The Olympus varsity basketball team (Salt Lake City, UT) will play a home non-conference game against Layton (UT) today at 7 p.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Utah High School Basketball
Who: Layton vs Olympus
When: Today, December 28, 2024
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here
Game Preview: Layton vs Olympus
As the 2024-2025 Utah high school basketball season heats up, two teams are making a strong case for dominance in the state: Layton and Olympus. With impressive records and standout performances, these teams are among the top contenders for the state championship. Here’s a breakdown of their current standing, team dynamics, and how they compare as they both prepare for a deep playoff run.
Layton Lays Down the Law
The Layton basketball team is off to a strong start, boasting an 8-1 overall record. With a high win percentage of .889, they have proven to be a force on both ends of the court. Layton has excelled at home with a perfect 3-0 record, and they have shown resilience on the road with a 4-1 mark. Their scoring efficiency is evident, as they average an impressive 77 points per game, with standout performances from senior Sam Romer, who leads the team with 19.4 points per game.
Layton has shown their offensive prowess across all four quarters, averaging 20.6 points in the first quarter, 20.3 in the second, 19.6 in the third, and 15.9 in the fourth. Their overall offensive production is a key factor in their early-season success.
Key players include:
- Sam Romer (19.4 PPG)
- Joshua Checketts (6.0 RPG)
- Karter Miller (6.8 APG, 2.4 SPG)
With solid contributions from all players and a strong team ethic, Layton is positioning itself as one of the favorites to contend for the title.
Olympus Keeps Pushing Forward
Not far behind Layton, Olympus has posted a 6-1 record this season. Their win percentage of .857 speaks to their consistency and ability to perform under pressure. Olympus has shown dominance at home, with a perfect 2-0 record, and they’ve also delivered on the road, holding a 2-1 mark. The team’s offensive efficiency is also strong, averaging 65.1 points per game, with a well-balanced attack.
Olympus’s scoring distribution is slightly more spread out compared to Layton, with the team averaging 13.8 points in the first quarter, 16.6 in the second, 19.2 in the third, and 16.2 in the fourth. Their offensive versatility allows them to adjust to different game situations and remain competitive throughout the full 32 minutes.
Key players for Olympus include:
- Karter Miller (6.8 APG, 2.4 SPG)
- Joshua Checketts (6.0 RPG)
- Sam Romer (19.4 PPG)
Olympus has proven itself against strong competition, including recent victories over Northridge (98-67) and Skyline (55-48), and their balanced approach to scoring and defense will make them a tough opponent for any team moving forward.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Both teams have played a number of common opponents, with impressive results. Layton has gone 3-0 against teams like Northridge, Skyline, and Murray, showcasing their ability to dominate both at home and on the road. Olympus, meanwhile, has gone 3-1 against similar competition, with victories over teams like Northridge, Skyline, and Fremont, while falling narrowly to Davis (50-48).
In matchups with common opponents, Layton holds the advantage, with a perfect 3-0 record, compared to Olympus’s 3-1 mark. However, Olympus’s strong road play and ability to win in tough environments show that they can perform when needed most.
Statistical Breakdown
| Statistic | Layton | Olympus |
|---|---|---|
| Points Per Game | 81.2 | 65.1 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 31.6 | – |
| Assists Per Game | 21.8 | – |
| Steals Per Game | 9.8 | – |
| Blocks Per Game | 4.4 | – |
While Layton leads in points per game, Olympus’s defense and balanced scoring approach continue to keep them competitive. The team has been effective at slowing down their opponents, with significant contributions from players like Karter Miller and Joshua Checketts in both rebounding and playmaking.
The Road Ahead
As the season progresses, both Layton and Olympus will continue to face tough opponents, including each other. Their next matchups against teams like Skyline, Murray, and Fremont will provide an opportunity to further solidify their dominance in the state.
For Layton, their ability to continue dominating on offense will be key. With Sam Romer leading the charge and Karter Miller orchestrating the offense, Layton’s high-scoring games will make them a tough team to beat. However, they will need to maintain their defensive intensity to compete with the best teams in the state.
Olympus, on the other hand, will need to build on their strong team defense and find ways to generate more consistent scoring, especially in the opening and closing quarters. With key players stepping up in clutch moments, Olympus has the potential to go deep into the playoffs.
Conclusion
Both Layton and Olympus have impressed early in the 2024-2025 Utah high school basketball season. With near-identical records, both teams are proving themselves as top-tier contenders. Layton’s high-powered offense and Olympus’s disciplined defense promise a thrilling season ahead. As the teams move into the second half of the season, basketball fans across Utah will be watching closely to see how these two powerhouses fare against the competition and, more importantly, each other. The path to the state title is wide open, and both Layton and Olympus are in the race.
