Most improved Utah high school booys basketball teams

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Several Utah boys basketball teams have reversed their fortunes from a season ago. They have risen from the ashes of mediocrity to challenge for playoff spots and, in some cases, region championships this season.

Ogden has produced one of the most dramatic turnarounds of any team in the state. The Tigers have finished last in Region 5 three straight seasons – hitting a low point with a 0-22 campaign in 2013-14. Now Ogden (10-5) has won 10 games in a season for the first time since 2011-12. The Tigers are on pace to finish with their first winning record since the 2010-11 season.

Hunter Mikel Clarke and Jaxon Clarke are a big reason for Ogden's rise from the Class 4A cellar. The duo is lethal on the perimeter and have combined to average 36.1 points per game so far.

Timpanogos is in rare position to challenge for a region title as part of its upward mobility. The Timberwolves (12-4) are a game back of Timpview and have already matched last season's region win total. If they can overtake the Thunderbirds down the stretch, it would secure the school's first region title since 2002-03.

Timpanogos offered a preview of what lay ahead after posting a 4-0 record in the Tarkanian Classic with victories over Morningside (Calif.), Seton Catholic (Ariz.), Maranatha (Calif.) and Salem Hills. Dalten Stewart and Matt Norman have given the offense a lift, with Stewart averaging 14.7 points and Norman averaging 13.9 points per game this season.

Two title contenders in one Class 2A region also stand out as the classification's most improved teams from a year ago. Enterprise (12-4) and South Sevier (11-5) both finished with losing records a year ago. Now both are undefeated in Region 13 play.

Both teams have been getting it done with defense. South Sevier ranks fifth among Class 2A teams in scoring defense (50.6 ppg). Enterprise ranks seventh in Class 2A (53.6) in the same defensive category.

Here's a rundown of the schools from all five Utah classifications that are on track to be the state's most improved boys basketball teams in 2016-17:


1. Ogden
2015 Final Record: 8-14
Current 2016 Record: 10-5

2. Timpanogos (Orem)
2015 Final Record: 10-14
Current 2016 Record: 12-4

3. Roy
2015 Final Record: 6-15
Current 2016 Record: 9-5 4. Enterprise
2015 Final Record: 8-15
Current 2016 Record: 12-4

5. Valley (Orderville)
2015 Final Record: 7-17
Current 2016 Record: 11-4

6. Judge Memorial (Salt Lake City)
2015 Final Record: 4-19
Current 2016 Record: 8-8

7. Pine View (St. George)
2015 Final Record: 14-10
Current 2016 Record: 13-3

8. Duchesne
2015 Final Record: 13-12
Current 2016 Record: 10-4

9. Hurricane
2015 Final Record: 9-14
Current 2016 Record: 11-7

10. South Sevier (Monroe)
2015 Final Record: 9-14
Current 2016 Record: 11-5

John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports.