High school basketball: Orem boys the class of Class 4A

Following a disappointing 7-15 season a year ago, Orem High coach Golden Holt had a vision for what he believed could turn the program around. It entailed a lot of work and roughly 60 summer league games, but his players bought into his master plan, and so far it's worked.

The Tigers are off to a 6-1 start this preseason, including a marquee win over Lone Peak a few weeks ago, and they're the boys basketball team everyone is gunning for in 4A this year.

"Orem I think is head and shoulders above everybody else," said Bountiful coach Mike Maxwell, whose Braves are ranked second in 4A.

That's music to coach Holt's ears as he tries to lead Orem to its first basketball title in school history.

"Orem has needed a big dose of believing. What we've done in the summer and what we've done so far in the preseason, we're starting to believe in ourselves as a school and a basketball program and as a team right now. I like where we're at," said Holt. "But there's still a lot of work to do and I'm glad we've got 14 games to do it."

After Orem though, Class 4A is littered with uncertainty.

As many as a dozen teams seem capable of becoming relevant with region play getting underway in the next two weeks.

"It's pretty much wide open in 4A, and it's ready for someone to step up and challenge Orem," said Sky View coach Kirk Hillyard.

A year ago, most of the contenders were senior loaded, and now those usual suspects are in the midst of trying to get things figured out.

Bountiful, last year's runner-up, has five new starters. Defending champion Highland has one returning starter, as does Olympus and Woods Cross. In fact, of last year's quarterfinalists, only Sky View and Springville return much experience.

Region 5 favorite Sky View returns three starters, while Region 8 contender Springville returns three as well.

Then there's fringe teams like Logan, Mountain Crest, Bonneville, Skyline, Murray and Timpview, who all have at least one quality win that makes you believe they're capable of big things down the road.

"When you get into region and they count and teams have scouted you and they're prepared for you, it's a whole different game," said Maxwell. "I think we're all going to find some lumps ahead of us, and the team that can whether those best and improve is the team who will come out on top in the end."