Valley Top 5: Winter break leads to few changes heading to 2025

Brian E. Preece, Herald correspondent
Wrestlers compete during the Wrestling Against Cancer Duals at Provo High School on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024.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 (records as of Dec. 29):
Boys Basketball
1. Orem 10-2
Tigers pushed No. 7 St. Joseph (Calif.) to 2OT before a loss at Arby’s Classic.
2. Timpview 7-3
Dean Rueckert scored 85 points in four games at Tarkanian Classic.
3. Skyridge (8-2)
Falcons playing for Bronze Division title at Damien Classic.
4. Payson 10-1
Balanced scoring with Reynoso, Jenson, Swasey, Theobald and Wolfe lead Lions.
5. Timpanogos 9-1
T-Wolves headed to Nike Tournament of Champions in Arizona
— Darnell Dickson
Girls Basketball
1. Payson (8-1)
It’s been a great start for the Lions, with wins over Salem Hills and Pleasant Grove and just one out-of-state loss.
2. Provo (11-1)
The Bulldogs were tested by Lehi but held on to get their 11th win of the season.
3. Salem Hill (10-2)
The Skyhawk combo of Brooke Warren and Chenielle Nye isn’t easy to stop.
4. Wasatch (9-2)
The Wasps capped off 2024 with a big home win over Springville.
5. Westlake (6-3)
The Thunder have rebounded from a slow start to win five of their last six games.
— Jared Lloyd
Boys Wrestling
1. Westlake
Thunder still win Christmas Clash missing some key pieces.
2. Spanish Fork
Dons remain the 5A team to beat.
3. Timpanogos
Timberwolves placed second at Christmas Clash with three champs.
4. Mountain View
Bruins show well at the Reno Tournament of Champions.
5. Pleasant Grove
Viking star Bradlee Farrer places third at the Beast of the East event.
— Brian E. Preece
Girls Wrestling
1. Wasatch
Wasps place ninth out of 47 teams at the Reno Tournament of Champions.
2. Cedar Valley
Aviators crown two champs at the Christmas Clash and placed second out of 67 teams.
3. Westlake
Rarick sisters bolster Thunder lineup.
4. Salem Hills
Skyhawks still a threat to Wasatch and Cedar Valley in 5A title chase.
5. Springville
Red Devils place 14th as a team at the Christmas Clash.
— Brian E. Preece