SPORTS
Bees Blitzed by Phoenix
April 17, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
It was not the start to region play that the Box Elder High School baseball team was hoping for as the team was swept by Farmington in convincing fashion last week with final tallies of 17-4, 13-3, and 13-5.
Since the weather looked sketchy later in the week, the Bees got a double-header at home on Monday night and couldn’t contain the high-powered Phoenix offense for much of the game.
Connor Thomas launched a home run for the visitors as the Phoenix poured in 17 runs off 13 hits in the first game.
Junior pitcher Logan Forbush picked up the win for the Phoenix while Logan Holgate took the loss on the mound for the Bees.
In the second game on Monday, the Bees came out more aggressively and took a 2-0 lead into the top of the fourth inning behind a home run by senior Mike Davis.
But the Phoenix found more of that potent offense in the top of the fourth and took a 3-2 lead.
From there, the Phoenix never looked back as they got another home run from Thomas and a long bomb from Brandon Young en route to picking up their third straight win overall.
Senior hurler Dylan Jeppson grabbed the win in the second game for the Phoenix while Ryan Greer was dealt the loss for the Bees.
On Thursday afternoon, the two teams were back in action, this time in Davis County, and the results looked very similar to the second game on Monday, where the Bees were able to jump out to an early lead, only to falter later on as the Phoenix picked up some offensive steam.
The teams battled to a 4-4 tie after five innings before Farmington exploded for nine runs in the final two frames to turn a tight contest into a third straight blowout win.
Sam Graves grabbed the win for the Phoenix from the mound while Ryan Gunn got the loss for the Bees.
Following the series, Bees head coach Jesse Roberts said, “[The Phoenix] did what they need to do to win the games. They had a lefty that threw very well for them and they got hits when they needed them.”
Coach Roberts went on to say the weather has been an even tougher variable this spring than usual when he said, “Everyone has to play with it, but the weather has wreaked havoc on baseball more this spring than in recent years. We go from taking cuts inside to playing outside and it makes it harder than normal. Schedule-wise, we have had to switch things around like crazy, so it’s made it tough on everyone.”
The crazy scheduling looks to continue this week as the Bees were scheduled to take on Bountiful yesterday, today, Wednesday, April 17, and Friday. However, coming into the week, the Braves still hadn’t finished their series with Roy and were hoping to finish that series up on Monday.
Whenever the games against the Braves end up happening, coach Roberts knows the team will have their hands full. “[The Braves] will be very solid and they return a lot of starters from last year,” Roberts said.
Despite the challenge, Roberts also said, “We are looking this week to start fast and hold [the Braves] down with our pitching. We also want to do a better job of stringing together hits at the right time. Our guys have the capabilities to do amazing things. This week is gonna be our time.”
The current schedule had the Bees on the road yesterday (results not available by press time) and Friday, and home on Wednesday with each game starting at 3:30 p.m.
April 17, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
It was not the start to region play that the Box Elder High School baseball team was hoping for as the team was swept by Farmington in convincing fashion last week with final tallies of 17-4, 13-3, and 13-5.
Since the weather looked sketchy later in the week, the Bees got a double-header at home on Monday night and couldn’t contain the high-powered Phoenix offense for much of the game.
Connor Thomas launched a home run for the visitors as the Phoenix poured in 17 runs off 13 hits in the first game.
Junior pitcher Logan Forbush picked up the win for the Phoenix while Logan Holgate took the loss on the mound for the Bees.
In the second game on Monday, the Bees came out more aggressively and took a 2-0 lead into the top of the fourth inning behind a home run by senior Mike Davis.
But the Phoenix found more of that potent offense in the top of the fourth and took a 3-2 lead.
From there, the Phoenix never looked back as they got another home run from Thomas and a long bomb from Brandon Young en route to picking up their third straight win overall.
Senior hurler Dylan Jeppson grabbed the win in the second game for the Phoenix while Ryan Greer was dealt the loss for the Bees.
On Thursday afternoon, the two teams were back in action, this time in Davis County, and the results looked very similar to the second game on Monday, where the Bees were able to jump out to an early lead, only to falter later on as the Phoenix picked up some offensive steam.
The teams battled to a 4-4 tie after five innings before Farmington exploded for nine runs in the final two frames to turn a tight contest into a third straight blowout win.
Sam Graves grabbed the win for the Phoenix from the mound while Ryan Gunn got the loss for the Bees.
Following the series, Bees head coach Jesse Roberts said, “[The Phoenix] did what they need to do to win the games. They had a lefty that threw very well for them and they got hits when they needed them.”
Coach Roberts went on to say the weather has been an even tougher variable this spring than usual when he said, “Everyone has to play with it, but the weather has wreaked havoc on baseball more this spring than in recent years. We go from taking cuts inside to playing outside and it makes it harder than normal. Schedule-wise, we have had to switch things around like crazy, so it’s made it tough on everyone.”
The crazy scheduling looks to continue this week as the Bees were scheduled to take on Bountiful yesterday, today, Wednesday, April 17, and Friday. However, coming into the week, the Braves still hadn’t finished their series with Roy and were hoping to finish that series up on Monday.
Whenever the games against the Braves end up happening, coach Roberts knows the team will have their hands full. “[The Braves] will be very solid and they return a lot of starters from last year,” Roberts said.
Despite the challenge, Roberts also said, “We are looking this week to start fast and hold [the Braves] down with our pitching. We also want to do a better job of stringing together hits at the right time. Our guys have the capabilities to do amazing things. This week is gonna be our time.”
The current schedule had the Bees on the road yesterday (results not available by press time) and Friday, and home on Wednesday with each game starting at 3:30 p.m.
Bees grab big win over Phoenix
April 17, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
During a drizzly week full of cancellations across the state, the Box Elder High School softball team found a bright spot among a break in the clouds last Wednesday afternoon when it picked up a much-needed region win over Farmington, 4-2.
The Phoenix got the best of the Bees a month ago in Farmington, but improved hitting and better defense allowed the Bees to turn the tables this time around and pick up the win.
In contrast to their last meeting, the Bees took the early advantage and built a 3-0 lead before the Phoenix cut the lead to one in the top of the third.
Farmington wouldn’t get any closer and the Bees added a security run in the fifth while blanking their opponents the rest of the way to set the final margin.
Freshman slinger Tegan Mecham rang up seven strikeouts on her way to picking up the win from the pitching circle. Farmington’s Delany Baker, who got the win over the Bees in their first meeting, took the loss for the visitors.
After the game, Bees’ head coach Taleas Marble said she was as happy with her team’s energy and focus as she was with getting the win.
“Our girls came to play with a lot of confidence tonight,” Marble said. “We came out strong and hit really well. We only had two strikeouts tonight compared to 10 the first time we played [the Phoenix], so that was all really good to see.”
The Bees had a game scheduled for Tuesday afternoon against Viewmont, but were only able to play one inning before the game was postponed due to weather. That game will be made up as the second game of a double-header on April 25.
The Bees had another game on the schedule last Friday against Herriman that was rained out. With all the cancellations across the state, that game will be dropped from the schedule and not made up.
The win against Farmington moves the Bees into a tie for third place in the region standings with the Phoenix as both teams sit at 3-3.
The Bees were scheduled to play Woods Cross at home yesterday, but with a stormy forecast, that game may have had to be moved or rescheduled.
The forecast is more clear and bright for the Bees’ game tomorrow on the road against first-place Bountiful, who sits at a perfect 6-0 in region play so far.
The game against the Braves is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
Of their schedule this week, coach Marble said, “I’m expecting another tight game with [the Wildcats]. They have played most everyone in the region pretty close, so that will be a fun one. I feel like our girls are really starting to come together and play better as a team, so that’s big for us. They are getting comfortable in their positions, our pitchers are throwing well, and all that will bode well for us going forward. I think we can pick up a few wins during these next two rounds that we didn’t the first time.”
April 17, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
During a drizzly week full of cancellations across the state, the Box Elder High School softball team found a bright spot among a break in the clouds last Wednesday afternoon when it picked up a much-needed region win over Farmington, 4-2.
The Phoenix got the best of the Bees a month ago in Farmington, but improved hitting and better defense allowed the Bees to turn the tables this time around and pick up the win.
In contrast to their last meeting, the Bees took the early advantage and built a 3-0 lead before the Phoenix cut the lead to one in the top of the third.
Farmington wouldn’t get any closer and the Bees added a security run in the fifth while blanking their opponents the rest of the way to set the final margin.
Freshman slinger Tegan Mecham rang up seven strikeouts on her way to picking up the win from the pitching circle. Farmington’s Delany Baker, who got the win over the Bees in their first meeting, took the loss for the visitors.
After the game, Bees’ head coach Taleas Marble said she was as happy with her team’s energy and focus as she was with getting the win.
“Our girls came to play with a lot of confidence tonight,” Marble said. “We came out strong and hit really well. We only had two strikeouts tonight compared to 10 the first time we played [the Phoenix], so that was all really good to see.”
The Bees had a game scheduled for Tuesday afternoon against Viewmont, but were only able to play one inning before the game was postponed due to weather. That game will be made up as the second game of a double-header on April 25.
The Bees had another game on the schedule last Friday against Herriman that was rained out. With all the cancellations across the state, that game will be dropped from the schedule and not made up.
The win against Farmington moves the Bees into a tie for third place in the region standings with the Phoenix as both teams sit at 3-3.
The Bees were scheduled to play Woods Cross at home yesterday, but with a stormy forecast, that game may have had to be moved or rescheduled.
The forecast is more clear and bright for the Bees’ game tomorrow on the road against first-place Bountiful, who sits at a perfect 6-0 in region play so far.
The game against the Braves is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
Of their schedule this week, coach Marble said, “I’m expecting another tight game with [the Wildcats]. They have played most everyone in the region pretty close, so that will be a fun one. I feel like our girls are really starting to come together and play better as a team, so that’s big for us. They are getting comfortable in their positions, our pitchers are throwing well, and all that will bode well for us going forward. I think we can pick up a few wins during these next two rounds that we didn’t the first time.”
Alex Griffin pulls in a throw to second base while an Olympus runner safely slides in to record a steal early in the game.
Bees can’t find bats against Titans
April 10, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School baseball team struggled from the plate in their only game last week when the team hosted Olympus on Thursday afternoon and fell to the Titans 11-1.
Despite the lopsided score, Bees’ head coach Jesse Roberts said he was happy with the team’s performance and saw improvements over the prior weeks. Coach Roberts said, “Defensively, we were better than we have been. We cleaned up our errors and I thought our pitchers were throwing well, so those were all nice to see.”
Coach Roberts went on to say, “[The Titan’s] pitcher had us off balance the whole game and we struggled from the plate. We couldn’t get a hit off him until the sixth inning. He had a nice curve ball and just kept us off balance.”
Senior hurler Jack Hollberg picked up the win with a complete game, in a one-hitter for the Titans, while Trent Dickson took the loss on the mound for the Bees.
With the preseason over, the Bees look ahead this week to a series with Farmington, which has changed somewhat because of the unpredictable Utah springtime weather.
Instead of having home games yesterday and Friday, the Bees played a double-header on Monday afternoon in Brigham City against the Phoenix (results not available by press time) with their road game still slated for Thursday afternoon in Farmington.
Coming into the series, coach Roberts said, “[The Phoenix] are kind of like us so far in that they have struggled early, but we know they have talent, so it should be an interesting series.”
The Phoenix are coming off an emotional, come-from-behind win over the Titans last Monday where they posted seven runs in the bottom of the seventh to escape with an unlikely win.
Big innings have haunted the Bees all season long and they’ll need to be mindful of playing a complete game to start out region play on the right foot with some wins over the Phoenix.
The game tomorrow is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
An interesting twist that baseball teams face that no other team sees during region play is the week-long series with the same opponent. The reason for that is the statewide rule limiting the number of pitches a given player is allowed to throw. A starting pitcher is allowed 35-60 pitches on one day’s rest and 61-85 pitches requires two day’s rest.
As coach Roberts explained, “Given that rule, if we start our best pitcher the first game and they start their best pitcher, then the next game, we both have to start someone else. It’s so no one team has to face the best pitcher on another team every time they play.”
Next week, the Bees get a crack at Bountiful. As the schedule stands now, the games will be played on Tuesday and Friday in Brigham City with a game on Wednesday in Bountiful. All three games are scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
Bees can’t find bats against Titans
April 10, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School baseball team struggled from the plate in their only game last week when the team hosted Olympus on Thursday afternoon and fell to the Titans 11-1.
Despite the lopsided score, Bees’ head coach Jesse Roberts said he was happy with the team’s performance and saw improvements over the prior weeks. Coach Roberts said, “Defensively, we were better than we have been. We cleaned up our errors and I thought our pitchers were throwing well, so those were all nice to see.”
Coach Roberts went on to say, “[The Titan’s] pitcher had us off balance the whole game and we struggled from the plate. We couldn’t get a hit off him until the sixth inning. He had a nice curve ball and just kept us off balance.”
Senior hurler Jack Hollberg picked up the win with a complete game, in a one-hitter for the Titans, while Trent Dickson took the loss on the mound for the Bees.
With the preseason over, the Bees look ahead this week to a series with Farmington, which has changed somewhat because of the unpredictable Utah springtime weather.
Instead of having home games yesterday and Friday, the Bees played a double-header on Monday afternoon in Brigham City against the Phoenix (results not available by press time) with their road game still slated for Thursday afternoon in Farmington.
Coming into the series, coach Roberts said, “[The Phoenix] are kind of like us so far in that they have struggled early, but we know they have talent, so it should be an interesting series.”
The Phoenix are coming off an emotional, come-from-behind win over the Titans last Monday where they posted seven runs in the bottom of the seventh to escape with an unlikely win.
Big innings have haunted the Bees all season long and they’ll need to be mindful of playing a complete game to start out region play on the right foot with some wins over the Phoenix.
The game tomorrow is scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
An interesting twist that baseball teams face that no other team sees during region play is the week-long series with the same opponent. The reason for that is the statewide rule limiting the number of pitches a given player is allowed to throw. A starting pitcher is allowed 35-60 pitches on one day’s rest and 61-85 pitches requires two day’s rest.
As coach Roberts explained, “Given that rule, if we start our best pitcher the first game and they start their best pitcher, then the next game, we both have to start someone else. It’s so no one team has to face the best pitcher on another team every time they play.”
Next week, the Bees get a crack at Bountiful. As the schedule stands now, the games will be played on Tuesday and Friday in Brigham City with a game on Wednesday in Bountiful. All three games are scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m.
Ryan Dilg (center, left), and Brett Giebel (center, right) competed in the Special Olympics World Summer games in the United Arab Emirates in March. Also pictured are the athletes parents who joined them on the trip, Carl and Rebecca Dilg, and Jennifer and Kim Giebel.
Northern Utah athletes represent state, nation at World Special Olympics Summer Games
Two Special Olympics athletes from northern Utah were the only representatives from the state on the U.S. Special Olympics team that competed in the World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, last month.
Ryan Dilg son of Carl and Rebecca Dilg, of Willard, Utah, and Brett Giebel of Pleasant View, Utah, participated in track and field, and swimming, respectively. Both athletes are members of the Golden Spikers Swim Team in Brigham City.
Ryan Dilg, a seasoned swimmer, but new to competing in track, earned medals in his divisions, including a silver in the 200-meter sprint, sixth place—and a personal best—in the 100-meter sprint, and he led his team across the finish line for the bronze in the 4x100-meter relay.
Although new to track, Dilg is not new to competing, as he medaled in swimming at the 2018 Special Olympics National Games in Seattle, Washington. He enjoys competing as well as supporting his team mates, especially those with much greater challenges than his own.
Brett Giebel got a silver in the 200-meter free, bronze in 100-meter free, and took fourth in the butterfly.
Carl and Rebecca Dilg and Kim and Jennifer Giebel were able to attend the games and support their sons.
Dilg was honored to represent Utah and the country as part of the 300-member U.S. team during the two and a half weeks in the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. While there, the U.S.A. team had the opportunity to visit schools where the teachers and students learned about the “People of Determination” as the Special Olympics athletes are known in the country.
Over 190 countries with 7,000-plus athletes and 20,000 volunteers came together for the opening and closing ceremonies and competitions.
The summer games were held in March because of the severe summers in the UAE.
Northern Utah athletes represent state, nation at World Special Olympics Summer Games
Two Special Olympics athletes from northern Utah were the only representatives from the state on the U.S. Special Olympics team that competed in the World Summer Games in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, last month.
Ryan Dilg son of Carl and Rebecca Dilg, of Willard, Utah, and Brett Giebel of Pleasant View, Utah, participated in track and field, and swimming, respectively. Both athletes are members of the Golden Spikers Swim Team in Brigham City.
Ryan Dilg, a seasoned swimmer, but new to competing in track, earned medals in his divisions, including a silver in the 200-meter sprint, sixth place—and a personal best—in the 100-meter sprint, and he led his team across the finish line for the bronze in the 4x100-meter relay.
Although new to track, Dilg is not new to competing, as he medaled in swimming at the 2018 Special Olympics National Games in Seattle, Washington. He enjoys competing as well as supporting his team mates, especially those with much greater challenges than his own.
Brett Giebel got a silver in the 200-meter free, bronze in 100-meter free, and took fourth in the butterfly.
Carl and Rebecca Dilg and Kim and Jennifer Giebel were able to attend the games and support their sons.
Dilg was honored to represent Utah and the country as part of the 300-member U.S. team during the two and a half weeks in the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi. While there, the U.S.A. team had the opportunity to visit schools where the teachers and students learned about the “People of Determination” as the Special Olympics athletes are known in the country.
Over 190 countries with 7,000-plus athletes and 20,000 volunteers came together for the opening and closing ceremonies and competitions.
The summer games were held in March because of the severe summers in the UAE.
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Boys miss opportunities, succumb to adversity in draw and loss
April 3, 2019 • Sean Hales • Managing Editor Missed opportunities and a lack of fortitude in the face of adversity resulted in a tie against Jordan and a loss against Viewmont in the Box Elder High School boys’ soccer team’s first region game of the year. According to Box Elder head coach Nate Bywater, the Bees executed their game plan well, and he was pleased, overall, to see that tactics and training for the game transferred to the field of play. However, the same struggle the boys have dealt with all year—uncertainty and a lack of confidence in front of the net—stymied their efforts and resulted in a 1-1 tie. “We got the chances where we wanted, when we wanted...but execution left was wanting a little bit,” Bywater said. “The touches we got on the ball just weren’t good enough. But we were pleased with what we were seeing on the field.” Jordan scored the first goal of the game in the first half, and Bryce Shimazaki evened the score with a goal in the second. Fighting back from an early goal was not something the Bees could replicate in the 3-0 drubbing they received at the hands of Viewmont. “We actually took a step backward,” Bywater said about the game that featured a “good” Viewmont team returning about 13 players, but that was no where near as good as last year’s Vikings squad. In the first 20 minutes of the game, Bywater said his team was executing and performing well, and his expectations rose for a closely-contested, high-quality match. But that changed after the Vikings scored their first goal at about the 17th minute of the first half. “We just kind of stopped playing, and we were just hanging on,” Bywater said, as the Bees’ defensive discipline dissolved and they were unable to maintain possession on the attack. “We just made it a lot more easy for them...after they scored that first goal. The result was definitely deserved.” Bywater said his team recognized what happened—that they mentally gave up and allowed that first goal to dictate the outcome of the game—which he said was a positive takeaway from an otherwise disappointing outing. The Bees had one game this week, a non-region contest at Cottonwood on Tuesday (results not available by press time). Before the game, Bywater said he was glad for a non-region game to give the team some time to continue developing chemistry, and to work on finishing scoring opportunities before the team’s next region contest on Tuesday, April 9, on the road at Farmington. “It allows us to regroup and focus...and hopefully start to put away those ‘sitters’ [easy scoring opportunities in front of the net] as they call them in the game,” Bywater said. |
Bees lose game to Bountiful, bounce back against Roy
April 3, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer The Box Elder High School softball team picked up a much-needed region win last Wednesday when they notched a come-from-behind win over Roy, 4-3, after losing 9-1 to Bountiful the day before. On Tuesday, March 26, afternoon, the Bees knew they’d have their work cut out for them as the Braves entered the game ranked fourth in the 5A classification according to the Deseret News, and carried some extra motivation from falling to the Bees in the state championship round in the two team’s last meeting. The Braves jumped out to an early lead and built a 5-0 advantage after four innings. The Bees found a bright spot when Mallory Merrill sent a solo shot deep for her second home run of the year, but that was all the offense the Bees could muster as the Braves cruised to the win. Things again started slowly for the Bees the next day as the Royals fought their way to a 3-0 lead at the end of five innings. The Bees then finally found some offensive rhythm and drove in two runs in the top of the sixth and two more in the seventh to overtake the lead. The defense then buckled down and blanked the Royals in the final frame to hold on for the win. Following the week, Bees’ head coach Taleas Marble said she saw the team build their confidence one game to the next and that was a great thing to see. “The Bountiful game was kind of rough. We had too many errors, both in the field and just mental mistakes, and that put us into a hole,” Marble said. “But against Roy, we hit the ball a lot better. We were getting runners on base every inning. We just left them on too much early. But we finally got a run in the sixth and I think that lit a fire in their belly that carried them through.” The week moves the Bees to 2-3 in region play and keeps them in the thick of the early-season playoff hunt. After the first round of games, the Braves have separated themselves as the team to beat with a 5-0 record, and Viewmont couldn’t pick up a region win and sit at 0-5. Farmington and Woods Cross each finished with a 3-2 record while the Bees and Royals both sit at 2-3. When asked about the team’s focus this week, coach Marble said, “We’re going to hit a lot. We’re finally starting to hit the ball better and we want to keep that going. We’ve got a ton of speed this year, so if we can string some hits together, that will be big for us.” The Bees will be off this week for spring break and will be back in action on Tuesday on the road to start the second round of region play against the Vikings. The team will also be in action back at home next Friday afternoon in a non-region game when they host the defending 6A state champion Herriman Mustangs. Both games next week are scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. |
BEHS color guard finishes second at state
The Color Guard will present a showcase at their invitational called “Polar Lights” which will be performed on Wed. April 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the BEHS gym.
The performance will showcase the group’s successful season, which they ended with a second place finish at State. They also had three top three finishes, and a fifth- and seventh- place finish at competitions prior to state.
The team showed dedication throughout the season, said coach Carol Dittli.
Practice begins at 6 a.m. four days a week, and Dittli said they have put in more than over hours preparing for the competition.
This year was particularly challenging with illness, broken bones and multiple injuries. Dittli is proud of the team’s support for each other. Dittli is also assisted by Madi Bott.
“I am so proud of each and every member of the Guard. You have been phenomenal this year and it has been a joy to be your director. Thank you for your dedication, your perseverance, and your love of this support!” said Dittli, “A big thank you to our parents who have also gotten up early for practices, spent hours building backgrounds, sewing flags, helping with fundraisers, watching over the guard in the stands, and so much more. Without you Color Guard would cease to exist. Thank you friends, and the community for your support as well.”
The Color Guard will present a showcase at their invitational called “Polar Lights” which will be performed on Wed. April 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the BEHS gym.
The performance will showcase the group’s successful season, which they ended with a second place finish at State. They also had three top three finishes, and a fifth- and seventh- place finish at competitions prior to state.
The team showed dedication throughout the season, said coach Carol Dittli.
Practice begins at 6 a.m. four days a week, and Dittli said they have put in more than over hours preparing for the competition.
This year was particularly challenging with illness, broken bones and multiple injuries. Dittli is proud of the team’s support for each other. Dittli is also assisted by Madi Bott.
“I am so proud of each and every member of the Guard. You have been phenomenal this year and it has been a joy to be your director. Thank you for your dedication, your perseverance, and your love of this support!” said Dittli, “A big thank you to our parents who have also gotten up early for practices, spent hours building backgrounds, sewing flags, helping with fundraisers, watching over the guard in the stands, and so much more. Without you Color Guard would cease to exist. Thank you friends, and the community for your support as well.”
Big innings bite Bees in two losses
March 27, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
When talking about early-season keys to success, Box Elder High School head baseball coach Jesse Roberts said the team would need to eliminate big innings from their opponents and put complete games together.
That counsel held true this week as a couple of key innings got away from the Bees and the team fell twice on the road, first to Weber, 9-4, last Tuesday, then 6-2 against Mountain Crest on Thursday.
Against the Warriors, the Bees gave up seven runs between the fourth and sixth innings, which opened up an otherwise tight game.
The Bees also struggled to find much offense until the final frame, when they posted three runs, but the game was already in hand for the home team.
On Thursday in Hyrum, the Bees jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and held it until the third, when the Mustangs exploded for five runs in the frame and never looked back.
Senior pitcher Ryan Gunn took the loss for the Bees on the mound while Caleb Archibald collected the win for the Mustangs.
Talking after the games, coach Roberts reiterated the team’s need to clean up some mistakes and not forget the little things that can make a big difference in a game.
“Against [the Mustangs], we started that third inning with two walks, a hit, and an error defensively,” Roberts said. “It’s not very often that you get double the hits of the other team and still end up losing. So we definitely need some guys to step up and make the right plays.”
The Bees posted six hits in the game to the Mustang’s three.
Coach Roberts went on to say, “This week, we’re looking to tune things up and be really ready for region play in a couple of weeks. We want to focus on doing the small things and just get better each day.”
The team had a game scheduled for Saturday morning against Maple Mountain. That game was set to be played in Brigham City, but was moved to Maple Mountain due to sloppy field conditions.
The weather took a turn for the worse on Friday in Utah County after three and a half innings of play, and the remainder of the game had to be postponed. The game will be completed tomorrow afternoon in Brigham City.
The week drops the Bees to 3-5 in the preseason, with just one more tune-up game before starting region play on April 9 at home against Olympus at 3:30 p.m.
March 27, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
When talking about early-season keys to success, Box Elder High School head baseball coach Jesse Roberts said the team would need to eliminate big innings from their opponents and put complete games together.
That counsel held true this week as a couple of key innings got away from the Bees and the team fell twice on the road, first to Weber, 9-4, last Tuesday, then 6-2 against Mountain Crest on Thursday.
Against the Warriors, the Bees gave up seven runs between the fourth and sixth innings, which opened up an otherwise tight game.
The Bees also struggled to find much offense until the final frame, when they posted three runs, but the game was already in hand for the home team.
On Thursday in Hyrum, the Bees jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning and held it until the third, when the Mustangs exploded for five runs in the frame and never looked back.
Senior pitcher Ryan Gunn took the loss for the Bees on the mound while Caleb Archibald collected the win for the Mustangs.
Talking after the games, coach Roberts reiterated the team’s need to clean up some mistakes and not forget the little things that can make a big difference in a game.
“Against [the Mustangs], we started that third inning with two walks, a hit, and an error defensively,” Roberts said. “It’s not very often that you get double the hits of the other team and still end up losing. So we definitely need some guys to step up and make the right plays.”
The Bees posted six hits in the game to the Mustang’s three.
Coach Roberts went on to say, “This week, we’re looking to tune things up and be really ready for region play in a couple of weeks. We want to focus on doing the small things and just get better each day.”
