Games to Catch This Week – December 15-19

<!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|primary"}}}},"textColor":"primary"} --> <p class="has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color">Want to see the full article? Use code <strong>Ziter50 f</strong>or half off your first billing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Tuesday - Dec. 16</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Provo (6-4) at American Fork (5-3)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two teams that have taken a few losses to quality opponents meet Tuesday night in American Fork, each bringing a different set of strengths to the floor. American Fork's edge lies in its versatility, with players who can slide into multiple roles and score from a variety of spots. [player_tooltip player_id='1249685' first='Julia' last='Fugal'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1051328' first='Jalise' last='Chatman'] headline that group, capable of handling the ball, attacking mismatches, and creating offense wherever they're needed. Provo's roles are more clearly defined, with the Yenchik sisters anchoring the guard play and the forwards operating more traditionally inside. If American Fork can pull Provo's bigs away from the paint and force them to defend on the perimeter, it could tilt the matchup in AF's favor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>American Fork Impactful Players:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1249685' first='Julia' last='Fugal'], [player_tooltip player_id='1051328' first='Jalise' last='Chatman'], [player_tooltip player_id='1240502' first='Morgan' last='Felix'], Maya Durrant, [player_tooltip player_id='1542894' first='Brooke' last='Grunander'], [player_tooltip player_id='1325017' first='Taylor' last='Jensen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1306836' first='Sarah' last='Jacob'], Allison Brown</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Provo Impactful Players:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='873280' first='Sage' last='Yenchik'], [player_tooltip player_id='938372' first='Lydia' last='Ibarra'], [player_tooltip player_id='921388' first='Valaria' last='Martinez'], [player_tooltip player_id='1246445' first='Mia' last='Martinez'], [player_tooltip player_id='931426' first='Asha' last='Aletto'], [player_tooltip player_id='1235143' first='Ember' last='Yenchik'], Chante Tuilevuka, [player_tooltip player_id='1277738' first='Emma' last='Martin']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Skyridge (4-3) and Mountain Ridge (5-1)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Mountain Ridge is rolling right now, with its only loss coming to Lone Peak, and they look like a tough out for anyone they face. Both squads bring guard-heavy lineups built on pressure defense, quick ball movement, and the ability to score from multiple spots on the floor. The deciding factor may come down to whether Skyridge has an answer for [player_tooltip player_id='796847' first='Jessica' last='Maynard']. Other teams have shown that stopping her doesn't necessarily require matching her size, but it does require discipline and physicality. Maynard's length has been Mountain Ridge's counter to quick guards, allowing her to close out hard and force difficult shot angles. Whether [player_tooltip player_id='875188' first='Elena' last='Chiara'] can find clean looks and stay effective under that kind of pressure could ultimately swing this matchup.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mountain</strong> <strong>Ridge</strong> <strong>Impactful Players:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='796847' first='Jessica' last='Maynard'], [player_tooltip player_id='866703' first='Jada' last='Jangard'], [player_tooltip player_id='805788' first='Kaylee' last='Montgomery'], [player_tooltip player_id='805789' first='Cailin' last='Kehl'], [player_tooltip player_id='805791' first='Sadie' last='Madsen'], [player_tooltip player_id='805790' first='McKinley' last='Stowell'], [player_tooltip player_id='805787' first='Josephine' last='Lombardi']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Skyridge</strong> <strong>Impactful Players:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='875188' first='Elena' last='Chiara'], Hallee Sheffield, Lily Grant, [player_tooltip player_id='1452552' first='Abby' last='Dotson'], [player_tooltip player_id='1275033' first='Aiden' last='Beck'], Leah Arnell, [player_tooltip player_id='1452554' first='Kayah' last='Perkins'], [player_tooltip player_id='866616' first='Arianne' last='Moeai']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1,"style":{"elements":{"link":{"color":{"text":"var:preset|color|primary"}}}},"textColor":"primary"} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading has-primary-color has-text-color has-link-color">Game of the Week</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Lone Peak (4-3) at Pleasant Grove (8-0)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This is a true heavyweight matchup, pitting the No. 1 team in the state against No. 2, and it's one worth tuning into even if you're watching remotely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://kslsports.com/stream">https://kslsports.com/stream</a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The swing factor in this game is the guard-forward dynamic. Lone Peak doesn't have a true answer for [player_tooltip player_id='873276' first='Sutton' last='Villa'], who leads the state in blocks and has been nearly untouchable around the rim. Where Lone Peak can counter is by attacking downhill, putting pressure on the defense, and living at the free-throw line. If they can keep the game out of the paint, rebound long misses, and avoid Villa's rim protection, they give themselves a path to stay competitive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='873282' first='Charli' last='Warner'] and Maddie Pope have stepped up recently for Lone Peak and will need to continue that momentum. On the other end, slowing [player_tooltip player_id='796796' first='Tabitha' last='Clark'] will be critical. She leads her team in scoring, is comfortable shooting through pressure, and is especially dangerous in the mid-range, where she consistently makes defenses pay.