February Frenzy — Uncertainty reigns going into 4A, 5A hoops tourneys

Well, it isn't March Madness, but this year even those people who follow girls high school basketball with a magnifying glass would have a nearly impossible time filling out their brackets with much confidence.

Fans in both Utah County regions have witnessed so many upsets and ups and downs with their teams, it's tough to say with any certainty which teams will come through when it counts the most. But some teams have been coming on strong late in the season, while others are holding onto playoff positioning by the bootstraps of early season success.

But at state anything can happen in either the 4A or 5A ranks. Timpview proved that last year with the quarterfinal upset of Mountain View, giving everyone who watched a reason to believe in miracles.

All Utah County teams will go into their respective tournaments with chances at making their own miracles come true this season.

Region 4

NO. 1 — MOUNTAIN VIEW BRUINS: After all the mid-season confusion and a few subpar performances from the perennial favorites, the Bruins seem to be getting themselves back on track just in time for the playoffs. Though they nearly went down in overtime to Lone Peak, lost an emotional one at Timpanogos and almost dropped a shocker to Spanish Fork, the Bruins have come back with typically strong performances against all the tough competition in Region 4, all with new head coach Laura Romo taking over for 18-year coach Dave Houle midway through the season.

The Bruins have an impenetrable defense that fuels their offense and an inside-out attack that would make any team envious. Michelle Harrison can play four positions, rebound, block shots and shoot with confidence, and Maylene Ornelas is a take-no-prisoners point guard that refuses to allow her team to lose.

This year, like last, however, the Bruins will see stiff competition from northern teams like Brighton and Bingham and could once again run into the tough competitors from their own league down the line in the playoffs. Nothing will come easy for anyone this year. Every round will be a dogfight, though the Bruins are once again playing like the Mountain View everyone is used to seeing.

NO. 2 — TIMPANOGOS TIMBERWOLVES: Though the Timberwolves rolled through most of the season, they've suffered a loss of momentum the past couple of weeks with losses to both Mountain View and Lone Peak. If they continue on the downward slide, they could lose in the second round of the playoffs, but if they work their old magic, this team has the goods to go all the way.