Revenge is steaming hot in this week's high school games to watch

LEHI — The second round of region play is underway, and the playoff and region title race is beginning to sort itself out.

Here are five big games to watch this week as the calendar turns from January to February.

Boys: Pinnacle vs. Whitehorse (Tues., 7 p.m. MST)

Two of the top scorers in the state of Utah are center stage Tuesday night as Pinnacle's Cole Barton, the leading scorer in the state with 26.6 points per game, will face off against Whitehorse's Lyric Phillips, tied for second in the state in scoring with Lehi's Cooper Lewis, averaging 25.5 points a game.

The two locked horns in a memorable double-overtime duel on Jan. 5 as Barton's 32 points was outdone by Phillips' 43 points, and both teams answered surge after surge in an 81-77 Raiders road victory.

Despite the two-man show, expect the teams to spread the wealth more. Pinnacle's Joey Howell (20 points) and Whitehorse's Dominic Dance (16 points) were the only other players to break double figures in the previous meeting.

Boys: Rowland Hall vs. American Leadership (Wed., 7 p.m. MST)

In the Eagles' 68-56 loss at Rowland Hall, American Leadership forward Grant Jackson was not healthy. Now at full-strength, ALA will get their second chance at the Region 17 leaders Wednesday night in a game that could decide the region title and a chance for at least one home game in the playoffs.

Ronnie Ross' multi-pronged attack was on full display against Waterford and St. Joseph, so expect more of the same against the Winged Lions. Four players, including Jackson, scored in double figures in Friday's win against the Jayhawks.

It also helps that the Eagles will be on their floor in front of what's expected to be a full house.

"I love all the people cheering and the noise," ALA guard Jaxon Hunter said. "It makes it so much more fun to play."

Boys: West Jordan vs. Juan Diego (Tues., 7 p.m. MST)

Christian Wouden has done something extraordinary since taking over West Jordan basketball. He finds himself and the Jaguars on top of the region, aiming for their first region title in four seasons, with guard Colton Blackham leading the charge. He averages 13.8 points and 5.5 assists per game.

To clinch the crown, the Jaguars must go through the Soaring Eagles, who boast the best post player in the classification in 6-foot-8 Luke Meyer, and Caden Fenger, one of the best wings in 5A.

The last time Blackham and Meyer matched each other with double-doubles as West Jordan got the 1-point overtime win at home, 62-61. Now on Juan Diego's home floor, this is a big opportunity for West Jordan to get a win in hostile territory, while the Soaring Eagles are looking to catch the Jaguars in the region title race.

Girls: Timpview vs. Wasatch (Tues., 5:15 p.m. MST)

It's No. 1 against No. 3 in the 5A girls Tuesday night as the Thunderbirds and Wasps square off in what could very well be a state championship game preview.

Ever since their 57-50 loss to Timpview on Jan. 3, Wasatch has been ruthlessly beating opponents by over 15 points, with the exception of a 57-53 loss to Corner Canyon. Ashley Garner and Peyton Benthke are the two-pronged attack that has been driving the Wasps offense, which has clearly circled this game in dark red on their calendar.

The Thunderbirds, on the other hand, have used its defense to grind out victories since that win, making them one of the best in 5A at that end of the floor.

That defense has been anchored by Lina Ballin, whose quick hands have yielded her 48 total steals this season, an average of three steals a game. She also averages 13.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, which makes her one of the most complete players in the state.

Girls: Fremont vs. Davis (Fri., 5:15 p.m. MST)

One of the premier coaching rivalries in 6A on Friday pits Fremont's Lisa Dalebout against Davis' Anne Jones, two of the best coaches in the state. It also pits two of the most dominant 6A Region 1 teams in the last decade against each other in a face-off for second place, with the winner asserting themselves as the main challenger to the Syracuse Titans.

The only question is if Fremont can halt the Kendra Kitchen onslaught.

In their last meeting, Kitchen put up a 31-point, 11-rebound double-double, outscoring the entire offensive output of the Silverwolves (Fremont scored only 28 total points on the night). It will take a combined effort offensively and defensively from Dalebout's crew to halt the Darts, and being on the road makes it all the more challenging.

But with their championship pedigree, don't count them out till the end.

See the full schedule for this week in high school boys basketball here, and for girls, click here.

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