The 2024-2025 Utah high school basketball season is well underway, and two teams in particular—Payson and Salem Hills—have made notable strides. While Payson has maintained an undefeated record, Salem Hills has shown resilience despite facing a challenging start. Let’s dive deeper into their performances, statistics, and upcoming matchups.

Payson: Dominating Early Success

Payson High School (24-25) is off to an impressive 6-0 start, boasting a perfect win percentage of 1.000. Their strong performance comes from both home and away games, where they remain unbeaten with a 4-0 record at home and a 2-0 record on the road. Payson has proven to be a formidable force on both ends of the floor, with a high-scoring average of 67.0 points per game and a solid defense that has allowed just 270 points so far this season.

The team’s offensive consistency is evident across the quarters, averaging 16.3 points in the first quarter, 15.3 in the second, 16.7 in the third, and 11.3 in the fourth. While their points per game are strong, they also lead in team statistics, including rebounds (29.2), assists (16.4), steals (9.6), and blocks (2.8).

One standout player is Legend Reynoso, who leads the team with 11.6 points per game and 7.0 rebounds per game. His all-around play has been crucial for Payson’s undefeated start. Other key contributors include Kade Jenson, who averages 4.0 assists per game, and Zandon Theobald, who leads in steals with 2.2 per game.

Payson has already recorded notable wins over opponents like Maple Mountain and Spanish Fork, with dominant victories such as a 68-39 win over Maple Mountain and a close 54-48 win against Spanish Fork. They are currently perfect against common opponents, holding a 2-0 record in those matchups.

Salem Hills: Struggling but Resilient

Salem Hills High School (24-25), while facing a tougher start with a 3-4 overall record, has had its share of challenges, particularly on the road where they hold a 2-4 record. Despite these struggles, they are a team to watch, particularly as they continue to adjust to their early-season schedule.

Salem Hills averages 61.1 points per game and has been fairly consistent in scoring across the quarters, with 18.9 points in the first quarter and 16.3 in the third, but with a slight drop to 12.0 points in the fourth. While they lag behind Payson in terms of total points, they remain competitive with a solid team foundation that includes 27.7 rebounds, 15.1 assists, and 7.0 steals per game.

Individually, Salem Hills is led by Jacoby Gustin, who averages 12.4 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game. Grant Hardy contributes significantly with 6.1 assists per game, while Blake Scott and Steven Taylor lead the team in steals and blocks, respectively. Despite their mixed record, Salem Hills has the tools to turn things around as they progress through the season.

Salem Hills has yet to face some of their key opponents for the season, but their games against teams like Maple Mountain, Spanish Fork, and others in the region will be pivotal in shaping their trajectory.

Key Stats Comparison: Payson vs. Salem Hills

Looking Ahead: Key Matchups

As both teams continue to build momentum, their upcoming matchups against common opponents will be critical. Payson will face off with teams like Maple Mountain and Spanish Fork again, where they hope to maintain their undefeated record. Salem Hills, on the other hand, will look to improve their record as they face similar opponents in the coming weeks.

Payson will also host Salem Hills on February 7, 2025, in what promises to be an exciting clash between two teams with differing early-season outcomes. With Payson’s undefeated streak on the line and Salem Hills eager to prove themselves, this matchup could be a defining moment for both teams.

Conclusion

With Payson leading the way as one of the state’s top teams and Salem Hills working through growing pains, both teams will continue to face challenges and opportunities as the season progresses. As the competition intensifies, expect both schools to continue their pursuit of improvement and success in Utah’s competitive high school basketball scene.