After a multiweek delay because of COVID-19, the 2020-2021 high school boys basketball season gets underway this week for teams teams in 6A through 1A. To prepare fans for the upcoming season, the Deseret News has put together capsules for every team in 2A. Every coach was invited to participate and submit information.
The region rankings are based on coaches preseason projections.
There are five new head basketball coaches in 2A this year: Paora Winitana (American Heritage), Sean Dalrymple (Merit Academy), Ben Anderson (Altamont), Josh Keyes (Monticello) and Darin Rhodes (Millard).
Here are the 2A teams and players to watch this upcoming season.
Region 15
1. Draper APA Eagles
Head coach: Darius Beard (fourth year).
2019-2020 record: 18-6 (first in Region 15 with a 10-0 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to North Sevier, 50-48, in the 2A quarterfinals.
Additional info not provided.
2. American Heritage Patriots
Head coach: Paora Winitana (first year).
2019-2020 record: 18-6 (second in Region 15 with an 8-2 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Beaver, 53-41, in the 2A semifinals.
Returning starters: 2.
Returning contributors:
- Paora Winitana, Sr., PG/SF, 13.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.4 spg.
- Christian Anderson, Sr., G, 3.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg, 1.9 apg, 0.8 spg.
- Max Wright, Sr., SG.
- Niwhai Winitana, Frosh., SG.
Coach comment: “We are excited to play again, hopeful we won’t have too many disruptions. Our team goal is to improve, play the best we can and leave this season knowing we gave it our all.”
3. Real Salt Lake Academy Griffins
Head coach: John Moore (second year).
2019-2020 record: 1-16 (sixth in Region 15 with a 0-10 record).
2020 postseason: Did not qualify.
Additional info not provided.
4. Merit Academy Knights
Head coach: Sean Dalrymple (first year).
2019-2020 record: 7-15 (tied for fourth in Region 15 with a 3-7 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Waterford, 72-39, in the 2A first round.
Additional info not provided.
5. Freedom Prep Academy Eagles
Head coach: Cameron Koford (second year).
2019-2020 record: 7-14 (tied for fourth in Region 15 with a 3-7 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to North Sevier, 84-39, in the 2A first round.
Additional info not provided.
6. Utah Military Camp Williams
Head coach: James Taylor (second year).
2019-2020 record: 10-13 (third in Region 15 with a 6-4 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Monticello, 58-46, in the 2A first round.
Returning starters: 2.
Returning contributors:
- Grant Pendleton, Sr., G/F, 12.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 0.9 apg, 1.8 spg.
- Luke Chhe, Sr., G, 9.1 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.4 apg, 2.2 spg.
- Gavin Campbell, Sr., G.
Coach comment: “We’re really excited to have the opportunity to play this season. We have a solid batch of seniors who have been in the program since it started and really understand what we are trying to do on the floor.”
Region 16
1. North Summit Braves
Head coach: Aaron Preece (fifth year).
2019-2020 record: 12-10 (second in Region 16 with a 7-3 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Enterprise, 58-52, in the 2A second round.
Returning starters: 4.
Returning contributors:
- Quinton Jones, Sr., F, 18.2 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 0.9 apg, 0.7 spg.
- Wade Morrel, Sr., F, 9.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.0 spg.
- Alec Hunsaker, Sr., G, 9.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.4 apg, 1.8 spg.
- Trey Pace, Jr., G, 7.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 1.0 apg, 0.9 spg.
Coach comment: “We are excited for this season. 2A basketball should have another competitive year and we hope that we can work to be a part of it this year. As a team we hope to take the experience we gained last year and make it further into the postseason.”
2. Gunnison Valley Bulldogs
Head coach: Ben Hill (10th year).
2019-2020 record: 15-7 (first in Region 16 with a 9-1 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to North Sevier, 72-66, in the 2A second round.
Returning starters: 2.
Returning contributors:
- Creed Mogle, Sr., G.
- Janzen Keisel, Sr., F.
- Zach Stewart, Sr., G.
- Harley Hill, Sr., F.
