The Cedar Valley varsity basketball team (Eagle Mountain, UT) will host a home conference game against Orem (UT) on Friday, January 10, at 7:00 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Utah High School Basketball
Who: Orem vs Cedar Valley
When: Friday, January 10, 2025
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Orem vs Cedar Valley

With the Utah high school basketball season in full swing, two teams, Orem and Cedar Valley, are set to face off in an intriguing conference matchup. Both teams bring unique strengths and challenges, with Orem looking to extend their winning record and Cedar Valley aiming to find their footing as they navigate a tough season. Here’s a breakdown of how these teams compare and what to expect in their upcoming clash.

Team Rankings and Performance Overview

Orem Tigers

• Record: 10-3
• Win Percentage: 76.9%
• Points Scored (PF): 823
• Points Allowed (PA): 702
• National Rank: 48
• State Rank: 1

Orem is having an impressive season, leading Utah in rankings and holding the top spot in their class. With consistent performances both at home and on the road, they’ve demonstrated a balanced attack and solid defense.

Cedar Valley Aviators

• Record: 5-7
• Win Percentage: 41.7%
• Points Scored (PF): 707
• Points Allowed (PA): 627
• State Rank: 64

Cedar Valley has struggled to maintain consistency, especially at home, where they’ve only managed one win in six games. However, their neutral site performance (3-0) shows they have the ability to rise to the occasion.

Scoring Breakdown

Orem: The Tigers excel in closing out games, averaging 16.5 points in the fourth quarter, the highest among all periods. Their ability to finish strong has been a key factor in their success.

Cedar Valley: The Aviators start games strong, averaging 15.4 points in the first quarter, but have struggled to maintain momentum in the fourth, where they average just 12.6 points.

Head-to-Head Matchup

The first meeting between these two teams will take place on Friday, January 10, at 7 p.m., with Orem traveling to Cedar Valley. A second matchup is scheduled for January 31 at the same time and venue.

Statistical Leaders

Orem Tigers

• Points Per Game: Decker Yeager (#22) – 12.0
• Rebounds Per Game: Owen Bawden (#31) – 7.1
• Assists Per Game: Carson Stocking (#3) – 3.8
• Steals Per Game: Andrik Enriquez (#23) – 1.8
• Blocks Per Game: Owen Bawden (#31) – 1.9

Cedar Valley Aviators
While individual stats for Cedar Valley fall below national averages, their collective effort in specific games, such as their neutral site wins, demonstrates potential for a team-centered strategy.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced Cyprus this season, with Orem emerging victorious (72-58) and Cedar Valley suffering a loss (73-62). These results suggest that Orem has the upper hand, but the dynamic nature of basketball ensures no game is decided on paper.

Key to Victory

For Orem, maintaining their fourth-quarter dominance and relying on their consistent scorers like Yeager and Bawden will be crucial. Cedar Valley, on the other hand, must capitalize on their strong starts and find ways to sustain energy and focus in the latter stages of the game.

Prediction and Final Thoughts

Orem enters as the clear favorite, with superior rankings, stats, and a winning mindset. However, Cedar Valley will have the home-court advantage and a chance to prove their resilience. Basketball often thrives on surprises, and this matchup could deliver just that.

Be sure to catch the action and witness how these two teams stack up as they battle for conference glory!