All the hard work, blood, sweat and tears you’ve put in have brought you to this point.

Trust in yourself and your teammates; go out there and let your light shine bright!

Who is ready to step up?

I’ll break down which teams I feel have a shot at winning it all and the players that will lead them there:

5A teams

Cedar Valley is led by Olivia Kaaihue, Naomi Nicholson and Eve Schmalbeck. They have carried this team to a 10-1 finish to capture the Region 7 crown. In just its third year, head coach Tony Ingle has this team ready to compete and make some noise.

Timpview is the hottest team right now on a nine-game winning streak. The Thunderbirds had a tough game Thursday night vs Lehi but with a win, they would capture the Region 8 title (or tie with a loss). The T-birds have been playing tough defense and have turned it on with the strong inside play of Maddie Edgington and Brooke Eyre and the outside scoring of Hinemoa Aston.

Lehi, which is on a six-game win streak, would clinch a tie for the Region 8 title with a win. The Pioneers look to avenge their last loss, which was also to Timpview. The speed and athleticism of Maci Wall and Jamisyn Heaton and the steady play of Tera Smith, Sammi Love, Brooklyn Wiltbank and Addy Scrivner will take this group a long way. If they rebound and take care of the ball, this team will be dangerous.

Springville has been on a tear in Region 9 and is undefeated. This is a tough and disciplined defensive squad. Kayla Porray, Ellie Esplin and Brooke Pennington have formed a three-headed monster that has led this group to another championship run. Can they find the magic again and repeat?

Maple Mountain has started to develop some rhythm, only losing to Springville in region play. Sheridan Liggett has been playing well in her last eight games, averaging 24 points per game, with a high of 37. She’s going to need to stay hot to give the Golden Eagles a chance for a deep tourney run.

My sleeper in 5A is Orem. The Tigers are playing their best ball so far. If they can find a way to stay focused, they have the pieces to make it. Seniors Gaby Goo, Bricia Hendry and London Richards have found their groove, and the youngsters, Rayli Galeai and Ady Hiatt, have paved their path right next to them. Look out for the Tigers if they get hot.

Other teams to watch in 5A: Olympus, Highland, Bountiful and Jordan

6A teams

Lone Peak has been the most consistent team I’ve seen this year and has the skill, toughness and speed to go all the way. It’ll be hard to match the speed and skill of the Knight guards. Makeili Ika and Shawnee Nordstrom push the ball up the court, and Kailey Woolston, Teuila Nawahine and Naia Tanuvasa run and space the floor. They have five girls that can score on all three levels, and they all play defense. If Sarah Bartholomew can rebound and control the paint this will be a tough out in the state tourney.

Westlake has the experience and size to do it as wekk. Tessa Chaney and Jill Lungren will need to take care of business inside while Kaylee Headrick and Siona Sauvao handle the ball on the perimeter. They’re all interchangeable in head coach Mike O’Connor’s system and can all play inside and out.

Skyridge is my sleeper of the tourney. This team is just tough and plays hard on both ends. They pick you up full court and play passing lanes better than any team. They push the ball and attack the basket, but are also not afraid to pull from 3. The guard play of Teagan Gray, Cambree Blackham, Shaeley Toole, Bella Sika and Donya Perkins are what makes this team go. If they can cause chaos on defense and hit some 3s I like these girls to make a deep run in the tourney.

Other teams to watch in 6A: Fremont, Bingham and Herriman.

2A teams

American Heritage needs to get Holly Brockbank going from 3 and Hannah VanDarBeek needs to rebound and score inside. Coach Paora Winitana has his team playing disciplined and hard. They just need to make shots and make plays defensively to move on.

Rockwell will count on their senior leaders to carry them. If Ellie Anderson and Jenna Bond can control the paint with rebounding and inside scoring and get Greta Robinson some open looks from 3, they’ll make some noise.

Whether I picked you or didn’t, go out there and make a name for yourself and represent your school, community, family and team proud.

Everyone has a chance to win it all. You need to go out there and take it because it won’t be given to you.

This is the time when stars will shine and new stars will be born. I’m excited to watch them ball out and see who steps up!

My picks for the state tourneys:

1A: Piute vs Tabiona. Piute goes back to back.

2A: Beaver vs Kanab. Beaver takes down Kanab and Coach Marshall gets his 10th Championship.

3A: Judge Memorial vs Richfield. Judge stays perfect and wins the first State Championship in school history.

4A: Ridgeline vs Desert Hills. Ridgeline takes down Desert Hills for their first State Championship in school history.

5A: Lehi vs Timpview. Lehi wins their first State title since 1980.

6A: Lone Peak vs Fremont. Lone Peak completes their perfect season.