The Region 7 boys basketball season is right about to start, with the first games being on Tuesday, November 22nd. A lot has changed for these teams since last year, including the addition of a 35-second shot clock, which may result in higher-scoring games, as winning teams will be unable to hold the ball for extended periods of time. Without further delay, here is the team-by-team preview for the 2022-2023 Region 7 Boys Basketball season.
Cedar Valley
2022 Record: 12-9
The Cedar Valley Aviators were a good team last year. They averaged 53.7 points, 10.4 assists, and 7.7 offensive rebounds per game. They also had 8.8 steals, 17 defensive rebounds, and 2.9 blocks per game, which certainly helped them in their wins.
The Aviators lost three seniors from last year: Dallin Rupper, Lincoln Roberts, and Jackson Rose. Rupper contributed 8.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, Roberts had 8.7 points and three rebounds per game, and Rose totaled 11.6 points, and 7.5 rebounds, with 1.2 blocks per game.
Under Head Coach Blake Pugmire, Cedar Valley will attempt to improve its record with a mix of newer guys and older guys. The Aviators will begin their season on Tuesday, November 22nd at 7 PM against the Provo Bulldogs at UVU.
Cottonwood
2022 Record: 15-9
The Cottonwood Colts had a great season last year. They averaged 63.5 points, 15.3 assists, 30.5 rebounds, and 3.1 blocks per game last year. They had some quality wins and no embarrassing losses.
However, the Colts did lose seven seniors to graduation last year. Most notable were Noah Wilderburg and Robbie Yates. Wilderburg had 12.3 points, five rebounds, and 5.7 assists per game, while Yates had 14.1 and 3.8 rebounds per game.
Under Head Coach Marc Miller, Cottonwood is looking to build upon the younger guys they have on their team to propel them to victory. The Colts will begin their season when they square off against the Mountain View Bruins on November 28th at 6 PM in Orem.
Hillcrest
2022 Record: 6-18
The Hillcrest Huskies did not have a good season last year. They averaged 56.4 points, 23 rebounds, 12.5 assists, and 6.8 steals per game. They may have had some good stats, but the Huskies were often in foul trouble and had a few too many turnovers.
The Huskies lost eight seniors from last year. However, only the loss of Matthew Oryang will have a lasting impact. He had 14.5 points and 5.7 rebounds per game.
Under Heach Coach Brandon Sluga, Hillcrest will definitely be looking for improvement from last year. The Huskies will start their season on the road, when they play the Herriman Mustangs on Tuesday, November 22nd at 7 PM.
Payson
2022 Record: 21-3
The Payson Lions had a fantastic season last year! They averaged 62.4 points, 25.6 rebounds 12.9 assists, and nine steals per game. The steals defensively and the points and assists offensively definitely played a large role.
The Lions lost five seniors last year. However, only Zach Robbins really stood out. Robbins had 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 2.6 steals per game.
Under Head Coach Anthony Mitchell, Payson will be looking to repeat their season last year, and make it further in the playoffs. They’ll begin their Region Champion defense season on Tuesday, November 22nd at Salem Hills.
Stansbury
2022 Record: 16-8
The Stansbury Stallions had a good season last year. They averaged 60.8 points, 32.6 rebounds, 12.5 assists, and 6.9 steals per game. They certainly had the pieces to put together a really good season but were unable to.
The Stallions lost eight seniors last year. Seven of them played in regular rotation, but only three had really good stats worth mentioning: Matthew Topham, Logan Richins, and Landen Giles. Topham had 9.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Richins had 16 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, which was the most in Utah Class 5A last year. Giles had 15.1 points and 5.4 assists per game.
Under Head Coach Joe White, Stansbury will be vying to compete with Payson for the Region Championship and make a good run in the playoffs with a completely new varsity squad. We’ll see what the Stallions can do when they play Judge Memorial on Tuesday, November 22nd at 7 PM.
Tooele
2022 Record: 2-22
The Tooele Buffaloes had a bad season last year. They averaged just 49.6 points, 25 rebounds, and 5.3 steals. They did not win a single region game, either.
The Buffaloes lost only two seniors last year. Julian Mahoe had 13.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game.
Under Head Coach Jed Thomas, Tooele will be trying to craft a way to win this season. The Buffaloes will certainly be an interesting team to watch this season. They will begin their season against the Ridgeline Riverhawks on Tuesday, November 22nd at 7 PM in Millville.
Uintah
2022 Record: 11-12
The Uintah Utes did not have the greatest season last year. They averaged only 53.6 points, 26.4 rebounds, 11 assists, and 7.3 steals per game.
The Utes had six senior graduates, but star Josh Speirs was the best and most notable. Speris had 18.9 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.
Under Head Coach Brandon Johnson, Uintah will be looking to replace the hole left by Speirs, and begin winning more. The Utes will start their campaign for a winning season against Union on Tuesday, November 22nd at 7 PM.
Payson is definitely the favorite to win the region again this year. Overall, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some incredible seasons from Stansbury, Tooele, and Cedar Valley. Anything can happen in High School basketball. We can analyze stats and make as many predictions as we want, but in the end, we’ll just have to see how it all plays out.
Featured image credit: Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald