In the early going of the 2025–26 boys high school basketball season, Woods Cross and Bountiful have enjoyed some success. 

Non-region play has gone favorably for the two schools, but both teams know the road ahead has plenty of challenges. The Wildcats won their first three games of the season, while Bountiful was 3-1 as of Dec. 3. Region 6 action will tip off in mid-December. The league features defending Class 5A state champion and perennial state power Olympus as well as always-tough Alta and a what has been a strong Highland team the past few seasons. 

Contending for a region title won’t be easy for Woods Cross or Bountiful. Still, so far, so good for the teams. 

Woods Cross 

The Wildcats opened with a pair of lopsided wins before Thanksgiving, beginning with a 52-35 victory at West on Nov. 21. Four days later, Woods Cross took care of Murray on the road by the count of 74-51. 

Most recently, on Dec. 3, the Wildcats began the home slate with a 59-52 triumph over Clearfield. This contest saw the Wildcats battle back from a six-point halftime deficit thanks to a 35-22 advantage in the second half. 

Woods Cross got 19 points from Elliot Bendinger and 17 from Marcus Stepan. Madden Johnsen contributed 10 points. A big factor in the contest was Woods Cross hitting seven free throws, while Clearfield made just a single shot from the foul line. 

Up next for the Wildcats is another home game, this time with West Field on Dec. 9. On Dec. 12, Woods Cross begins region play with a game at Bountiful. 

Bountiful 

The Redhawks are coming off an excellent season in 2024–25, winning Region 5 with a 13-1 record and going 20-5 overall. Bountiful lost in the quarterfinals to Highland in the state tournament. 

This season, the Redhawks are under the guidance of a new head coach, Brett Hewlett. His squad began the season with a pre-Thanksgiving tournament at Pine View High School, going 2-1. The Redhawks defeated Snow Canyon 72-62 on Nov. 20 and got by Provo on Nov. 22 by the count of 57-54. In between those wins was a setback against Dixie, 58-55. 

But the Redhawks put together an impressive victory on Dec. 3, upending Class 6A’s Herriman 63-56 to move to 3-1. 

Against Herriman, Bountiful withstood 39 second-half points from the Mustangs after allowing just 17 points in the first half. The Redhawks made just 14 shots from the field, but half of those were three-pointers. Three Bountiful players paced the team with 13 points, as Sake Willis, Lincoln Smith and Cole Hewlett did the honors. 

The Redhawks next host Timpanogos on Dec. 5 before traveling to Syracuse on Dec. 9. 

Viewmont 

The Vikings were second in Region 5 a year ago and now must compete in the talented Region 6. Viewmont has a home game with Fremont on Dec. 5 where it will have the chance to get to .500 after a 1-2 start. 

The Vikings picked up win No. 1 on Dec. 2 and did so in a big way, blowing out the Warriors 70-44. Viewmont used a strong first half to build a 43-23 lead. Weber cut into the Vikings’ advantage a bit with an 18-12 third quarter. However, Viewmont closed strong on a 15-3 fourth-quarter run. 

Carson Tovey was the player of the game, putting up a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. He added three assists and two steals in an impressive all-around effort. Lukus Toner and Jake Larsen each scored 11 points, with Larsen also pulling down six rebounds. Adam Henderson chipped in 10 points. 

Viewmont hosts Mountain Ridge on Dec. 9 after the clash with Fremont.