Valley Top 5: Top teams ready to take on state challenges | News, Sports, Jobs

Each week, Daily Herald sports experts Jared Lloyd and Darnell Dickson rank the top five Utah Valley teams in baseball, softball, men’s soccer, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse and men’s volleyball (records as of May 5) :

BASEBALL

1. Maple Mountain (20-3)

Trying to hold on to second place with two games against Orem this week.

2. Timpanogos (19-6)

Defending 5A state champions trying to stay sharp for the 4A tournament.

3. American range (16-6)

The Cavemen have scored 66 points in the last five games, all wins.

4. Springville (17-5)

Barrett (.446, 7 HR, 26 RBI) and Lauaki (.455, 6 HR, 23 RBI) crush it.

5. Orem (18-5)

Easton Barrett is second in the state in RBIs with 43.

-Darnell Dickson

SOFT BALL

1. Spanish fork (22-2)

Can anyone stop the Dons from getting another state title?

2. Springville (22-5)

The Red Devils get another tune-up when they play at Maple Mountain on Tuesday.

3. Salem Hills (18-7)

The Skyhawks faced Spanish Fork and Springville before losing, which could make them even more dangerous in the postseason.

4. Pleasant Wood (17-6)

Have the Vikings improved enough to remain among the top 6A teams in the state?

5. Lehi (17-6-1)

The Pioneers have had a great year but want to play a lot more softball in the coming weeks.

-Jared Lloyd

BOYS FOOTBALL

1. Wasatch (14-0)

The undefeated Wasps head into the playoffs as one of the favorites in 5A.

2. American fork (12-2)

The Cavemen moved up the rankings by beating rival Lone Peak, 2-0.

3. Lone Woodpecker (9-3)

The Knights have lost two of their last four games, which could be a worrying sign for the state.

4. Salem Hills (12-2)

The Skyhawks’ quest to catch Wasatch failed in the final game of the regular season.

5. Pleasant wood (9-5)

This Viking team is sneaky and could surprise teams in the 6A tournament.

–Jared Lloyd

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

1. Orem (21-3)

The Tigers are trying to compete with the girls team, which won the 4A title in November.

2. West Lake (15-4)

Thunder bounced back from their loss to PG to defeat Lone Peak in five.

3. Maple Mountain (19-2)

The Golden Eagles are on a 12-game winning streak.

4. Pleasant Wood (21-5)

The Vikings face tough non-league opponents to finish the regular season.

5. Lone Woodpecker (20-6)

The Knights have lost two of the last three matches in competitive Region 3.

-Darnell Dickson

GIRLS’ LACROSSE

1. Payson (13-1)

The Lions have won eight matches in a row since April 8.

2. Lone Woodpecker (11-4)

Now healthy Knights are ready to compete in a tournament.

3. Pleasant wood (11-4)

The Vikings finish the regular season by hosting top-ranked Riverton (6A).

4. Sky Ridge (11-4)

The Falcons are working on a four-game winning streak.

5. Timpanogos (11-3)

Cecily Williams leads the T-Wolves with 42 points (38 goals, 4 assists).

-Darnell Dickson

BOYS’ LACROSSE

1. American fork (10-5)

Playing a tough schedule puts the Cavemen at the top of a crowded field.

2. Payson (9-4)

The Lions face a busy week capped by the rematch against Orem.

3.Orem (9-4)

The Tigers cannot let their loss to rival Timpanogos distract them.

4. Spanish fork (9-4)

Friday’s overtime win at Maple Mountain showed the heart of this Don team.

5. Lone Woodpecker (11-5)

The Knights come out strong at the end of the regular season.

–Jared Lloyd

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