MaxPreps Preseason High School Basketball Top 25: No. 16 Wasatch Academy

Tigers working toward fourth GEICO Nationals invite while still seeking first event victory.

Thumbnail image of this articles writer: Jordan Divens
By
Nov 6, 2019, 9:00am
Video: Preseason Top 25 basketball rankings
Breaking down the national contenders heading into the 2019-20 season.


Head Coach: David Evans
Last Season: No. 14 in final Top 100, 26-4 (GEICO Nationals participant)

Key Contributors:
Leonardo Colimerio (6-foot-7 Sr., W) — Committed to Fresno State
Richard Isaacs (6-2, So., G)
Caleb Lohner (6-9, Sr., W) —Committed to Utah
Brennan Rigsby (6-2, Jr., G)
Mike Saunders (6-0, Sr., G) — Committed to Cincinnati
Richie Saunders (6-5, Sr., G) — Committed to BYU
Mady Sissoko (6-9, Sr., C) — Committed to Michigan State
Kamryn Waites (6-11, Jr., C)
Head coach David Evans
Head coach David Evans
File photo by Steven Ryan
Key Games/Events:
Nov. 27 vs. Lone Peak (Highland, Utah) — Utah Valley Tip-Off Classic
Dec. 5-7 vs. TBD — Great Western Shootout
Dec. 17-22 vs. TBD — Iolani Prep Classic
Jan. 3 vs. Roman Catholic (Philadelphia) — Cancer Research Classic
Jan. 4 vs. Paul VI (Fairfax, Va.) — Cancer Research Classic
Jan. 18 vs. Norcross (Ga.) — Kevin Durant MLK Classic
Jan. 30-Feb. 1 vs. TBD — Bob Kirk Invitational
Guard Mike Saunders
Guard Mike Saunders
File photo by Steven Ryan
Season Preview:
The Tigers finished the season ranked in the Top 25 for the first time in school history last year after a strong season that ended in a first-round exit in the GEICO Nationals at the hands of Oak Hill Academy.

This program continues to ascend into one of the elite basketball academies and seeks its fourth invitational to GEICO Nationals in the last five years.

While the Tigers are 0-3 all-time at the GEICO Nationals, returning four starters from last season gives this group a chance to capture their first event win.

Starting the season without Top 50 big man Sissoko (broken hand) will be tough, but the big man is expected to make a full recovery and return this season.

While Sissoko is out, the Beehive State powerhouse will downsize to a starting rotation with no true post presence. Key returners Lohner, Mike Saunders, Richie Saunders and Colimerio are joined by highly touted sophomore Isaacs in the starting lineup to start the year.

To earn an invitation back to GEICO Nationals, Wasatch Academy needs to fare well against national competition in events like the 'Iolani Classic, Bob Kirk Invitational and Cancer Research Classic against No. 8 Paul VI.

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