots to fall.
REGION 7
Springville at Lehi (5:15 p.m.): The Pioneers (0-6, 4-12) are certainly capable of beating the Red Devils (1-5, 2-15) if they can just talk themselves into believing it and translate that to execution on the court. Lehi still has a good shot at a playoff berth if it can get this one.
BOYS BASKETBALL
REGION 7
Springville at Lehi (7 p.m.): Both teams suffered tough losses in Tuesday’s outings, so the question may well come down to which squad can put the disappointment behind it the quickest.
After a great league start, the Pioneers (3-2, 9-7) seem to have hit some midseason doldrums, but they are still in solid playoff position and should gain some confidence and momentum with a victory here. All it will take is remembering to do what got them those early wins.
Friday, Feb. 2
GIRLS BASKETBALL
REGION 4
Pleasant Grove at Spanish Fork (5 p.m.): The Vikings (2-4, 7-10) won a high-scoring affair the first time through and really need to get this one to solidify their playoff position. The Dons (0-6, 3-14) are still hungry and can be tough at home.
BOYS BASKETBALL
REGION 4
Lone Peak at American Fork (7 p.m.): Only one game separates these two in the region standings, and you can throw out paper comparisons as being of no use with a rivalry of this magnitude. Expect another packed house and rowdy home crowd.
The Knights (3-1, 14-1) will need all of their weapons to prevail here, and the Cavemen (2-2, 11-4) can be counted on to bring everything but the kitchen sink to the court, and leave it all out there.
Pleasant Grove at Spanish Fork (7 p.m.): The Dons (4-0, 10-4) have managed to beat everybody else but will still have to play their best game to add the Vikings (3-1, 13-2) to their list of victims.
Despite the notoriously tough venue, Pleasant Grove is unlikely to want to slip farther behind in the region race and has the players to top Spanish Fork — if tit can survive the mugging.
Timpanogos at Mountain View (7 p.m.): The Timberwolves (0-4, 6-7) and Bruins (0-4, 1-13) share winless region records, but both have capable players and will be looking to get in the winner’s column. This could be one of the most entertaining games of the year for their fans.
Tuesday, Feb. 6
GIRLS BASKETBALL
REGION 4
American Fork at Timpanogos (7 p.m.): The Cavemen stayed close in the first game and have the ability to win this with solid interior defense and good outside shooting.
Spanish Fork at Mountain View (7 p.m.): This is a must-win for either team if they want to have a shot at a playoff berth.
REGION 7
Lehi at Timpview (5:15 p.m.): The Pioneers had a chance to beat this team the first time they played, but since then the Thunderbirds (5-1, 8-7) have made steady improvement and will be a tougher opponent.
BOYS BASKETBALL
REGION 7
Lehi at Timpview (7 p.m.): The Thunderbirds (1-4, 9-7) finally got a region victory last week and will be anxious to get more to make up some of the ground they have lost. The Pioneers will need to recall their “A” game and use their mental toughness to pull out a road win here.
Wednesday, Feb. 7
GIRLS BASKETBALL
REGION 4
Pleasant Grove at Lone Peak (5 p.m.): The Vikings kept it close for a while in the first game and would have stayed in it if they could have converted on more of their opportunities. The Knights can’t afford to be caught napping here.
BOYS BASKETBALL
REGION 4
American Fork at Timpanogos (7 p.m.): Win or lose on Friday, the Cavemen will have to get refocused quickly or the Timberwolves could steal one on their home court.
Pleasant Grove at Lone Peak (7 p.m.): Round 2 between these two teams promises to be every bit as good as the first one. Need I say morefi
Spanish Fork at Mountain View (7 p.m.): The Dons will be in the same position as the Cavemen entering this game and will need to guard against a letdown which the Bruins would be only too happy to exploit.