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lone Peak Impactful Players:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='796745' first='Kennedy' last='Woolston'], [player_tooltip player_id='804252' first='Madeline' last='Pope'], [player_tooltip player_id='873282' first='Charli' last='Warner'], [player_tooltip player_id='952625' first='Peyton' last='Warner'], [player_tooltip player_id='673099' first='Tatiana' last='Harness'], [player_tooltip player_id='875181' first='Huni' last='Folau'], Jamie King, [player_tooltip player_id='849040' first='Lave' last='Holdcraft'], [player_tooltip player_id='1378344' first='Portia' last='Boggess']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasant Grove Impactful Players:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='796796' first='Tabitha' last='Clark'], [player_tooltip player_id='873276' first='Sutton' last='Villa'], [player_tooltip player_id='796499' first='Janiece' last='Sikander'], [player_tooltip player_id='796473' first='Zuri' last='Nordstrom'], [player_tooltip player_id='879706' first='Cash' last='Connors'], [player_tooltip player_id='1246467' first='Ruby' last='Mosman'], [player_tooltip player_id='875195' first='Aaliyah' last='Sikander'], [player_tooltip player_id='1258737' first='Ma'ele' last='Tuiasoa'], [player_tooltip player_id='1049025' first='Amaiya' last='Kennerly']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":1} --> <h1 class="wp-block-heading">Friday - Dec. 19</h1> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In what could be a matchup of some top teams in their classification, Friday's games have the top two teams in 3A meeting and two of the top three in 2A playing each other.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Delta (6-1) at Morgan (3-6)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What the records suggest on paper won't fully reflect what this game looks like on the floor Friday night. Morgan comes in below .500, but those losses have come in tight contests against legitimate 4A–6A competition. This is a matchup between the No. 2 and No. 3 teams in 3A, and Morgan has shown it's far from a one-dimensional group. Multiple players have stepped into bigger roles this season, making them difficult to scout and game-plan for on a night-to-night basis. [player_tooltip player_id='889503' first='Zoe' last='Rockenfield'] has already knocked down 20 three-pointers, many from well beyond the arc, forcing defenses to extend and opening up driving lanes for others. That perimeter pressure could put Delta on its heels. Delta, meanwhile, hasn't faced a particularly demanding preseason schedule, which may give Morgan an edge in game readiness. [player_tooltip player_id='1230559' first='Joslyn' last='Christiansen'] remains Delta's focal point offensively, and if Morgan can limit her touches and disrupt [player_tooltip player_id='1311334' first='Madison' last='Eliason']'s ability to get her the ball, that defensive execution could ultimately decide the outcome.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Morgan Impactful Players:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='829853' first='Makayla' last='Williams'], [player_tooltip player_id='889503' first='Zoe' last='Rockenfield'], [player_tooltip player_id='1363933' first='Bella' last='Nelson'], Kamryn Wardell, Kendal Williams, Joyce Odum</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong> Delta Impactful Players:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1230559' first='Joslyn' last='Christiansen'], [player_tooltip player_id='1311334' first='Madison' last='Eliason'], Raynee Western, Raygan Callister, Kylan Bunker, [player_tooltip player_id='1380885' first='Kambri' last='Mecham']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Beaver (6-0) at NorthSummit (7-2)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two 2A contenders collide on Friday, and both squads have plenty on the line. Beaver enters unbeaten, while North Summit's losses have come against bigger, higher-classification teams. [player_tooltip player_id='1119385' first='Ellie' last='Stephens'] is the focal point for the Braves, leading her team in both scoring and rebounding, and much of Beaver's game plan will revolve around how to contain her. If Beaver can crowd her touches, box her out, and limit second-chance opportunities, they could tilt the game in their favor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Where Beaver may separate itself is in its balance. With contributors like [player_tooltip player_id='1308537' first='Ruby' last='Lurth'] and [player_tooltip player_id='790608' first='Danzee' last='Bradshaw'], plus several others capable of stepping up, Beaver doesn't rely on just one option. That depth makes them difficult to scout and defend. This matchup should offer a clear measuring stick for both teams — and give the rest of the 2A field a strong sense of what to prepare for moving forward.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Beaver</strong> <strong>Impactful Players:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1308537' first='Ruby' last='Lurth'], [player_tooltip player_id='790608' first='Danzee' last='Bradshaw'], [player_tooltip player_id='1308536' first='Brittni' last='Crum'], [player_tooltip player_id='1308535' first='Britlee' last='Bastian'], Aspen Evans, Braylee Carter, Brylee Sorenson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>North</strong> <strong>Summit</strong> <strong>Impactful Players:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='1119385' first='Ellie' last='Stephens'], [player_tooltip player_id='1415963' first='Kate' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='1248746' first='Chayden' last='Sargent'], Quinci Vernon, Lydia West, [player_tooltip player_id='1239829' first='Amy' last='Tholen']</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->