As the 2024-2025 Utah high school basketball season progresses, two teams—Hurricane and Kanab—are showcasing strong performances in their respective regions. Both teams have demonstrated competitive strengths and emerging standout players, making for an exciting matchup in the state’s basketball landscape.

Hurricane High School Basketball: A Solid Start

Hurricane’s basketball team enters the season with a 4-3 overall record. While their road performance has been slightly inconsistent, with a 1-3 record away from home, they have proven formidable at home with a perfect 3-0 record. Their overall win percentage stands at .571, highlighting a solid start to the season.

One of the team’s key strengths is its offensive production, averaging 66 points per game, with consistent scoring throughout the four quarters. In their games, Hurricane averages 15.7 points in the first quarter, 16.4 in the second, 16.9 in the third, and 17.0 in the final quarter. This balanced scoring spread demonstrates their ability to sustain momentum and execute throughout the game.

Key Player: Brigham Kemp Brigham Kemp has emerged as Hurricane’s standout player, leading the team with 16.9 points per game. He is also contributing significantly with 5.3 assists per game. Kemp’s leadership on the court has been pivotal to the team’s success so far this season.

In addition to Kemp, Thailand Gubler has been a reliable presence in the paint, averaging 6.3 rebounds per game. Quinn Gubler is another important contributor, with 2.6 steals per game, showing the team’s defensive capabilities.

Kanab High School Basketball: A Strong Region Play Performance

Kanab, with a 4-2 overall record, has found early success in region play, boasting a perfect 1-0 record in their region and a solid 2-2 record in non-league games. The team’s overall win percentage of .667 reflects their strong start, especially considering their 2-0 record at home.

Kanab’s scoring is more balanced throughout the game, averaging 51 points per game. Their first quarter average is lower at 10 points, but they make up for it with stronger performances in the second (14.5 points) and fourth (19 points) quarters. This late-game surge has been a key factor in their success so far this season.

Key Player: Cash Mortensen Cash Mortensen is the driving force behind Kanab’s offense, averaging 13.0 points per game. He is also an important contributor in terms of assists (4.3 per game). His performance in both scoring and playmaking has been crucial for Kanab’s strong showing in their region.

Trajen Glazier has also been an important asset for the team, averaging 7.5 rebounds per game and providing key support in the paint. Additionally, Latimer Glover’s defensive skills are evident with 2.0 steals per game, helping Kanab maintain a tough defense.

Head-to-Head and Common Opponents

The two teams have faced off against some of the same opponents, which provides valuable insight into their relative strengths. Both teams secured victories over South Sevier, with Hurricane dominating 79-45 on November 20, 2024, and Kanab winning 48-38 on December 11, 2024.

Kanab’s victory over Cedar (54-50) on November 26, 2024, further solidified their strong start, while Hurricane is slated to face Cedar in an upcoming matchup on January 13, 2025.

Team Comparison: Key Stats

• Points Per Game: Hurricane has the edge in scoring, averaging 65.9 points per game compared to Kanab’s 40.8.
• Rebounds Per Game: Hurricane averages 32.9 rebounds per game, outpacing Kanab’s 25.8.
• Assists Per Game: Both teams show solid ball movement, with Hurricane averaging 11.9 assists per game and Kanab at 10.0.
• Steals and Blocks: Hurricane leads in steals with 9.1 per game, while Kanab has a stronger shot-blocking presence, averaging 1.4 blocks per game compared to Hurricane’s 1.1.

Looking Ahead

As both teams progress through the season, their contrasting styles and performances make them exciting to watch. Hurricane’s offensive power and ability to maintain consistent scoring will be key to their success. Meanwhile, Kanab’s balanced defense and strong performance in region play give them the edge in close, hard-fought matchups.

Fans of Utah high school basketball can look forward to some thrilling matchups as both teams aim for success in the remainder of the season. With players like Brigham Kemp and Cash Mortensen leading the charge, expect both teams to continue making waves in the state’s basketball landscape.