The team had a game scheduled for Saturday morning against Maple Mountain. That game was set to be played in Brigham City, but was moved to Maple Mountain due to sloppy field conditions.
The weather took a turn for the worse on Friday in Utah County after three and a half innings of play, and the remainder of the game had to be postponed. The game will be completed tomorrow afternoon in Brigham City.
The week drops the Bees to 3-5 in the preseason, with just one more tune-up game before starting region play on April 9 at home against Olympus at 3:30 p.m.
A Bear River defender gets physical to stop the attack of the Bees’ Reggie Greer, who tested the Bear’s defense all game, and who finally broke through in the second overtime to score the game-winner.
Bees keep the County Cup in double overtime thriller
March 20, 2019 • Sean Hales • Managing Editor
For nearly all of two regulation periods and an overtime, the Bees tried to find forward Reggie Greer on the wing to generate scoring opportunities against Bear River.
In all that time, over and over, the Bears’ defenders—particularly their center backs—were able to keep Greer contained and break up plays.
“We kept trying to break them down,” said Box Elder head coach Nate Bywater about the play.
But in the second overtime, a pass to the wing found Greer in a position that left just him and the Bears’ keeper, who had come out of the net to cut down the angle. Greer was able to slip the ball past the keeper and preserve Box Elder’s possession of the County Cup.
“Any win is good, but anytime you get a win you have to battle for it’s even better,” said Bywater about the Bees’ 2-1 double overtime victory last Friday.
While Greer will get much of the credit for scoring the goal, it was set up with a couple of individual efforts that came at just the right time, Bywater said.
Josh Duncan challenged the ball as Bear River was transitioning into an attack. With the Bears looking downfield, the Bees’ Parker Singleton found the ball, and placed the pass to Greer.
“We got a quick counter...which caught them out of position,” said Bywater, who continued that he was pleased with his team’s tenacity in adversity, especially considering that this early in the season, the Bees have only 35-40 minutes of “in-shape” game time. “It really showed what our character can be in situations where you have to win the game.”
It was that early-season conditioning, combined with the fact that up to 15 Box Elder players were returning from injury or illness, that led to the overtime period in the first place, according to Bywater.
Box Elder struck first in the game when, at the end of the first period, Dathan Ranjel gained control of a ball pin-balling in front of the net after a corner kick and was able to fire it past the keeper.
It was the highlight of a period that could have seen Box Elder ahead by a larger margin. Part of that was the field conditions, Bywater said, which made it difficult to control the ball and often led to strange bounces. The other part was illustrated by an opportunity earlier in the first half when Box Elder was unable to capitalize on a rebound that led to a wide open net; the shot bounced harmlessly off the side of the frame.
“For me, that’s kind of where we’re at,” Bywater said. “We’re just not sure of our touch...we’re just not confident in front of the goal.”
In the second half, Box Elder played more conservatively, favoring a defensive posture to protect the lead. And for all of regulation, it worked. And if the game had ended in 80 minutes, the Bees’ one goal would have been enough.
But stoppage time added to the game from Box Elder players going down with cramps—due to conditioning and recently returning from injury or illness—gave the Bear just enough time to tie the game with a long shot over into the corner the Box Elder keeper.
Bywater said some thought the Bees were “delaying” the game with the complaints of cramps, and that it was their fault the game went into overtime.
“As much as we’d like to have that game finish in regulation, it is what it is,” said Bywater.
Bywater said that while it’s nice to keep the cup at home, the real value of a game like that—with something on the line against a tough opponent and rival—is the “invaluable” opportunity for development it provides early in the season.
“I thought it was a fun game,” Bywater said. “I think it benefited both groups as we head into region play.
Box Elder hosted Jordan yesterday (results not available by press time), and will play their first region contest at home against Viewmont on Thursday. As of Monday, the Vikings are 1-0-2, with ties against Cyprus and Davis, before blowing out Lone Peak, 4-0.
The game is scheduled to kick-off at 3:30 p.m.
For nearly all of two regulation periods and an overtime, the Bees tried to find forward Reggie Greer on the wing to generate scoring opportunities against Bear River.
In all that time, over and over, the Bears’ defenders—particularly their center backs—were able to keep Greer contained and break up plays.
“We kept trying to break them down,” said Box Elder head coach Nate Bywater about the play.
But in the second overtime, a pass to the wing found Greer in a position that left just him and the Bears’ keeper, who had come out of the net to cut down the angle. Greer was able to slip the ball past the keeper and preserve Box Elder’s possession of the County Cup.
“Any win is good, but anytime you get a win you have to battle for it’s even better,” said Bywater about the Bees’ 2-1 double overtime victory last Friday.
While Greer will get much of the credit for scoring the goal, it was set up with a couple of individual efforts that came at just the right time, Bywater said.
Josh Duncan challenged the ball as Bear River was transitioning into an attack. With the Bears looking downfield, the Bees’ Parker Singleton found the ball, and placed the pass to Greer.
“We got a quick counter...which caught them out of position,” said Bywater, who continued that he was pleased with his team’s tenacity in adversity, especially considering that this early in the season, the Bees have only 35-40 minutes of “in-shape” game time. “It really showed what our character can be in situations where you have to win the game.”
It was that early-season conditioning, combined with the fact that up to 15 Box Elder players were returning from injury or illness, that led to the overtime period in the first place, according to Bywater.
Box Elder struck first in the game when, at the end of the first period, Dathan Ranjel gained control of a ball pin-balling in front of the net after a corner kick and was able to fire it past the keeper.
It was the highlight of a period that could have seen Box Elder ahead by a larger margin. Part of that was the field conditions, Bywater said, which made it difficult to control the ball and often led to strange bounces. The other part was illustrated by an opportunity earlier in the first half when Box Elder was unable to capitalize on a rebound that led to a wide open net; the shot bounced harmlessly off the side of the frame.
“For me, that’s kind of where we’re at,” Bywater said. “We’re just not sure of our touch...we’re just not confident in front of the goal.”
In the second half, Box Elder played more conservatively, favoring a defensive posture to protect the lead. And for all of regulation, it worked. And if the game had ended in 80 minutes, the Bees’ one goal would have been enough.
But stoppage time added to the game from Box Elder players going down with cramps—due to conditioning and recently returning from injury or illness—gave the Bear just enough time to tie the game with a long shot over into the corner the Box Elder keeper.
Bywater said some thought the Bees were “delaying” the game with the complaints of cramps, and that it was their fault the game went into overtime.
“As much as we’d like to have that game finish in regulation, it is what it is,” said Bywater.
Bywater said that while it’s nice to keep the cup at home, the real value of a game like that—with something on the line against a tough opponent and rival—is the “invaluable” opportunity for development it provides early in the season.
“I thought it was a fun game,” Bywater said. “I think it benefited both groups as we head into region play.
Box Elder hosted Jordan yesterday (results not available by press time), and will play their first region contest at home against Viewmont on Thursday. As of Monday, the Vikings are 1-0-2, with ties against Cyprus and Davis, before blowing out Lone Peak, 4-0.
The game is scheduled to kick-off at 3:30 p.m.
‘Fun-spirited and full of life’
Perry 7 year old suffering with tumors in optical lobe, Chiari Malformation brain defect, to benefit from event
Seven-year-old Brynn Vaughn of Perry is this year’s recipient of an alumni charity basketball tournament scheduled for March 22 and 23, at Box Elder High School.
Brynn, the youngest of four daughters of daughter of Ryan and Alisha Vaughn, was selected to receive proceeds from the Todd Morrison Alumni Tournament (TMAT), which will feature former BEHS basketball players that were members of teams from 1987 through 2017.
Doctors discovered two large inoperable tumors in Brynn in July 2018, one along her optical nerve located in the middle of her brain called the chiasm, and another in the frontal lobe.
If that wasn’t enough, doctors also discovered a defect in her brain called Chiari Malformation, which inhibits spinal fluid to flow from the brain to the spine, causing clotting or cysts in the spinal cord.
Because Brynn’s tumors in her brain nearly doubled in size by October 2018, she was unable to have needed surgery for the Chiari Malformation. Instead, she was admitted to Primary Children’s Hospital where she began her first round of chemotherapy to stop the growth of her tumors.
If all goes well after a year of chemotherapy, she will undergo decompression surgery for the Chiari Malformation, according to her mother, Alisha Vaughn.
“It all feels so overwhelming,” she said, not only of her daughter’s plight, but of the charitable basketball event. “But it does make you feel good knowing people are mindful of our situation and want to help. We are being blessed.”
Alisha Vaughn described her daughter as special, fun-spirited, inquisitive, full of life, and joyous.
“Honestly, I think because of her spirit to fight, this thing it doesn’t wear her down and actually lightens the load some. I know she doesn’t understand everything, but she’s willing to do what she’s asked to,” said Alisha Vaughn.
Brynn enjoys gymnastics, softball, piano, bowling and speaking Spanish.
“Brynn always finds ways to make people smile and maybe even cringe a little,” said Alisha Vaughn. “Brynn is a joy in our life and family, she is our little bean.”
Kyler Mecham, spokesperson for the TMAT tournament, is encouraging the public to support the tournament in order to support Brynn.
“Some of our players are a little older and out of shape but there are still some good players in the mix,” he said.
The tournament, now in its 26th year, has raised a total of $250,000 for recipients like Brynn and her family. Money will come from tournament entrance fees, spectator fees, community sponsors, concessions and a silent auction.
“Typically, we find children who suffer with some serious injury or disease as recipients,” Mecham said. “When we got to know Brynn and her family, we realized they were perfect for this. I know they’re going through a tough situation but hopefully we can be some assistance. I can’t say enough good things about the Vaughn family.”
The triple-elimination tournament of 24 teams will consist of three brackets: young, not-so-young and older. Play will begin Friday, March 22, at 6 p.m. at the high school and continue all day Saturday.
Around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, a short ceremony will be held just before the championship game to honor Brynn and her family.
“Each year we’re getting bigger and bigger because of amazing community support,” Mecham said. “This is a special time to gather for a good cause.”
Perry 7 year old suffering with tumors in optical lobe, Chiari Malformation brain defect, to benefit from event
Seven-year-old Brynn Vaughn of Perry is this year’s recipient of an alumni charity basketball tournament scheduled for March 22 and 23, at Box Elder High School.
Brynn, the youngest of four daughters of daughter of Ryan and Alisha Vaughn, was selected to receive proceeds from the Todd Morrison Alumni Tournament (TMAT), which will feature former BEHS basketball players that were members of teams from 1987 through 2017.
Doctors discovered two large inoperable tumors in Brynn in July 2018, one along her optical nerve located in the middle of her brain called the chiasm, and another in the frontal lobe.
If that wasn’t enough, doctors also discovered a defect in her brain called Chiari Malformation, which inhibits spinal fluid to flow from the brain to the spine, causing clotting or cysts in the spinal cord.
Because Brynn’s tumors in her brain nearly doubled in size by October 2018, she was unable to have needed surgery for the Chiari Malformation. Instead, she was admitted to Primary Children’s Hospital where she began her first round of chemotherapy to stop the growth of her tumors.
If all goes well after a year of chemotherapy, she will undergo decompression surgery for the Chiari Malformation, according to her mother, Alisha Vaughn.
“It all feels so overwhelming,” she said, not only of her daughter’s plight, but of the charitable basketball event. “But it does make you feel good knowing people are mindful of our situation and want to help. We are being blessed.”
Alisha Vaughn described her daughter as special, fun-spirited, inquisitive, full of life, and joyous.
“Honestly, I think because of her spirit to fight, this thing it doesn’t wear her down and actually lightens the load some. I know she doesn’t understand everything, but she’s willing to do what she’s asked to,” said Alisha Vaughn.
Brynn enjoys gymnastics, softball, piano, bowling and speaking Spanish.
“Brynn always finds ways to make people smile and maybe even cringe a little,” said Alisha Vaughn. “Brynn is a joy in our life and family, she is our little bean.”
Kyler Mecham, spokesperson for the TMAT tournament, is encouraging the public to support the tournament in order to support Brynn.
“Some of our players are a little older and out of shape but there are still some good players in the mix,” he said.
The tournament, now in its 26th year, has raised a total of $250,000 for recipients like Brynn and her family. Money will come from tournament entrance fees, spectator fees, community sponsors, concessions and a silent auction.
“Typically, we find children who suffer with some serious injury or disease as recipients,” Mecham said. “When we got to know Brynn and her family, we realized they were perfect for this. I know they’re going through a tough situation but hopefully we can be some assistance. I can’t say enough good things about the Vaughn family.”
The triple-elimination tournament of 24 teams will consist of three brackets: young, not-so-young and older. Play will begin Friday, March 22, at 6 p.m. at the high school and continue all day Saturday.
Around 8:30 p.m. Saturday, a short ceremony will be held just before the championship game to honor Brynn and her family.
“Each year we’re getting bigger and bigger because of amazing community support,” Mecham said. “This is a special time to gather for a good cause.”
Courtesy Boyd Lancaster
Conner Stevenson avoids getting tagged at home plate in the Bees’ win over Carbon at the Donnie Pymm First Pitch Classic held in St. George last weekend.
Bees split results in four games in St. George
March 13, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School baseball team got their first taste of in-game action last weekend at the Donnie Pymm First Pitch Classic held in St. George. The team played four games and grabbed wins over Carbon and Bonneville while falling to Cedar and Bear River.
The Bees looked a little shaky in their first game on Friday, against the Redmen from Cedar City, and gave up nine runs in the first inning. It was a bigger hole than they could climb out of.
The Redmen posted six more runs in the third inning on their way to taking the win, 16-5. Junior pitcher Dalton Gronning grabbed the win for the Redmen, while Tyler Moffitt took the loss from the pitching mound for the Bees.
The Bees didn’t have much time to lick their wounds as they were right back on the field later Friday afternoon to take on the Dinos from Price.
