Region 4 basketball

I promised Region 4 fans that I’d give my thoughts this week on how I see their basketball leagues shaking out. For those who wonder why I am doing this and not analyzing other regions, keep in mind that I am the Utah County sports editor and most of my stories, columns and blogs usually have a Utah County theme to them, but not always.
The boys:
Before I watched Spanish Fork give Pleasant Grove a scare last week, I figured Region 4 was a two-team race. Honestly, without Kevin Roberts (done with torn ACL) I didn’t think the Dons would be the same team. I was wrong. Back-up center, now starter, Juan Vergara was outstanding. Spanish Fork easily could have won that game.
Does that mean I now put Spanish Fork in the same category as Lone Peak and Pleasant Grove? Not quite. The Dons played their best game of the year, and I don’t think the Vikings did. And I don’t think either team can handle Lone Peak’s height, especially when they also have to find a way to stop Knights guard Tyler Haws.
Of course, both play Lone Peak this week, so they could quickly prove me wrong. If they do, this season will be painfully exciting to watch right to the final game.
In my opinion, this Lone Peak team is just as good as last year’s team. This is Pleasant Grove’s best team in more than a decade. And this is Spanish Fork’s best team for longer than that. But, only one can win the league, and all will have some very tough competition at state with 5A being very strong and loaded this season.
American Fork, Lehi and Timpanogos will fight for that fourth and final playoff spot. Whichever team can win a game or two on the road, especially when they’re playing one of these three, will get that spot. Also, if one of the three can stun either Lone Peak, Pleasant Grove or Spanish Fork at home, that might do it. And I wouldn’t be surprised to see that happen.
The girls:
I really expected the girls race to be comparable to the boys race. I don’t feel that way any longer. American Fork has all the weapons. The Cavemen, with wins over Skyline and Lone Peak, showed me that they are the real deal. They are confident and exciting to watch. And they are having a blast, and that’s what I love seeing the most in prep sports. I would be shocked if they lose a region game and I fully expect them to be in the Final Four at state.
Now that Timpanogos has already upset Lone Peak on the road, the real question is which team will be runner-up? I still like the Knights. No disrespect intended to the T-Wolves, because that was a great win. I just think that overall, Timpanogos is more prone to being upset from here on out – which will balance out that loss. Whichever team wins the rematch will get that second spot.
So which team will get the final playoff spot? My money, fake money of course, goes on Spanish Fork. With Jenna Johnson back in the lineup they have more overall firepower than Pleasant Grove and Lehi. The Dons also now have the upperhand by beating the Vikings on the road last week.

Here’s how I think Region 4 basketball will finish up. I welcome your comments.

Boys
1.Lone Peak
2.Pleasant Grove
3.Spanish Fork
4.Timpanogos
5.American Fork
6.Lehi

Girls
1.American Fork
2.Lone Peak
3.Timpanogos
4.Spanish Fork
5.Pleasant Grove
6.Lehi