- Coach comment: “We are very grateful to get back on the court. We will have a solid group of guys returning. We have some good shooters, great length on defense and a few knuckleheads that make life even more enjoyable. I love my guys.”
3. North Sevier Wolves
Head coach: Mike Costa (second year).
2019-2020 record: 14-12 (tied for third in Region 16 with a 5-5 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Enterprise, 60-52, in the 2A semifinals.
Returning starters: 4.
Returning contributors:
- Marshall Okerlund, Sr., PG, 12.5 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 4.6 apg, 0.8 spg.
- Darian Johnson, Sr., SG, 7.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 0.6 spg.
- Brody Butler, Sr., PF, 6.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.3 apg, 1.3 spg.
- Ethan Fielding, Jr., SF, 9.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.1 apg, 0.9 spg.
Coach comment: “Excited for this upcoming season and second year as a head coach. We have great experience and great leadership returning this year. We hope to keep our momentum up and confidence coming into this season.”
4. Duchesne Eagles
Head coach: Billy Hoopes (sixth year).
2019-2020 record: 11-11 (tied for third in Region 16 with a 5-5 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Beaver, 50-47, in the 2A second round.
Additional info not provided.
5. Altamont Longhorns
Head coach: Ben Anderson (first year).
2019-2020 record: 7-14 (tied for fifth in Region 16 with a 2-8 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to St. Joseph, 61-48, in the 2A first round.
Additional info not provided.
6. Monticello Buckaroos
Head coach: Josh Keyes (first year).
2019-2020 record: 8-15 (tied for fifth in Region 16 with a 2-8 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Kanab, 85-47, in the 2A second round.
Returning starters: three.
Returning contributors:
- Cedar English, Sr., G, 13.5 ppg, 0.3 rpg.
- Devin Hatch, Jr., F, 7.4 ppg, 0.3 rpg.
- Boston Freestone, Jr., G, 6.1 ppg.
Coach comment: “We are looking forward to playing some basketball. We bring back experience with senior Cedar English and juniors Devin Hatch and Boston Freestone. It will be important for us to find a balanced approach offensively and defensively to be competitive night in and night out in a very tough region.”
Region 17
1. Layton Christian Eagles
Head Coach: Bobby Porter (20th year)
2019-2020 record: 13-16 (second in Region 17 with a 9-3 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to American Heritage, 59-52, in the 2A quarterfinals.
Returning starters: 3.
Returning contributors:
- Solumayne Barro, Soph., F, 2.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg.
- Shorn Solomon, Jr., G, 2.7 ppg, 0.9 rpg, 0.2 apg, 0.5 spg.
- Kevin Gur, Sr., C, 2.3 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 0.2 apg, 0.3 spg.
- Akeel Felix, Sr., G.
- Jarheim Elder, Sr., F.
Coach comment: “We will be quick, athletic and fun to watch.”
2. Rowland Hall Winged Lions
Head coach: Zack Alvidrez (third year).
2019-2020 record: 17-6 (first in Region 17 with a 12-0 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Layton Christian, 50-38, in the 2A second round.
Returning starters: 2.
Returning contributors:
- Sam Andrew, Jr., G, 11.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 0.6 apg, 1.2 spg.
- Ozzie Smith, Jr., G, 7.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.6 spg.
- Galib Ibrahima, Sr., G, 3.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.3 spg.
Coach comment: “We are excited for an opportunity to compete this season and to try to bring some type of normalcy to these crazy times.”
3. APA West Valley Eagles
Head coach: Mitch Argyle (fourth year).
2019-2020 record: 8-16 (fifth in Region 17 with a 4-8 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Layton Christian, 84-42, in the 2A first round.
Returning starters: 2.
Returning contributors:
- Wade Hymas, Jr., W, 14.7 ppg, 0.7 rpg, 0.4 apg, 0.4 spg.
- Kasey Norris, P, 7.3 ppg, 0.5 rpg, 0.2 apg, 0.3 spg.
- Thomas Howes, W.
- Anel Hrvat, P.
- Bryan Jones, W.
Coach cComment: “We have a great group of young men coming through our program. We will be heavy on the young part. It will be fun to see them grow as players, a team, and especially young men. They have the potential to be pretty good if we can put it all together.”