Both teams were looking for a win with the Dinos coming off a morning loss to the Bears, and it was the Dinos who struck first with two runs in the first inning.
Box Elder shored up their defense and kept Price off the board for the next three innings while they proceeded to build a 5-2 lead.
The Dinos got within two runs late in the game, but never retook the lead as the Bees got the win 6-4.
On Saturday, the Bees didn’t need any extra motivation as they took on familiar rival Bear River, who were riding high after beating both the Redmen and the Dinos on Friday.
And the Bears showed their confidence as well as ability during a five-run second inning that broke the game open early.
Consistent offense the rest of the way for the Bears proved too much for the Bees to overcome as the Bears completed the tournament sweep and got the win 11-7.
Parker Coombs recorded the win from the mound for the Bears while Logan Holgate took the loss for the Bees.
The Bees then wrapped up the tournament against Bonneville on Saturday evening and finished on a high note as they battled to an 8-7 victory.
After the tournament, Bees’ head coach Jesse Roberts said he was happy with the outcomes and some of the things learned from the weekend.
“We gave up a couple of big innings in the games we lost and that’s where it got away from us,” Roberts said. “But overall, a 2-2 result is very respectable. We saw some really nice things and had some guys step up we weren’t even expecting, so that was great to see.”
Roberts specifically pointed to Ryan Greer and Nate Wheatley as big contributors to the team’s success when he said, “Ryan Greer pitched the best game I’ve ever seen him pitch in getting the win over Carbon. And Nate Wheatley hit the ball really well all tournament. He came up big for us offensively the whole weekend.”
Coming back from the tournament, the Bees won’t get too much of a break as the team was back in action yesterday in their home opener against Logan (results not available by press time). The game was moved to Brigham City due to wet field conditions in Cache Valley. The Grizzlies entered the game with a 1-3 record so far in the preseason.
The Bees will take the field again tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday, March 13, at Fremont. The Silverwolves will be looking to improve on their 2-2 mark and most recently picked up a 13-6 win over Orem. The game against the Silverwolves is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.
Conner Stevenson avoids getting tagged at home plate in the Bees’ win over Carbon at the Donnie Pymm First Pitch Classic held in St. George last weekend.
Bees split results in four games in St. George
March 13, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School baseball team got their first taste of in-game action last weekend at the Donnie Pymm First Pitch Classic held in St. George. The team played four games and grabbed wins over Carbon and Bonneville while falling to Cedar and Bear River.
The Bees looked a little shaky in their first game on Friday, against the Redmen from Cedar City, and gave up nine runs in the first inning. It was a bigger hole than they could climb out of.
The Redmen posted six more runs in the third inning on their way to taking the win, 16-5. Junior pitcher Dalton Gronning grabbed the win for the Redmen, while Tyler Moffitt took the loss from the pitching mound for the Bees.
The Bees didn’t have much time to lick their wounds as they were right back on the field later Friday afternoon to take on the Dinos from Price.
Both teams were looking for a win with the Dinos coming off a morning loss to the Bears, and it was the Dinos who struck first with two runs in the first inning.
Box Elder shored up their defense and kept Price off the board for the next three innings while they proceeded to build a 5-2 lead.
The Dinos got within two runs late in the game, but never retook the lead as the Bees got the win 6-4.
On Saturday, the Bees didn’t need any extra motivation as they took on familiar rival Bear River, who were riding high after beating both the Redmen and the Dinos on Friday.
And the Bears showed their confidence as well as ability during a five-run second inning that broke the game open early.
Consistent offense the rest of the way for the Bears proved too much for the Bees to overcome as the Bears completed the tournament sweep and got the win 11-7.
Parker Coombs recorded the win from the mound for the Bears while Logan Holgate took the loss for the Bees.
The Bees then wrapped up the tournament against Bonneville on Saturday evening and finished on a high note as they battled to an 8-7 victory.
After the tournament, Bees’ head coach Jesse Roberts said he was happy with the outcomes and some of the things learned from the weekend.
“We gave up a couple of big innings in the games we lost and that’s where it got away from us,” Roberts said. “But overall, a 2-2 result is very respectable. We saw some really nice things and had some guys step up we weren’t even expecting, so that was great to see.”
Roberts specifically pointed to Ryan Greer and Nate Wheatley as big contributors to the team’s success when he said, “Ryan Greer pitched the best game I’ve ever seen him pitch in getting the win over Carbon. And Nate Wheatley hit the ball really well all tournament. He came up big for us offensively the whole weekend.”
Coming back from the tournament, the Bees won’t get too much of a break as the team was back in action yesterday in their home opener against Logan (results not available by press time). The game was moved to Brigham City due to wet field conditions in Cache Valley. The Grizzlies entered the game with a 1-3 record so far in the preseason.
The Bees will take the field again tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday, March 13, at Fremont. The Silverwolves will be looking to improve on their 2-2 mark and most recently picked up a 13-6 win over Orem. The game against the Silverwolves is scheduled to start at 3 p.m.
BOX ELDER HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SEASON PREVIEW
Team has two ‘solid’ pitchers, positive energy as season begins this week at St. George tournament
March 6, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School baseball team hit the dirt last week for the first time and is preparing this week to head to St. George on Friday for the Donnie Pymm First Pitch Classic, where the team will get its first taste of varsity play in 2019.
Bees’ head coach Jessie Roberts says the team is excited to be together and is anxiously looking forward to the upcoming season.
“I think the energy around the team is really positive as we’re looking ahead to the beginning-of-the-year tournament in St. George,” Roberts said. “We feel like we have two solid starters [on the mound], and will be looking to the early weeks to establish a third starter, but we feel like we have plenty of options for that third starter right now.”
Those two starters are Tyler Moffitt and Logan Holgate, both of whom were part of last year’s second-place finish in region, and who will be looking to help propel the Bees to the top of the standings this year.
The Bees will be looking to lean on a lot of experience as they are planning on starting seniors in seven of nine defensive positions in their season opener.
Another key starter figures to be first baseman Ryan Grier, who will also get some time on the pitcher’s mound and who packs a punch at the plate.
“[Ryan] brings a ton of power at the plate and we’ll rely on him for lots of offensive production,” Roberts said.
At the Donnie Pymm Classic, the Bees will square off against both Cedar and Carbon on Friday, then take on cross-county rivals Bear River on Saturday.
The team has six additional preseason games on the schedule, with the first four being on the road before their home opener on March 23 against Maple Mountain.
The final tune-up game will be a home game against Olympus on April 2 before the team starts region play against Farmington on April 9.
The Bees will get one three-game series against each region opponent, concluding with a series against Roy on May 7-9 ahead of the state tournament, which should start the week of May 13.
Last year’s region champs, Viewmont, had a senior-laden group last year and may experience a bit of a slump this season as they try to rebuild, while the Bees and Bountiful had young teams last year and will be looking for more production from their experience this year.
When asked about the team’s keys to success this season, coach Roberts was very direct. “Throw strikes,” he said. “I think if our pitchers throw strikes, our defense is good enough and our offense is good enough that we’ll contain most teams defensively and be able to outscore most teams offensively so long as we’re not giving up too many free passes.”
The season opener against Cedar from St. George is scheduled to start this Friday at 10 a.m.
BOX ELDER HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS' BASKETBALL SEASON REVIEW
Bees dominate region in ‘really, really good’ season
March 6, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
With an average margin of victory of 22 points in region play, and a second region championship in three years, the Box Elder High School girls’ basketball team had a stranglehold on Region 5 all season, and that momentum carried them to the state quarterfinals.
The Bees wanted to challenge themselves in the preseason and squared off against some of the best in the state in the early going. The team faced eventual 6A tournament finalist Copper Hills and 6A semifinalist Fremont, along with 5A finalist Corner Canyon, and, while losing to all three, the Bees proved to themselves they could compete with the top teams around.
Once region play began, the Bees found another gear and ripped off nine straight wins to secure their first outright region championship since the mid-1980s.
All season, the team looked to their two senior leaders in four-year starter Emily Isaacson and three-year starter Morgan Reeder.
Isaacson led the team in scoring and rebounding, and nearly averaged a double-double on the year as she netted just under 17 points per game while grabbing 9.7 rebounds per outing.
To take some of the attention off her Dixie State-bound teammate, Reeder proved a valuable second option and averaged 15.5 points per game along with 5.4 rebounds per night.
In scouting the Bees, opponents tried several tactics to take away the two leading scorers, including employing a triangle-and-2 defensive approach, so the Bees needed contributions from other places and got them from junior guard Jenna Mortensen, who was third on the team in scoring with an eight-point-per-game on average, and sophomore forward Annika Quayle, who averaged just under eight points per game and grabbed 6.3 rebounds per contest.
All that success had the Bees riding high heading into the state tournament and they dispatched Highland in the first round before falling to Wasatch 55-54 in the quarterfinals to end their season.
In looking back on the year, Bees’ head coach Aaron Dooley said, “I feel like we had a really, really good season. We played extremely well in region play, and I feel like we played some of the best teams in the state and competed with them. Even at the end, I really feel like we were right there with anybody in the state.”
Coach Dooley went on to contribute much of the team’s success to his senior leaders when he said, “Emily Isaacson is a four-year varsity starter, and in my time she’s scored more points than any other player we’ve had. Seeing the hard work and devotion she has put into her craft to be the best she could be is all you could ask for.”
Coach Dooley had an equally glowing review when talking about Reeder.
“Morgan has been a four-year varsity contributor for us, and talk about a girl that has always gotten better and continued climbing,” Dooley said. “I think this year she really took a lot on herself to make sure she was as much of a threat as anybody on the court. I think she took some region opponents by surprise this year and gave us a big lift.”
All that work paid off for both seniors as Reeder finished as the co-defensive player of the year in Region 5, while Isaacson was named the Region 5 MVP.
With those two leaving big shoes to fill, Dooley said, looking ahead to next year, “We have plenty of girls with capabilities to fill those shoes, and if those girls get a few more shots per game, their point totals are going to go up. We’re also very comfortable in making sure it’s a team effort and we’ll keep running our sets to get the best shots we can.”
The Bees are planning an off-season schedule where they’ll play nearly 50 games over the spring and summer to stay sharp and prepare to defend their region title.
BOX ELDER HIGH SCHOOL BOYS' BASKETBALL SEASON REVIEW
After disappointing season, coach optimistic for future as many young players will return with varsity experience
March 6, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
In a season that didn’t go as planned as they battled injuries and roster changes in addition to the usual growing pains and ups and downs of a season, the Box Elder High School boys’ basketball team was able to take away some valuable lessons it can use moving ahead.
The Bees finished with a 4-16 mark on the year, including a 2-8 record in region play. Both region wins came against Roy.
The team had a tough preseason schedule as it prepared for the challenges Region 5 would inevitably bring, and that stretch truly tested the team’s character.
The Bees got their first win of the year on the road over Ridgeline when junior guard Riley Dahlgren hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give the Bees a one-point win. It was one of the highlights of the season.
But a bad loss to the eventual 4A state runner-up, Bear River, highlighted the defensive struggles the Bees would face all year long.
“We obviously expected to be a lot better this year,” Bee’s head coach Jace McKee said. “We certainly had some roadblocks and rough patches, especially in the early going. We didn’t defend as well as we needed to and we didn’t have the consistency on the court.”
McKee continued, “Despite all that, I thought the kids kept working. As the year went on, especially during the second half of region, we started to play more like how I thought we were capable. Once we got some guys healthy and we got into a rotation with some consistency, we started defending better and giving up fewer points.”
With improved defensive performances, the Bees had tight games with Viewmont, Farmington, and Woods Cross — all during the second half of the regular season — yet couldn’t get over the hump and lost each of those games.
However, between hard-learned lessons and other factors, the Bees have reason to be optimistic.
The team will return two of its top three scorers in Dahlgren and sophomore forward Parker Buchanan. Buchanan led the team, averaging just over 18 points per game along with a team-high six rebounds per contest.
Senior guard Ronnie Smith was second on the team with nine points per game, and Dahlgren was third as he scored a shade over eight points per outing. Dahlgren was also the most prolific 3-point threat for the Bees as he hit 41 shots from downtown on the season.
Also, many underclassmen were thrown into the fray this season, which should help the team heading into the off-season and ahead into next year.
When asked about the experience he gained, Buchanan said, “I learned how to deal with adversity this year. We didn’t have the best year and we were down in most games, but we learned to just keep fighting no matter what the score was and just play our hardest.”
In state tournament news, Region 5 had a disappointing showing as all four teams from the region lost in the first round: top-seeded Bountiful upset by Highland, second-seed Farmington falling to Murray, third-place Viewmont knocked off by East, and fourth-place Woods Cross getting blown out by Olympus.
At the end of the day on Saturday, Corner Canyon hoisted the state-championship trophy after beating Jordan, 62-45.
One-point heartbreaker against Wasatch sends Bees packing from state tournament
February 27, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
It was a bitter end to a highly successful season for the Box Elder high school girls’ basketball team last Thursday when the team lost a one-point heartbreaker in the state tournament quarterfinals to Wasatch, 54-55, after beating Highland, 36-23, in the first round.
In the win over Highland, the Bees used some tenacious defensive pressure to keep the Rams in check despite struggling from the field themselves.
Emily Isaacson, the leading scorer for the Bees all season, was held to just eight points, though fellow senior Morgan Reeder led all scorers with 14 points in the win. Sophomore post player Annika Quayle also contributed by coming up with timely rebounds and finished with 10 boards on the night.
No Highland player cracked double-digit scoring, though Kaija Glasker ripped down 10 rebounds of her own in the loss.
The win over the Rams set up the game against the Wasps, which the Bees had been looking forward to since the tournament bracket was set.
