Thursday picks

What is going on with Utah high school basketball this year? It’s almost alarming how predictable this week has been so far.

You know things are strange when I’ve picked 12 of 13 games correctly in the tournament. I did miss badly on Clearfield, but I figured I needed to pick at least one upset yesterday. We didn’t get one. Not even close.

Remember 2004? That’s when most brackets that had been filled out by people in 4A and 5A were shredded by now. Region 2, supposedly the state’s strongest league, got just one team in the semifinals. Upset after upset occurred in 4A, with the big one being powerhouse Timpview losing to Bonneville in the quarterfinals.

This year is the complete opposite. Really, there isn’t anything wrong with the lack of upsets so far. I guess it just shows that the elite teams are a few levels above everyone else this season.

On to the picks:

Woods Cross vs. Mountain Crest: I saw the first meeting between the two teams when the Mustangs ended the Wildcats’ 10-game win streak. Mountain Crest then won the rematch in Hyrum. Both of the Mustangs’ victories over Woods Cross came by five points.

So will Mountain Crest make it three in a row?

I don’t think so. Woods Cross ended its three-game losing streak by beating a tough Olympus team in the first round and looks to be back on track. Mountain Crest is an awfully tough team, but I see Holton Hunsaker, Tyler Stahle or Patrick Day making a big play late in the game to pull it out for Woods Cross. Wildcats by 3

Pine View vs. Provo: I’ve been hesitant to pick a blowout so far. That changes here. The Panthers had to make an unbelievable comeback to beat Highland in the first round, and the level of competition increases here. Provo rolls to the semifinals. Bulldogs by 16

Timpview vs. Snow Canyon: This is the toughest game to call today. Both teams were impressive in the first round. Both teams had tremendous size advantages in the first round. They seem to be even in just about every aspect.

So, in a close game, I’ll go with the team that’s been here before in 4A and that’s Timpview. The T-birds are on a roll, and will prevail in what should be the best game of the day. T-birds by 2

Murray vs. Bountiful: I really like how hard both teams play and how well they play together. That being said, there are two reasons why I like the Braves to win: Ben Aird and Travis Parrish. Aird, who got 28 and 10 against Granger, will likely put up similar numbers here. Parrish, a tremendous defender, will guard Markus Duran and limit his effectiveness. Braves by 7