5A girls basketball state tournament capsules

Note: Enter to win a $50 Amazon gift card in our 5A Playoffs Hoops Picks contest.

All eyes on Syracuse heading into this year’s 5A girls basketball state tournament. The undefeated Titans are the overwhelming favorite to claim the state title, but that was the case last year as well when Alta shocked Syracuse in the championship game. Layton, Lone Peak, Alta and Riverton are among the teams hoping to be the spoiler this year.

Here’s a team-by-team look at 15 of the 16 teams in the state tournament, and what to expect. We’ll and a write up about the Region 2 No. 4 seed after their play-in game on Friday night:

Alta Hawks (16-5)

Coach: Kristin Jensen

How qualified: Finished first in Region 3 with a 10-0 record

Playoff opener: vs. Davis, Tuesday, 12:50 p.m. (At SLCC)

Best preseason victory: A 46-42 win against Riverton on Dec. 8.

Best region victory: A 57-47 win at Brighton on Jan. 10.

Top contributors

Makenzi Morrison, Sr., Guard (22.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 4.2 apg, 4.4 spg)

Abbie Simons, Sr., Forward (8.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.1 apg, 2.1 spg)

Chloe Ferre, So., Guard (7.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 0.6 apg, 0.5 spg)

Lauren Garland, Jr., Guard (6.5 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.6 spg)

Jessica Butler, Sr., Forward (3.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 0.3 apg, 1.1 spg)

Scoring offense: 56.4 ppg (2nd in 5A)

Scoring defense: 49.8 ppg (20th in 5A)

Last state championship: 2011

Prep editor James Edward’s bracket: Loss to American Fork in quarterfinals.

American Fork Cavemen (12-7)

Coach: Corey Clayton

How qualified: Finished third in Region 4 with a 6-4 record

Playoff opener: vs. Hunter, Tuesday, 2:30 p.m. (At SLCC)