Bees’ head coach Aaron Dooley said, “[The Wasps] had been ranked just ahead of us all season in the polls, so we were excited to come out and show what we could do.”
The Bees did just that in the second quarter when they went on a 24-12 run that gave them a nine-point advantage heading into the halftime break.
Junior guard Jenna Mortensen was a key factor in that run and she finished with a team-high 16 points on the night. Isaacson also added 13 points and 13 rebounds.
The Bees stretched their lead to 12 points heading into the final period before things started to unravel on the offensive end just as the Wasps started heating up from the field.
Facing elimination, Tori Dorius poured in a career-high 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Lexy Mackay got hot from outside and dropped in four 3-pointers, and Mackenzie McBride added another 10 for the Wasps to pull within a point of the Bees with less than a minute remaining in the game.
Dorius capped her scoring night with two clutch free throws with 12 seconds remaining on the clock that gave the Wasps a one-point lead.
The Bees got two good looks at the basket on their final possession, but neither shot would drop as the Wasps held on for the win.
Once the dust had settled, coach Dooley said, “Everyone at the state tournament is good. Our girls played well and I think their character really came through tonight in a tough situation. We played hard and got the looks we wanted, we just couldn’t get one more to go down tonight.”
The loss knocked the Bees out of the state tournament while the win for the Wasps propelled them on to play East, who beat the Wasps 57-48 en route to winning the 5A state championship with a 72-65 win over Corner Canyon
It was a bitter end to a highly successful season for the Box Elder high school girls’ basketball team last Thursday when the team lost a one-point heartbreaker in the state tournament quarterfinals to Wasatch, 54-55, after beating Highland, 36-23, in the first round.
In the win over Highland, the Bees used some tenacious defensive pressure to keep the Rams in check despite struggling from the field themselves.
Emily Isaacson, the leading scorer for the Bees all season, was held to just eight points, though fellow senior Morgan Reeder led all scorers with 14 points in the win. Sophomore post player Annika Quayle also contributed by coming up with timely rebounds and finished with 10 boards on the night.
No Highland player cracked double-digit scoring, though Kaija Glasker ripped down 10 rebounds of her own in the loss.
The win over the Rams set up the game against the Wasps, which the Bees had been looking forward to since the tournament bracket was set.
Bees’ head coach Aaron Dooley said, “[The Wasps] had been ranked just ahead of us all season in the polls, so we were excited to come out and show what we could do.”
The Bees did just that in the second quarter when they went on a 24-12 run that gave them a nine-point advantage heading into the halftime break.
Junior guard Jenna Mortensen was a key factor in that run and she finished with a team-high 16 points on the night. Isaacson also added 13 points and 13 rebounds.
The Bees stretched their lead to 12 points heading into the final period before things started to unravel on the offensive end just as the Wasps started heating up from the field.
Facing elimination, Tori Dorius poured in a career-high 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Lexy Mackay got hot from outside and dropped in four 3-pointers, and Mackenzie McBride added another 10 for the Wasps to pull within a point of the Bees with less than a minute remaining in the game.
Dorius capped her scoring night with two clutch free throws with 12 seconds remaining on the clock that gave the Wasps a one-point lead.
The Bees got two good looks at the basket on their final possession, but neither shot would drop as the Wasps held on for the win.
Once the dust had settled, coach Dooley said, “Everyone at the state tournament is good. Our girls played well and I think their character really came through tonight in a tough situation. We played hard and got the looks we wanted, we just couldn’t get one more to go down tonight.”
The loss knocked the Bees out of the state tournament while the win for the Wasps propelled them on to play East, who beat the Wasps 57-48 en route to winning the 5A state championship with a 72-65 win over Corner Canyon
Bees end 4-16 season with loss to Vikings
February 27, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
A difficult season came to an end last Wednesday for the Box Elder High School boys’ basketball team after dropping its final contest of the year, against Viewmont, 43-52.
The Bees were unable to overcome some offensive struggles in the second half that allowed the Vikings to take the win.
“We had moments where we played really well,” said Box Elder head coach Jace McKee. “I thought we defended a lot better tonight than we have in our past games, so that was good to see. But we struggled to finish in the second half and just couldn’t find enough baskets to get a win.”
The Bees’ defensive effort propelled them to a 24-21 halftime lead, but a lack of offense in the second half proved too much to overcome.
The Vikings erased their deficit in the third period, and stretched their lead in the fourth behind 13 points from senior forward Britton Anderson, 12 points from Parker Kearns, and 10 points from big man Dallin May, who also grabbed 10 rebounds in the win.
The Bees were led by senior guard Ronnie Smith, who scored 11 points, including knocking down three 3-pointers, and Parker Buchanan, who added 10 points.
McKee also noted his team’s difficulty rebounding, especially in the second half.
“We got beat on the boards tonight and that really hurt us,” McKee said. “We had some foul trouble early and that made it tough tonight.”
The Vikings took advantage of their size and snatched 28 rebounds on the night, compared to just 15 for the Bees.
The loss dropped the Bees to 2-8 in region play and finished their season with a 4-16 mark.
Despite the numbers, coach McKee said he was proud of his team’s effort and is looking to build from this year going forward.
“We had a lot of change over the course of the year, but I think the team we finished with was better than the record showed,” McKee said. “We had a few close games, especially during the second half of the season, that we just couldn’t get to go our way. But we were there competing with the better teams in our region and that’s where we want to be.”
In state tournament news from Region 5, Bountiful seized the top spot and squared off against Highland yesterday in the first round while second-seed Farmington drew Murray for their first round matchup. The third-place Vikings took on East and fourth-seeded Woods Cross got tournament-favorite Olympus yesterday afternoon.
All games in the state tournament will be played at Weber state with the championship game being held Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
February 27, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
A difficult season came to an end last Wednesday for the Box Elder High School boys’ basketball team after dropping its final contest of the year, against Viewmont, 43-52.
The Bees were unable to overcome some offensive struggles in the second half that allowed the Vikings to take the win.
“We had moments where we played really well,” said Box Elder head coach Jace McKee. “I thought we defended a lot better tonight than we have in our past games, so that was good to see. But we struggled to finish in the second half and just couldn’t find enough baskets to get a win.”
The Bees’ defensive effort propelled them to a 24-21 halftime lead, but a lack of offense in the second half proved too much to overcome.
The Vikings erased their deficit in the third period, and stretched their lead in the fourth behind 13 points from senior forward Britton Anderson, 12 points from Parker Kearns, and 10 points from big man Dallin May, who also grabbed 10 rebounds in the win.
The Bees were led by senior guard Ronnie Smith, who scored 11 points, including knocking down three 3-pointers, and Parker Buchanan, who added 10 points.
McKee also noted his team’s difficulty rebounding, especially in the second half.
“We got beat on the boards tonight and that really hurt us,” McKee said. “We had some foul trouble early and that made it tough tonight.”
The Vikings took advantage of their size and snatched 28 rebounds on the night, compared to just 15 for the Bees.
The loss dropped the Bees to 2-8 in region play and finished their season with a 4-16 mark.
Despite the numbers, coach McKee said he was proud of his team’s effort and is looking to build from this year going forward.
“We had a lot of change over the course of the year, but I think the team we finished with was better than the record showed,” McKee said. “We had a few close games, especially during the second half of the season, that we just couldn’t get to go our way. But we were there competing with the better teams in our region and that’s where we want to be.”
In state tournament news from Region 5, Bountiful seized the top spot and squared off against Highland yesterday in the first round while second-seed Farmington drew Murray for their first round matchup. The third-place Vikings took on East and fourth-seeded Woods Cross got tournament-favorite Olympus yesterday afternoon.
All games in the state tournament will be played at Weber state with the championship game being held Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
The Box Elder wrestling team poses with their second-place trophy at the conclusion of the 2019 5A State Wrestling Championship.
Youngsters lead Box Elder to second place
February 19, 2019 • Sean Hales • Managing Editor
The Box Elder High School wrestling team had two individual champions crowned on its way to taking home the second-place hardware from the State 5A Wrestling Tournament last week.
The Bees finished behind a dominant performance from Wasatch, a team the Bees beat by one point in the divisional tournament. The Wasps beat Box Elder by nearly 80 points at state, 287.5 - 209 to take home the title after finishing second behind Viewmont last year.
After the first day of competition, the Bees were well within striking distance, and behind Wasatch by just nine points. But as the day progressed Saturday, the Bees struggled under the more difficult competition at the state tournament, while Wasatch continued to separate themselves. Box Elder entered 20 kids in the tournament, half of whom placed. Six of those 10 placed fourth or better, and three of those six made it to the championship mat.
“The difference was, that same group of Wasatch kids who were in the divisional finals, made it to the finals at state as well,” said Box Elder coach Jed Craner. “Of our group of guys that made it to the divisional finals, only three made it to the finals at state. Now, this wasn’t the only thing that hurt us, but it definitely was what got them [Wasatach] the big lead after the semifinals. The semifinals hurt us badly. Also, their guys getting bonus points [pins] really helped them.”
Box Elder didn’t get much through the consolation rounds, either. Out of several Box Elder wrestlers with a shot to make the third-place match, only three went, and just one of those won, Brayden Tucker (132), who pinned Roy’s Donald Butler.
“If we could have placed more at third place, that would have closed the gap significantly,” Craner said.
But all the “what-ifs” and “chould-have-beens” aside, Craner said he couldn’t be more proud of his team’s season.
“I feel great about how the team wrestled,” Craner said. “There are always going to be those matches that could go either way, and some of those didn’t go our way and that’s okay. We learn and move on... I feel that each of our guys worked hard this season; they wrestled tough and I’m proud of them.”
Leading the Bees, freshman Bridger Ricks (106 pounds) won a gutsy performance to claim his first state title, while sophomore Lucas Cochran (182) won a cautious, deliberate match to to earn his first state championship. Senior heavyweight Ryan Gunn (285) came up just short against Provo’s James Tomasi, a wrestler Gunn beat 4-3 at divisional.
Ricks’ match was perhaps the most exciting of the Bees’ championship appearances, as Ricks needed an extra period to dispatch Maple Mountain’s Brock Morris, 7-5.
The wrestlers traded leads throughout, with Morris taking a 3-2 lead out of the first and Ricks leading 5-3 going into the third. Neither wrestler was willing to give up too much when not in control, which resulted in three stalling calls in the match. One of those, awarded to Morris in the third period, sent the match into overtime.
Morris was the aggressor in the overtime, which Ricks was able to use against him.
“He was putting lots of pressure on me, and, uh, pushing me really hard, so I just snapped him and shucked him by, and his pressure made it so I could get the takedown,” Ricks said.
Box Elder has only ever had two four-time state champions, Jeff Newby in the 1990s and Brock Hardy last year. Bridger’s brother, Garrett Ricks, earned three state titles, missing one as a freshman, making Bridger aware of how important the first one is.
“It’s awesome man, it’s a state title,” Bridger Ricks said. “Hopefully one of four.”
Cochran’s championship match against Maple Mountain’s Parker Gasser was a deliberate affair, with neither wrestler willing to overextend themselves early for points. With 14 seconds left in the first period, Cochran was able to gain the advantage with a takedown, but Gasser quickly scored with an escape as the round came to an end.
In the third round, Cochran chose bottom in hopes of scoring an escape and pushing his 2-1 lead to two points, which would force Gasser to get a takedown—a thing Cochran had been able to prevent—to tie the match. Cochran doubled down on the opportunity when, in the first 20 seconds of the period, he scored a reversal, and maintained control for all but the final few seconds of the round to win, 4-2.
In Gunn’s match, he was unable to maintain his energy level against a revenge-minded Tomasi.
“ I think Ryan simply got really tired really quickly, which happens quite often in bigger matches,” Craner said.
Gunn struck first with a second-round escape, but Tomasi dominated the third round with an escape and takedown in the third to go up, 3-1, to which Gunn would not have time to respond.
See team scores and Box Elder’s individual results on the bottom of this page.
The Box Elder High School wrestling team had two individual champions crowned on its way to taking home the second-place hardware from the State 5A Wrestling Tournament last week.
The Bees finished behind a dominant performance from Wasatch, a team the Bees beat by one point in the divisional tournament. The Wasps beat Box Elder by nearly 80 points at state, 287.5 - 209 to take home the title after finishing second behind Viewmont last year.
After the first day of competition, the Bees were well within striking distance, and behind Wasatch by just nine points. But as the day progressed Saturday, the Bees struggled under the more difficult competition at the state tournament, while Wasatch continued to separate themselves. Box Elder entered 20 kids in the tournament, half of whom placed. Six of those 10 placed fourth or better, and three of those six made it to the championship mat.
“The difference was, that same group of Wasatch kids who were in the divisional finals, made it to the finals at state as well,” said Box Elder coach Jed Craner. “Of our group of guys that made it to the divisional finals, only three made it to the finals at state. Now, this wasn’t the only thing that hurt us, but it definitely was what got them [Wasatach] the big lead after the semifinals. The semifinals hurt us badly. Also, their guys getting bonus points [pins] really helped them.”
Box Elder didn’t get much through the consolation rounds, either. Out of several Box Elder wrestlers with a shot to make the third-place match, only three went, and just one of those won, Brayden Tucker (132), who pinned Roy’s Donald Butler.
“If we could have placed more at third place, that would have closed the gap significantly,” Craner said.
But all the “what-ifs” and “chould-have-beens” aside, Craner said he couldn’t be more proud of his team’s season.
“I feel great about how the team wrestled,” Craner said. “There are always going to be those matches that could go either way, and some of those didn’t go our way and that’s okay. We learn and move on... I feel that each of our guys worked hard this season; they wrestled tough and I’m proud of them.”
