Semifinal picks

After a largely boring quarterfinal round (only 1 of 8 games were decided by single digits), it’s time to get down to business today. It’s semifinal time at the Dee Events Center, and here’s hoping for some good games.

Here are my picks, and Jim Rayburn and Andrew Aragon should be posting soon as well:

5A semifinal: Davis vs. Lone Peak, 2:30 p.m.

When a 22-0 team is an underdog, you know you’ve got a special game on your hand. Unfortunately for the Darts, I see their streak ending there against Lone Peak University. There’s just too much talent to overcome. I believe Lone Peak’s size will limit the effectiveness of Davis leading scorer Jackson Stevenett inside, forcing Davis to the perimeter. If the Darts knock down 45 to 50 percent of their 3-pointers maybe they can keep it close. Davis is running into what I believe will be a very, very motivated Tyler Haws, who only scored five points in the semifinals. This kid is probably the best player in the state as a junior, and he should have a monster game today. Knights by 15.

5A semifinal: Brighton vs. Bingham, 4:10 p.m..

In my opinion Brighton has the best chance of giving No. 1 Lone Peak a run for its money in the championship, but first the Bengals must get by a red-hot Bingham team that shredded Clearfield in the quarters. As much as I like how Bingham’s post players have performed, there are too many question marks at guard. Kyle Harrison is already out with a broken foot and back-up point guard T.J. Ford is questionable after injuring his hip in the quarterfinals. That puts a lot of pressure on Shad Sommerville (yes, that’s Brett Sommerville’s younger brother). Even with healthy guards, I think Brighton would win anyway. In the first half of the season I think the Bengals were too cocky for their own good. Getting blown away by Lone Peak and then losing Alta was a wake-up call. They’ve found a way to go from cocky, to confident, and it’s showed with two big wins at state. Bengals by 2.

4A semifinal: Bountiful vs. Timpview, 6 p.m.

There’s a bit of bad blood between these teams, after all Timpview beat Bountiful in the quarterfinals last year. The T-Birds packed it in on Ben Aird last year, figuring the Braves couldn’t knock down the three. They didn’t and Timpview prevailed. Bountiful coach Mike Maxwell all but guaranteed a victory if Timpview tries a similar approach. I think he’s right too. Bountiful is dangerous at most positions, and even though Timpview sophomore Bronson Kaufusi is having a heck of a tournament, Timpview’s march ends tonight. Braves by 5.

4A semifinal: Provo vs. Mountain Crest, 7:40 p.m..

One of these teams we expected to be here, but most definitely not the other. With that said, Mountain Crest deserves to be in the semis. The Mustangs play aggressive defense, rebound well and are scrappy. Sounds like their semifinal opponent, Provo. The difference is Provo is bit more talented at most positions. Mountain Crest’s only hope is to improve on its 0-of-13 shooting from 3-point range on Thursday. I’m sure they will, but not by enough to get past Provo. Bulldogs by 8.