UHSAA Bracketology: 5A Predictions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There's something about trying to predict the unpredictable that never gets old. Every March, I fill out my NCAA tournament brackets, convinced that this would be the year to keep my first round picks at 100%, or at least pick better than my students. Every year, I still enjoy the tradition and the friendly competition with my students that comes with trying to forecast how it will all unfold. So...Why keep that energy limited to the college game?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A few years ago, I started doing the same thing with the UHSAA State Tournament when my daughter played. Since then, it's become a yearly ritual to download a blank bracket for at least 6A, and map out how I think the postseason will play out. The beauty of high school basketball is that nothing is guaranteed — matchups, momentum, and late-season improvements can flip expectations in a hurry. Underdogs do make it to the finals and sometimes come away the winners, hoisting the trophy and cutting down nets. Still, breaking down the teams and making those predictions adds another layer of excitement to tournament time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>I've included a link to a blank UHSAA bracket for anyone who wants to jump in, along with my projected winners round by round. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Whether your picks survive or fall apart early, it's all part of what makes tournament season so much fun.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/tournament/WcIoMB8rb0OMGCQD7LTkiA/4vCJM4jhpE2OdmNIzsYX1w/girls-basketball-25-26/2026-%e2%80%a2-uhsaa-girls-basketball-state-championships-5a-girls-basketball-championship.htm"><strong>UHSAA 5A Bracket</strong></a></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Playoffs - Thursday, Feb 19</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fremont</strong> over Spanish Fork</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Alta</strong> over Skyline</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasant Grove</strong> over Bonneville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Springville</strong> over West Jordan</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bountiful</strong> over Timpview</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maple Mountain</strong> over Olympus</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West</strong> over Payson</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Wasatch</strong> over Clearfield</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Quarterfinals - Monday, Feb 23</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Fremont</strong> over Alta</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasant Grove</strong> over Springville</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West</strong> over Wasatch</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bountiful</strong> over Maple Mountain</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Semifinals - Thursday, Feb 26</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West</strong> over Bountiful</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Pleasant Grove</strong> over Fremont</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Championship - Friday, Feb 27 (1pm)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West </strong> over Pleasant Grove</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->