Leading the Bees, freshman Bridger Ricks (106 pounds) won a gutsy performance to claim his first state title, while sophomore Lucas Cochran (182) won a cautious, deliberate match to to earn his first state championship. Senior heavyweight Ryan Gunn (285) came up just short against Provo’s James Tomasi, a wrestler Gunn beat 4-3 at divisional.
Ricks’ match was perhaps the most exciting of the Bees’ championship appearances, as Ricks needed an extra period to dispatch Maple Mountain’s Brock Morris, 7-5.
The wrestlers traded leads throughout, with Morris taking a 3-2 lead out of the first and Ricks leading 5-3 going into the third. Neither wrestler was willing to give up too much when not in control, which resulted in three stalling calls in the match. One of those, awarded to Morris in the third period, sent the match into overtime.
Morris was the aggressor in the overtime, which Ricks was able to use against him.
“He was putting lots of pressure on me, and, uh, pushing me really hard, so I just snapped him and shucked him by, and his pressure made it so I could get the takedown,” Ricks said.
Box Elder has only ever had two four-time state champions, Jeff Newby in the 1990s and Brock Hardy last year. Bridger’s brother, Garrett Ricks, earned three state titles, missing one as a freshman, making Bridger aware of how important the first one is.
“It’s awesome man, it’s a state title,” Bridger Ricks said. “Hopefully one of four.”
Cochran’s championship match against Maple Mountain’s Parker Gasser was a deliberate affair, with neither wrestler willing to overextend themselves early for points. With 14 seconds left in the first period, Cochran was able to gain the advantage with a takedown, but Gasser quickly scored with an escape as the round came to an end.
In the third round, Cochran chose bottom in hopes of scoring an escape and pushing his 2-1 lead to two points, which would force Gasser to get a takedown—a thing Cochran had been able to prevent—to tie the match. Cochran doubled down on the opportunity when, in the first 20 seconds of the period, he scored a reversal, and maintained control for all but the final few seconds of the round to win, 4-2.
In Gunn’s match, he was unable to maintain his energy level against a revenge-minded Tomasi.
“ I think Ryan simply got really tired really quickly, which happens quite often in bigger matches,” Craner said.
Gunn struck first with a second-round escape, but Tomasi dominated the third round with an escape and takedown in the third to go up, 3-1, to which Gunn would not have time to respond.
See team scores and Box Elder’s individual results on the bottom of this page.
Bees’ win streak ends ahead of state tournament
February 20, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School girls’ basketball team’s nine-game winning streak came to an end last Tuesday in its season finale as Viewmont finally exposed some chinks in the Bees’ armor and dealt them their first region loss of the season, 56-50.
The game started out like many have for the Bees this season, and they built a nine-point edge by halftime.
But things took an unexpected turn when the Vikings came out on fire in the third quarter, hitting shots from all over the court and erasing the deficit to take a two-point lead into the final period.
The Bees found some rhythm on the offensive end in the fourth period behind senior leaders Morgan Reeder, who finished with a game-high 20 points, and Emily Isaacson, who netted 14, but the Vikings had everything going their way and were able to hold on for the win.
Viewmont got 17 points and 10 rebounds from junior guard Emma Carr, and another 12 points from Karli Gunnell.
Another advantage the Vikings had was getting contributions from eight different players on the offensive end, while the Bees got just 16 points outside their top two scorers.
The Bees also uncharacteristically struggled from the free throw line, making just 14 of 23 attempts while the Vikings faired only a little better, knocking in 15 of 24 attempts.
The loss didn’t affect the region standings as the Bees had wrapped up the region championship last week and finished the regular season at 9-1, followed by Farmington at 7-3 and the Vikings at 6-4.
The fourth spot was decided by a play-in game between Bountiful and Woods Cross last Thursday with the Braves getting the win and the final place in the state tournament.
The state tournament kicked off yesterday at the Lifetime Activities Center at Salt Lake Community College in Taylorsville, with the Bees drawing the fourth seed from Region 6, Highland (results not available by press time).
A win would advance the Bees to the quarterfinals tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. against the winner of the Timpview/Wasatch game.
Two wins in the tournament would put the Bees into the semifinals on Friday evening starting at 5:50 p.m. and could see them play tournament-favorite East, who has been the top-ranked team in the 5A classification according to the Deseret News all year. The championship game will be held Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
February 20, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School girls’ basketball team’s nine-game winning streak came to an end last Tuesday in its season finale as Viewmont finally exposed some chinks in the Bees’ armor and dealt them their first region loss of the season, 56-50.
The game started out like many have for the Bees this season, and they built a nine-point edge by halftime.
But things took an unexpected turn when the Vikings came out on fire in the third quarter, hitting shots from all over the court and erasing the deficit to take a two-point lead into the final period.
The Bees found some rhythm on the offensive end in the fourth period behind senior leaders Morgan Reeder, who finished with a game-high 20 points, and Emily Isaacson, who netted 14, but the Vikings had everything going their way and were able to hold on for the win.
Viewmont got 17 points and 10 rebounds from junior guard Emma Carr, and another 12 points from Karli Gunnell.
Another advantage the Vikings had was getting contributions from eight different players on the offensive end, while the Bees got just 16 points outside their top two scorers.
The Bees also uncharacteristically struggled from the free throw line, making just 14 of 23 attempts while the Vikings faired only a little better, knocking in 15 of 24 attempts.
The loss didn’t affect the region standings as the Bees had wrapped up the region championship last week and finished the regular season at 9-1, followed by Farmington at 7-3 and the Vikings at 6-4.
The fourth spot was decided by a play-in game between Bountiful and Woods Cross last Thursday with the Braves getting the win and the final place in the state tournament.
The state tournament kicked off yesterday at the Lifetime Activities Center at Salt Lake Community College in Taylorsville, with the Bees drawing the fourth seed from Region 6, Highland (results not available by press time).
A win would advance the Bees to the quarterfinals tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. against the winner of the Timpview/Wasatch game.
Two wins in the tournament would put the Bees into the semifinals on Friday evening starting at 5:50 p.m. and could see them play tournament-favorite East, who has been the top-ranked team in the 5A classification according to the Deseret News all year. The championship game will be held Saturday at 6:30 p.m.
Bees blast Royals to claim trophy outright
Courtesy Julie Jones
Seniors Talie Durbin, Allison Kloos, Emily Isaacson and Morgan Reeder were all smiles after their 52-26 rout of Roy last Friday earned the Bees the Region 5 championship trophy.
Girls ended regular season last night, prepare for state tournament Tuesday
February 13, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
Another week, another two wins for the Box Elder High School girls’ basketball team. But this week brought something extra as the team secured their second region championship in the last four years and wrapped up a first-place seeding heading into next week’s state tournament.
On Tuesday night, the Bees’ offense struggled a bit more than usual on the road against Woods Cross and had to rely on their defense to come away with the win.
With some tough defensive pressure and strong rebounding, the Bees held the Wildcats to single-digits in every period en route to a 42-27 win.
Senior forward Emily Isaacson recorded another double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds while Morgan Reeder added 12 points in the win.
Mele Tautaina cracked double-digits with 10 points for the Wildcats in the loss.
The Bees also built their lead from the free-throw stripe, connecting on 14 of 16 tries while the Wildcats hit just 5 of 10 from the line.
The win over the Wildcats guaranteed the Bees at least a share of the region championship, but the team was not looking to share, and came out Friday firing on all cylinders against the hapless Royals, who were still searching for their first win on the year.
After opening up a 16-5 lead in the first quarter, the Bees went on to win every quarter on their way to a 52-26 win.
The senior leaders again led the way for the Bees on senior night as Isaacson netted 18 points while Reeder added 10. Sophomore forward Annika Quayle also chipped in 11 points in the win.
Isaacson described a mixed bag of emotions coming into her final home game when she said, “It was kind of bittersweet because I knew we were going to win region but it’s bitter because it’s our last home game on this court. I was really excited to have this opportunity and it’s been a really fun four years.”
Fellow senior Talie Durbin said she has learned a lot by playing high school basketball and is looking to apply those lessons to her whole life. Durbin said, “It’s helped me grow as a person. It’s helped me become more outgoing and just to be a better person in life.”
Allison Kloos, a senior guard who suffered a season-ending knee injuring back in December, took a different perspective and set of emotions into the final home game knowing she could only watch and cheer on her teammates.
Fighting back tears after the game, Kloos said, “It’s been really hard to just watch, but at the end of the day, I still love my teammates. Even though it’s really hard not being on the court, being able to cheer them on makes it better for me.”
The Bees had one final region game last night on the road against Viewmont (results not available by press time).
On Tuesday, Feb. 19, the Bees will start their bid for a state championship against the fourth seed from Region 6, which is currently Skyline, although Highland still has a chance to make up a game on them this week.
Whoever their opponent, the game is scheduled to start at 12:50 p.m. in the Lifetime Activities Center on the campus of Salt Lake Community College in Taylorsville.
Seniors Talie Durbin, Allison Kloos, Emily Isaacson and Morgan Reeder were all smiles after their 52-26 rout of Roy last Friday earned the Bees the Region 5 championship trophy.
Girls ended regular season last night, prepare for state tournament Tuesday
February 13, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
Another week, another two wins for the Box Elder High School girls’ basketball team. But this week brought something extra as the team secured their second region championship in the last four years and wrapped up a first-place seeding heading into next week’s state tournament.
On Tuesday night, the Bees’ offense struggled a bit more than usual on the road against Woods Cross and had to rely on their defense to come away with the win.
With some tough defensive pressure and strong rebounding, the Bees held the Wildcats to single-digits in every period en route to a 42-27 win.
Senior forward Emily Isaacson recorded another double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds while Morgan Reeder added 12 points in the win.
Mele Tautaina cracked double-digits with 10 points for the Wildcats in the loss.
The Bees also built their lead from the free-throw stripe, connecting on 14 of 16 tries while the Wildcats hit just 5 of 10 from the line.
The win over the Wildcats guaranteed the Bees at least a share of the region championship, but the team was not looking to share, and came out Friday firing on all cylinders against the hapless Royals, who were still searching for their first win on the year.
After opening up a 16-5 lead in the first quarter, the Bees went on to win every quarter on their way to a 52-26 win.
The senior leaders again led the way for the Bees on senior night as Isaacson netted 18 points while Reeder added 10. Sophomore forward Annika Quayle also chipped in 11 points in the win.
Isaacson described a mixed bag of emotions coming into her final home game when she said, “It was kind of bittersweet because I knew we were going to win region but it’s bitter because it’s our last home game on this court. I was really excited to have this opportunity and it’s been a really fun four years.”
Fellow senior Talie Durbin said she has learned a lot by playing high school basketball and is looking to apply those lessons to her whole life. Durbin said, “It’s helped me grow as a person. It’s helped me become more outgoing and just to be a better person in life.”
Allison Kloos, a senior guard who suffered a season-ending knee injuring back in December, took a different perspective and set of emotions into the final home game knowing she could only watch and cheer on her teammates.
Fighting back tears after the game, Kloos said, “It’s been really hard to just watch, but at the end of the day, I still love my teammates. Even though it’s really hard not being on the court, being able to cheer them on makes it better for me.”
The Bees had one final region game last night on the road against Viewmont (results not available by press time).
On Tuesday, Feb. 19, the Bees will start their bid for a state championship against the fourth seed from Region 6, which is currently Skyline, although Highland still has a chance to make up a game on them this week.
Whoever their opponent, the game is scheduled to start at 12:50 p.m. in the Lifetime Activities Center on the campus of Salt Lake Community College in Taylorsville.
‘Watch out for the Bees’
Courtesy Boyd Lancaster
Caleb Marx gets some nearfall points in his quarterfinal match against one of top-seeded wrestlers in the 138-pound bracket at the 5A Divisional A tournament last week. Marx won the bout, 12-11, and was one of three major upsets by the Bees that contributed to a one-point win over Wasatch.
Grit, depth are key in Box Elder’s upset of state tournament favorites Wasatch
February 6, 2019 • Sean Hales • Managing Editor
Grit. Brotherhood. Depth.
Those are the three keys to the Bees’ narrow upset victory over Wasatch at the 5A Divisional A tournament last weekend at West High School.
As expected, the Wasps—last year’s state tournament runners-up—were the most dominant team in the final bouts, boasting eight wrestlers in seven weights, but it was the Bees who held the lead heading into Saturday night’s championship round.
Box Elder coach Jed Craner noted that as the season has progressed, there has been significant changes in the team; certainly, no one would have picked the Bees to win the divisional title the first few weeks of the season.
“Our kids have worked so hard this year there was no doubt in my mind that we could do it,” Craner said. “Absolutely...it [winning the divisional tournament] was in the realm of possibility.”
While it might be easy to point to Ryan Gunn’s close win by decision, 4-3, in the 285-pound championship match against Provo’s James Tomasi as key to securing the Bees’ win—without it, the Bees would have lost—that would overlook the fact that Box Elder scored some important upsets, and qualified 20 wrestlers for state. Wasatch qualified 18.
“I really want to praise the JV team,” said Box Elder head coach Jed Craner about the Bees’ one-point win, 389.5-388.5, over Wasatch. “Those guys really stepped up; they really made a difference. If you have a good JV team, you’re in business. You can have as many champions as they [Wasatch] did and still not win. It shows you how important your depth is.”
Three of Box Elder’s upsets came in the quarterfinal round, where first-year wrestler Caleb Marx (138) and Carson Lancaster (182) each defeated top-three seeds in their weights, and Brandyn Gaytan (160) exhibited extraordinary grit to win 7-6 in an ultimate tie-breaker against Wasatch’s Brock Lloyd. Marx and Lancaster finished fourth and sixth, respectively, to qualify for state, and Gaytan finished second, losing in the championship finals to the Bees’ Trevor Murray.
“He [Caleb Marx] came out swinging,” Craner said about the first-year wrestler. “He’s got a motor on him and he just keeps wrestling. He just keeps getting better.”