4. St. Joseph Jayhawks
Head coach: Jamaal Jenkins
2019-2020 record: 9-10 (tied for third in Region 17 with a 7-5 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Parowan, 87-55, in the 2A second round.
Additional info not provided.
5. Rockwell Marshals
Head coach: Richard Wells (second year).
2019-2020 record: 3-18 (sixth in Region 17 with a 2-10 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Duchesne, 75-56, in the 2A first round.
Returning starters: 1.
Returning contributors:
- Zack Tate, Jr., F.
- Mac Beck, Sr., G/F.
Coach comment: “I am very excited about our team this year. We are only returning one who started most games last year for us. As such we are starting from scratch and have a small lineup over all, but this group of young men show grit, energy and teamwork. What they lack in size they make up for in heart and effort. I love this young group and am looking forward to seeing them learn to play like one.”
6. Utah Military Hillfield Thunderbirds
Head coach: Sylvester Daniels (second year).
2019-2020 record: 4-16 (seventh in Region 17 with a 1-11 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Millard, 98-48, in the 2A first round.
Additional info not provided.
Region 18
1. Beaver Beavers
Head Coach: Joe Hillock (10th year).
2019-2020 Record: 16-8 (tied for second in Region 18 with a 4-4 record).
2020 postseason: Beat Enterprise, 55-49, in the 2A championship.
Returning starters: 4.
Returning contributors:
- Ky Brown, Sr., G/F, 14.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.3 apg, 1.8 spg.
- Crayton Hollingshead, Sr., G, 10.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.7 spg.
- Treyson Hunter, Sr., G/F, 2.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.3 spg.
- Jake Eichorn, Sr., C, 6.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 0.2 apg, 0.3 spg.
Coach comment: “We return four starters, and a lot of our bench returns as well. We’re excited to get going and looking forward to playing in the toughest Region (Region 18) in 2A basketball. If we can come together and stay together like we did last year, we should have a fun year.”
2. Parowan Rams
Head Coach: Lance Stubbs (ninth year).
2019-2020 Record: 16-8 (tied for 2nd in Region 18 with a 4-4 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Beaver, 40-35, in the 2A quarterfinals.
Returning starters: 2.
Returning contributors:
- Krue Stubbs, Sr., F, 15.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.2 spg.
- Shaydon Benson, Jr., C, 10.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.6 spg.
Coach comment: “Our success will depend on our ability to be tougher than our opponents.”
3. Enterprise Wolves
Head coach: Bud Randall (fourth year).
2019-2020 record: 16-10 (fourth in Region 18 with a 3-5 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Beaver, 55-49, in the 2A championship.
Additional info not provided.
4. Kanab Cowboys
Head coach: Mickey Houston (fourth year).
2019-2020 record: 20-3 (first in Region 18 with a 7-1 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to Enterprise, 48-43, in the 2A quarterfinals.
Returning starters: 1.
Returning contributors:
- Kason Janes, Soph., C, 3.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.6 apg, 0.8 spg.
Coach comment: “Will see if these kids even get to have a season with protocols from the state in place. Maybe it’s time we look at a So Utah association. This year team has a huge challenge to replace a dominant senior class last year. You will see plenty of young sophomores playing at the varsity level. We our hoping the team can jell together and continue what last year’s bunch started.”
5. Millard Eagles
Head coach: Darin Rhodes (first year).
2019-2020 record: 10-12 (fifth in Region 18 with a 2-6 record).
2020 postseason: Lost to American Heritage, 71-56, in the 2A second round.
Returning starters: 0.
Returning contributors:
- James Stephenson, Jr., C.
- Peyton Rasmussen Jr., F.
- Gavin Roper, Jr., G.
Coach comment: “We are extremely young and inexperienced, we only have a few boys that have seen any varsity time at all. Our team will consist of a few juniors and sophomores, but this is a group that enjoys playing together and has a very great upside for the future. Hopefully we can improve as the season progresses and give ourselves a chance to win some ball games. We have a tough preseason schedule and are in the tough Region 18 so that will only make us better going forward.”