Each week, Daily Herald sports experts Jared Lloyd, Darnell Dickson and Brian Preece rank the top five teams in the Utah Valley in boys and girls basketball and boys and girls wrestling (record as of Dec. 10):

Boys Basketball

1. Lehi (4-0)

Cooper Lewis averaging 28 points per game for Pioneers.

2. American Fork (4-2)

Cavemen playing state’s most challenging schedule.

3. Orem (3-1)

Tigers battled past Duncanville, Texas, on Saturday.

4. Timpanogos (7-0)

T-Wolves off to fast start for first-year coach Golden Ingle.

5. Provo (4-2)

Bulldogs ended 10-game losing streak vs. archrival Timpview.

– Darnell Dickson

Girls Basketball

1. Skyridge (4-1)

What did the Falcons learn from tough loss to Copper Hills?

2. Maple Mountain (6-1)

The Golden Eagles will be tested with Tuesday’s trip to Pleasant Grove.

3. Wasatch (5-1)

The Wasps are looking to bounce back after first loss in 2023-24.

4. Lone Peak (3-3)

Tuesday’s home game versus Copper Hills will show about just how good the Knights are.

5. Timpview (4-2)

The T’Birds have played four 6A schools so far, going 2-2.

– Jared Lloyd

Boys Wrestling

1. Pleasant Grove

Transfers Hixon Canto (Maple Mountain) and Cayaen Smith (Lone Peak) are nice additions for this powerhouse program.

2. Westlake

Thunder won Mid America Nationals in Oklahoma.

3. Spanish Fork

Dons won Wasatch Intermountain Duals in dramatic fashion.

4. Payson

Lions placed fourth at the Layton Invitational Tournament.

5. Wasatch

Wasps still a formidable power in 5A.

– Brian E. Preece

Girls Wrestling

1. Salem Hills

Skyhawks have placed second in successive tournaments.

2. Cedar Valley

Aviators score impressive wins over Uintah and Springville at the Wrestling Against Cancer Duals.

3. Westlake

Thunder still the team to beat in 6A.

4. Springville

Red Devils still remain a formidable power in the 5A ranks.

5. Wasatch

Wasps top team at Wasatch Intermountain Duals.

– Brian E. Preece

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