Craner noted that of several matches that went to overtime, the Bees only lost one of them.
“That’s mental toughness, right there,” said Craner, who noted that along the way, “We knocked out several of Wasatch’s kids who might have qualified for the state tournament.”
As much as—or more than—anything, Craner said it was the sense of brotherhood that has developed between team members that manifests as gritty performances on the mat.
“I honestly believe it was coming together as a team; it was true grit,” that resulted in the Bees’ victory. “They work hard in matches for each other.”
One notable Box Elder champion is 220-pound sophomore Kellen Collier, who has been wrestling 285-pounds all season. He was finally able to cut weight to get to 220, where he can be more competitive.
“That’s why he’s just emerging,” Craner said. “That kid, he’s just an athlete; another kid who gets it done.”
Besides Gunn, Murray, and Collier, the Bees’ divisional champions were the usual suspects: Bridger Ricks (106 pounds) and Lucas Cochran (182 pounds). See box for complete team scores and results for Box Elder’s state qualifiers.
In the Divisional B tournament, Viewmont, which Box Elder beat handily in recent region dual, dominated the field by nearly 100 points, 382-284.5 over Maple Mountain. The Vikings qualified 17 for the state tournament, setting the stage for what could be an interesting and highly competitive state tournament next week.
And with the most wrestlers qualified for state, the Bees are in the thick of it.
“It’s a huge advantage if everyone contributes,” Craner said. “If one or two guys go two-and-out, there goes our advantage.”
Regardless, Craner said anyone who underestimates Box Elder does so at their own peril.
“Watch out for the Bees, man. That’s all I’m saying,” Craner said.
The state tournament will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 13-14, at Utah Valley University’s Utah Community Credit Union Center. For more information, brackets, or to purchase tickets, visit www.uhsaa.org>sports and activities>winter sports>wrestling.
Caleb Marx gets some nearfall points in his quarterfinal match against one of top-seeded wrestlers in the 138-pound bracket at the 5A Divisional A tournament last week. Marx won the bout, 12-11, and was one of three major upsets by the Bees that contributed to a one-point win over Wasatch.
Grit, depth are key in Box Elder’s upset of state tournament favorites Wasatch
February 6, 2019 • Sean Hales • Managing Editor
Grit. Brotherhood. Depth.
Those are the three keys to the Bees’ narrow upset victory over Wasatch at the 5A Divisional A tournament last weekend at West High School.
As expected, the Wasps—last year’s state tournament runners-up—were the most dominant team in the final bouts, boasting eight wrestlers in seven weights, but it was the Bees who held the lead heading into Saturday night’s championship round.
Box Elder coach Jed Craner noted that as the season has progressed, there has been significant changes in the team; certainly, no one would have picked the Bees to win the divisional title the first few weeks of the season.
“Our kids have worked so hard this year there was no doubt in my mind that we could do it,” Craner said. “Absolutely...it [winning the divisional tournament] was in the realm of possibility.”
While it might be easy to point to Ryan Gunn’s close win by decision, 4-3, in the 285-pound championship match against Provo’s James Tomasi as key to securing the Bees’ win—without it, the Bees would have lost—that would overlook the fact that Box Elder scored some important upsets, and qualified 20 wrestlers for state. Wasatch qualified 18.
“I really want to praise the JV team,” said Box Elder head coach Jed Craner about the Bees’ one-point win, 389.5-388.5, over Wasatch. “Those guys really stepped up; they really made a difference. If you have a good JV team, you’re in business. You can have as many champions as they [Wasatch] did and still not win. It shows you how important your depth is.”
Three of Box Elder’s upsets came in the quarterfinal round, where first-year wrestler Caleb Marx (138) and Carson Lancaster (182) each defeated top-three seeds in their weights, and Brandyn Gaytan (160) exhibited extraordinary grit to win 7-6 in an ultimate tie-breaker against Wasatch’s Brock Lloyd. Marx and Lancaster finished fourth and sixth, respectively, to qualify for state, and Gaytan finished second, losing in the championship finals to the Bees’ Trevor Murray.
“He [Caleb Marx] came out swinging,” Craner said about the first-year wrestler. “He’s got a motor on him and he just keeps wrestling. He just keeps getting better.”
Craner noted that of several matches that went to overtime, the Bees only lost one of them.
“That’s mental toughness, right there,” said Craner, who noted that along the way, “We knocked out several of Wasatch’s kids who might have qualified for the state tournament.”
As much as—or more than—anything, Craner said it was the sense of brotherhood that has developed between team members that manifests as gritty performances on the mat.
“I honestly believe it was coming together as a team; it was true grit,” that resulted in the Bees’ victory. “They work hard in matches for each other.”
One notable Box Elder champion is 220-pound sophomore Kellen Collier, who has been wrestling 285-pounds all season. He was finally able to cut weight to get to 220, where he can be more competitive.
“That’s why he’s just emerging,” Craner said. “That kid, he’s just an athlete; another kid who gets it done.”
Besides Gunn, Murray, and Collier, the Bees’ divisional champions were the usual suspects: Bridger Ricks (106 pounds) and Lucas Cochran (182 pounds). See box for complete team scores and results for Box Elder’s state qualifiers.
In the Divisional B tournament, Viewmont, which Box Elder beat handily in recent region dual, dominated the field by nearly 100 points, 382-284.5 over Maple Mountain. The Vikings qualified 17 for the state tournament, setting the stage for what could be an interesting and highly competitive state tournament next week.
And with the most wrestlers qualified for state, the Bees are in the thick of it.
“It’s a huge advantage if everyone contributes,” Craner said. “If one or two guys go two-and-out, there goes our advantage.”
Regardless, Craner said anyone who underestimates Box Elder does so at their own peril.
“Watch out for the Bees, man. That’s all I’m saying,” Craner said.
The state tournament will be held Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 13-14, at Utah Valley University’s Utah Community Credit Union Center. For more information, brackets, or to purchase tickets, visit www.uhsaa.org>sports and activities>winter sports>wrestling.
Morgan Reeder goes up for a contested shot in a game against Viewmont last week. Reeder led the Bees with a game-high 28 points.
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Girls eyeing at least share of region title after wins over Vikings, BravesFebruary 6, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
It was another week and another two convincing wins for the Box Elder High School girls’ basketball team as they ran past Viewmont 72-51 last Tuesday at home before completing the season sweep over Bountiful on Friday, 76-47. The Bees started a little sluggish against the Vikings and the first quarter ended with them tied at 16. After the game, Bees’ head coach Aaron Dooley said, “We had a bad first quarter defensively tonight, but we really turned things around in the second, had a great quarter defensively, and really put the game away then.” The Bees turned numerous turnovers and missed shots from the Vikings into a 28-5 run that essentially sealed the deal for the home team. Morgan Reeder led the way for the Bees with 28 points while Emily Isaacson recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 21 points and 14 rebounds. Karli Gunnell connected on three shots from downtown and finished with 16 points to lead the Vikings in the loss. The team will conclude their regular season on the road against the Vikings on Tuesday, Feb. 11, ahead of the state tournament, which will start the following Tuesday, Feb. 19, at Salt Lake Community College in Taylorsville. |
Wrestlers beat Viewmont to reclaim Region 5 championship crown
The Box Elder High School wrestling team are mostly smiles after earning a convincing victory over Viewmont to earn the Region 5 championship trophy. The Vikings won last year’s title with a win over Box Elder before going on be state champs
Wrestlers grind out tough Rockwell Rumble, ready to compete for region title
January 30, 2019 • Sean Hales • Managing Editor
The Box Elder High School wrestling team had a relatively easy run in a dual meet last Thursday against Viewmont, which concluded the Bees’ region schedule with an undefeated record as they reclaimed the region title from the Vikings.
It was a bit of a roller coaster in the early going as the Bees opened the meet with three straight wins: a major decision for Brandyn Gaytan (160 pounds), a decision for Trevor Murray (170), and a win by fall for Lucas Cochran (182), which gave Box Elder a 13-0 lead.
But Viewmont responded with two wins by fall to narrow Box Elder’s lead to one, 13-12.
From that point, however, Box Elder ran away with the meet, beginning with first-round wins by fall from Ryan Gunn (285) and Bridger Ricks (106). Isaac Richards (120) added a major decision, and Brayden Tucker (132) earned a win by fall as Box Elder outpaced Viewmont, 28-3 through the next six weights.
Prior to the meet, head coach Jed Craner said that if his team wrestled to their potential, they had a good shot at winning against Viewmont, but that it couldn’t hurt to get “a little magic” from a few kids.
After the Bees’ win, Craner said, “I don’t believe there was much magic...as much as there was smart wrestling.”
Seth Bott (138), Harrison Hodgson (145), and Matt Bowden (152) all came up short in their bouts against some of Viewmont’s toughest and most highly-ranked wrestlers, but Craner noted how well the Bees did limiting the number of points they gave up in those weights. Bott lost a 3-0 decision, and despite being dominated for three rounds, Bowden was able to keep last year’s state runner-up, Jeremy Evans, from getting a pin.
“After seeing the end result—with our guys wrestling how they know how—we really didn’t need the magic after all,” Craner said. “Those that got us pins...really made the difference for us as we got to Viewmont’s middleweights—their strength.”
In comments following the meet, Craner appeared to have moved on from celebrating the fact that the Bees won a region title in his first year as Box Elder’s head coach.
“I feel great about the direction the team is going and am so happy to be part of such an amazing group of young men,” Craner said. “I am very pleased with how they have completed thus far, but we have got to continue with our focus and hard work through divisionals and state.”
The Bees have one more regular-season dual meet, tonight, Wednesday, Jan. 30, at Ridgeline High School in Cache Valley.
This weekend, the Bees begin their state-tournament run at the 5A Divisional meet Friday and Saturday at West High School in Salt Lake City. The top eight wrestlers in each weight from two divisional tournaments will qualify for the state tournament.
Based on the seeding criteria of the Utah High School Activities Association, which ranks teams on a point system determined by a school’s returning state-tournament qualifiers, the Bees face a difficult task if they hope to be divisional champions, but they could qualify a good number of wrestlers for the state tournament.
Box Elder finished fourth in the overall rankings of 24 5A schools, with 154.5 points, making them the second-ranked team in the Division A tournament behind last year’s state tournament runners-up, Wasatch, which was ranked first overall with 260.5 points.
“It will be a challenge to be in the same divisional tournament as Wasatch, but I see it as an advantage as we will get to familiarize ourselves with them,” Craner said. “This could help us make a run at the title during the state tournament.”
Craner said he is hoping to qualify more than 20 wrestlers for the state tournament, something that isn’t inconceivable given the lopsided balance of power between the top three teams and the rest of the field at the divisional.
“If we can do that, and they all...earn some points, we can do it,” Craner said.
Swimmers take region
The Box Elder High School boys’ and girls’ swim teams scored dominant wins at the Region 5 tournament last week. The boys, in particular, completely outclassed their competition, and beat second-place Viewmont, by 178 points, 519-341. This is the boys’ second consecutive region title. The girls won their championship by nearly 100 points over Bountiful, 483-390.5. The girls were able to attain the goal they fell just short of last year when they took second place at the region meet
A Bountiful defender deftly swipes a pass away from the Bees’ Parker Buchanan. The Braves’ quick hands forced many turnovers.
Bees get lesson about max effort in games against Bountiful, Roy
January 23, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
Box Elder boys’ basketball head coach Jace McKee has been preaching and emphasizing consistency to his team all year, and last week illustrated why as one bad quarter doomed the team against Bountiful on Wednesday, before four quarters of maximum effort earned the team their first region win over Roy on Friday.
Things started well enough for the Bees Wednesday at home against the Braves, but they took a sharp turn for the worse in the second quarter when turnovers and poor shot selection left the Bees scrambling while Bountiful grew their lead to 20 points by halftime.
The Braves continued to pour on the pressure in the third quarter behind sharpshooter Camron Chism, who led all scorers with 24 points, including five shots from deep. Senior guard Brig Willard and sophomore big man Robert Whaley each added 13 points in the win.
The Bees countered with their post man, sophomore Parker Buchanan, who scored 22 points and recorded a game-high nine rebounds, but there wasn’t enough offensive firepower or defensive stops to mount a serious comeback—no other Box Elder player cracked double digits—and the Braves cruised to a 79-55 win.
Despite the frustrations, the Bees were determined to make the most of their next opportunity Friday on the road against the Royals, who were coming off an emotional win over Viewmont on Wednesday.
The Bees got a spark against the Royals with the return of junior guard Riley Dahlgren, who missed the game against the Braves as he battled bursitis in his knee.
Dahlgren brought some much-needed stability in the backcourt and a deep scoring threat as he dropped in 13 points, including three 3-point baskets.
After both teams struggled through a defensive battle in the first period, the Bees caught their stride in the second quarter and used a 19-8 run to build a lead that they wouldn’t give up en route to a 60-49 win.
Buchanan again led the way with 16 points and senior forward Skyler Laurenti hit double-digit scoring for the first time this season with 10 points.
Porter Thackeray paced the Royals with 13 points and Kobe Schriver added 11 in the loss.
The win over the Royals was important for the Bees to keep pace in the region standings. The Braves sit at the top of the table at 3-0, followed by Woods Cross at 2-1. There is a four-way log jam for third through sixth as all four teams sit at 1-2 in the standings.
The Bees will get a chance to rest a little this week with only one game on the schedule, on Friday at home against the Wildcats. That game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. following the girls’ game.
January 23, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
Box Elder boys’ basketball head coach Jace McKee has been preaching and emphasizing consistency to his team all year, and last week illustrated why as one bad quarter doomed the team against Bountiful on Wednesday, before four quarters of maximum effort earned the team their first region win over Roy on Friday.
Things started well enough for the Bees Wednesday at home against the Braves, but they took a sharp turn for the worse in the second quarter when turnovers and poor shot selection left the Bees scrambling while Bountiful grew their lead to 20 points by halftime.
The Braves continued to pour on the pressure in the third quarter behind sharpshooter Camron Chism, who led all scorers with 24 points, including five shots from deep. Senior guard Brig Willard and sophomore big man Robert Whaley each added 13 points in the win.
The Bees countered with their post man, sophomore Parker Buchanan, who scored 22 points and recorded a game-high nine rebounds, but there wasn’t enough offensive firepower or defensive stops to mount a serious comeback—no other Box Elder player cracked double digits—and the Braves cruised to a 79-55 win.
Despite the frustrations, the Bees were determined to make the most of their next opportunity Friday on the road against the Royals, who were coming off an emotional win over Viewmont on Wednesday.
The Bees got a spark against the Royals with the return of junior guard Riley Dahlgren, who missed the game against the Braves as he battled bursitis in his knee.
Dahlgren brought some much-needed stability in the backcourt and a deep scoring threat as he dropped in 13 points, including three 3-point baskets.
After both teams struggled through a defensive battle in the first period, the Bees caught their stride in the second quarter and used a 19-8 run to build a lead that they wouldn’t give up en route to a 60-49 win.
Buchanan again led the way with 16 points and senior forward Skyler Laurenti hit double-digit scoring for the first time this season with 10 points.
Porter Thackeray paced the Royals with 13 points and Kobe Schriver added 11 in the loss.
The win over the Royals was important for the Bees to keep pace in the region standings. The Braves sit at the top of the table at 3-0, followed by Woods Cross at 2-1. There is a four-way log jam for third through sixth as all four teams sit at 1-2 in the standings.
The Bees will get a chance to rest a little this week with only one game on the schedule, on Friday at home against the Wildcats. That game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. following the girls’ game.
Morgan Reeder puts up an awkward shot over a Bountiful defender that went in for two points in the Bees’ 64-46 win over the Braves last week.
Bees blast Bountiful and Roy to stand alone atop Region 5
January 23, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School girls’ basketball team kept their stranglehold on the Region 5 standings last week with convincing wins over Bountiful last Tuesday followed by a road victory over Roy on Friday.
The Bees came out hot from the field against the Braves, then used an 18-5 second quarter run to open up a 20-point lead by halftime as they cruised to a 64-46 win.
Both teams finished shooting 37 percent from the field, but the big difference for the Bees was their shooting behind the 3-point line and the quality and quantity of their free-throw shooting. Box Elder hit 8 of 16 shots behind the arc, while the Braves hit just 5 of 12. From the line, the Bees had a seven-point advantage, going 14 for 19 while the Braves connected on 7 out of 11.
The dynamic duo of Emily Isaacson and Morgan Reeder again led the way for the Bees with Isaacson netting 22 points and grabbing seven rebounds while Reeder added 21 points, four rebounds and three steals.
The Braves were paced by Tashena Ashby with 17 points and a game-high eight rebounds, and Baily Jenkins, who chipped in 10 points and six boards.
On Friday night, the Bees ratcheted up the defensive intensity against the Royals and, while their own shooting wasn’t quite as solid as it had been Tuesday, they more than made up for that on the defensive end as they kept the Royals from scoring in double figures in any quarter, and no player on the roster recorded more than six points as Box Elder ran away with a 55-23 win.
Isaacson was again the high-point scorer in the game with 17, and junior sharpshooter Jenna Mortensen added 11 in the win.
The wins move the Bees to 3-0 in region play and have them in sole possession of first place ahead of Farmington, Viewmont, and Woods Cross, who all sit at 2-1, while the Braves and Royals both fell to 0-3 in the early going.
The Bees had a tough road test last night as they traveled to Farmington to take on the second-place Phoenix (results not available by press time).
On Friday night, the Bees will be back at home and get their first look at Woods Cross. The Wildcats got blown out by the Phoenix last Tuesday, before bouncing back in a hard-fought win over Viewmont to keep pace in the region.
The Wildcats don’t have any players averaging double-digit scoring so far and rely heavily on their defense to grind out close games. They are allowing just more than 38 points per game through three region contests.
The game against the Wildcats is scheduled to start at 5:15 p.m., followed by the boys game at 7 p.m.
January 23, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School girls’ basketball team kept their stranglehold on the Region 5 standings last week with convincing wins over Bountiful last Tuesday followed by a road victory over Roy on Friday.
The Bees came out hot from the field against the Braves, then used an 18-5 second quarter run to open up a 20-point lead by halftime as they cruised to a 64-46 win.
Both teams finished shooting 37 percent from the field, but the big difference for the Bees was their shooting behind the 3-point line and the quality and quantity of their free-throw shooting. Box Elder hit 8 of 16 shots behind the arc, while the Braves hit just 5 of 12. From the line, the Bees had a seven-point advantage, going 14 for 19 while the Braves connected on 7 out of 11.
The dynamic duo of Emily Isaacson and Morgan Reeder again led the way for the Bees with Isaacson netting 22 points and grabbing seven rebounds while Reeder added 21 points, four rebounds and three steals.
The Braves were paced by Tashena Ashby with 17 points and a game-high eight rebounds, and Baily Jenkins, who chipped in 10 points and six boards.
On Friday night, the Bees ratcheted up the defensive intensity against the Royals and, while their own shooting wasn’t quite as solid as it had been Tuesday, they more than made up for that on the defensive end as they kept the Royals from scoring in double figures in any quarter, and no player on the roster recorded more than six points as Box Elder ran away with a 55-23 win.
Isaacson was again the high-point scorer in the game with 17, and junior sharpshooter Jenna Mortensen added 11 in the win.
The wins move the Bees to 3-0 in region play and have them in sole possession of first place ahead of Farmington, Viewmont, and Woods Cross, who all sit at 2-1, while the Braves and Royals both fell to 0-3 in the early going.
The Bees had a tough road test last night as they traveled to Farmington to take on the second-place Phoenix (results not available by press time).
On Friday night, the Bees will be back at home and get their first look at Woods Cross. The Wildcats got blown out by the Phoenix last Tuesday, before bouncing back in a hard-fought win over Viewmont to keep pace in the region.
The Wildcats don’t have any players averaging double-digit scoring so far and rely heavily on their defense to grind out close games. They are allowing just more than 38 points per game through three region contests.
The game against the Wildcats is scheduled to start at 5:15 p.m., followed by the boys game at 7 p.m.
Jenna Mortensen puts up a contested shot in the Bees loss to Copper Hills last Tuesday. Mortensen made the most of her opportunities in the Bees’ next game when Farmington focused on teamates Emily Isaacson and Morgan Reeder, and left Mortensen to score 14 points.
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Girls fall to Copper Hills, blast Farmington
January 16, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer The Box Elder High School girls’ basketball team wrapped up a brutal preseason schedule last Tuesday as the Bees faced their third state-ranked opponent in Copper Hills last Tuesday, before beginning their region schedule at home on Friday against first-year school Farmington. In the preseason, the Bees had already played against Fremont, ranked first in the state, and Corner Canyon, ranked fourth, and came up just short in each. The Grizzlies came into the game against the Bees ranked second, and showed the reason why with crisp passes on offense that lead to easy baskets and a seven-point lead at halftime. That lead ballooned to nearly 20 points toward the end of the third quarter behind the hot-shooting tandem of Breaunna Gillen and Eleyana Tafisi, as each netted 22 points on the night. Lenisi Fineanganofo added 12 points in the win. Despite getting down in the second half, the Bees fought back in the fourth quarter behind their leaders as Morgan Reeder poured in 19 points and Emily Isaacson added 14 with a game-high nine rebounds as the Bees whittled the lead down to seven points with just under four minutes remaining in regulation. But the Bees couldn’t get any closer as the Grizzlies took care of the ball and made free throws down the stretch to seal the win 71-59. The Bees continued region play last night with another home game against Bountiful (results not available by press time). The Braves fell to Viewmont, 48-34, in their region opener last week and were looking to end a three-game losing skid. The Bees will be on the road Friday at Roy. The game against the Royals is scheduled to start at 5:15 p.m., followed by the boy’s game at 7 p.m. |
Bees dominate Farmington, BountifuL
Box Elder’s Jaden Nessen pinned his opponent from Farmington, as did eight of his Box Elder teammates as the Bees made short work of their Region 5 foes, 66-12, last Thursday. The Bees also competed in the Bobcat Brawl where they went undefeated in convincing fashion, beating Alta, 65-3; Bountiful 63-6; Highland, Idaho, 47-18; Logan, 76-0; Preston, Idaho, 80-0; and Sky View, 58-6. Due to the fact that Bountiful only has six varsity wrestlers, the Braves opted to forfeit and cancel their region match with Box Elder originally scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 17. The Bees’ only action this week will be on the road, in Wasatch County for the Rockwell Rumble on Friday and Saturday.
Members of the Box Elder High School wrestling team after their third-place finish at the Richardson Memorial. Last year, the Bees finished fifth at the tournament and sixth in 2017.
Bees climb back to take third at Richardson
January 9, 2019
Heading into the second day of the Richardson Memorial Wrestling tournament, the Box Elder High School squad was tied for fifth in a close contest.
On Saturday, only 11.5 points separated first-place Star Valley from the Bees and Bear River, who both had 88 points.
But the Bees executed on Saturday, leaving Bear River behind and finishing 9.5 points behind second-place Mountain Crest.
The Bees had eight wrestlers place in the tournament, seven of whom competed in the championship semifinals. Five of those won their semifinal bouts, earning spots in the championship Saturday night, three of whom went on to victory. The Bees had more first-place finishes than any other placing.
The championship finals began with an all-Bees affair as Wyatt Romriell and Bridger Ricks faced each other at 106 pounds. Ricks won the match by major decision, 13-1.
Lucas Cochran (170) and Ryan Gunn (285) both won their championship matches by fall.
Brayden Tucker (132) lost his championship bout against a wrestler from Altamont, the team that won the 2019 Richardson Memorial.
Other Box Elder placers were: Matt Bowden (152), fifth; Harrison Hodgson (152), sixth; and Trevor Murray (170), third.
This week, the Bees will host Farmington on Thursday in a region dual. Varsity matches are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Bees climb back to take third at Richardson
January 9, 2019
Heading into the second day of the Richardson Memorial Wrestling tournament, the Box Elder High School squad was tied for fifth in a close contest.
On Saturday, only 11.5 points separated first-place Star Valley from the Bees and Bear River, who both had 88 points.
But the Bees executed on Saturday, leaving Bear River behind and finishing 9.5 points behind second-place Mountain Crest.
The Bees had eight wrestlers place in the tournament, seven of whom competed in the championship semifinals. Five of those won their semifinal bouts, earning spots in the championship Saturday night, three of whom went on to victory. The Bees had more first-place finishes than any other placing.
The championship finals began with an all-Bees affair as Wyatt Romriell and Bridger Ricks faced each other at 106 pounds. Ricks won the match by major decision, 13-1.
Lucas Cochran (170) and Ryan Gunn (285) both won their championship matches by fall.
Brayden Tucker (132) lost his championship bout against a wrestler from Altamont, the team that won the 2019 Richardson Memorial.
Other Box Elder placers were: Matt Bowden (152), fifth; Harrison Hodgson (152), sixth; and Trevor Murray (170), third.
This week, the Bees will host Farmington on Thursday in a region dual. Varsity matches are scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
Girls have their way with young Mountain Crest team
Emily Isaacson drives the lane for two of her game-high 25 points. Isaacson also pulled down 18 rebounds in a solo exhibition.
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January 9, 2019 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School girls’ basketball team took care of business in convincing fashion in its only game last week when it hosted Mountain Crest and blew out the guests, 60-41. With fellow running-mate Morgan Reeder slowed by an illness, senior wing Emily Isaacson stole the show on both ends of the court for the Bees as she finished with 25 points and 18 rebounds to overwhelm the Mustangs from the start. Following the game, Bees’ head coach Aaron Dooley said he was happy with the result and saw a more complete game from his team, even when playing with a big lead. “We did what we were supposed to do against a young team tonight,” Dooley said. “There have been a few games this season where it seemed like we played down to our competition and that has bitten us a couple of times, so it was really good to see the girls stay focused and just take care of business.” The win moves the Bees to 7-4 in the preseason with just one more tune-up before beginning region play Friday against Farmington. The final preseason game was one the Bees had circled on the calendar as one of the toughest games of the year, against 6A powerhouse Copper Hills last night (results not available by press time). The road won’t get any easier for the Bees once region play begins as they host one of the preseason favorites Friday. According to Dooley, the Bees possess the keys for success, they just have to use them consistently. “We’ve proven to ourselves so far this year that we can beat anybody we want to beat if we put everything together,” Dooley said. “We’ve learned how to play Box Elder basketball no matter what the other team is doing, and if we can keep being ourselves night in and night out, we’ll be in good positions all season.” The game against the Phoenix is scheduled to start at 5:15 p.m. and will be followed by the boys’ game at 7 p.m. As the preseason winds down, the Bees are led by Isaacson, who is averaging a double-double per game with 17.5 points and 10 rebounds. Reeder is also averaging double figures at 14 points per game. |
Bees blasted by Hawks at Utah Autism Holiday Classic, bounce back over Warriors
The Box Elder High School boys’ basketball team came into the week needing a confidence boost and some kind of spark to turn their season around before starting region play, and they had two cracks at it following the Christmas break.
The Bees came out sluggish against Alta on Thursday night at the Utah Autism Holiday Classic hosted by Olympus High School, and that slow start doomed the team to an eventual 46-68 loss.
The team did find a way to start strong against Taylorsville on Friday night back at home and used that fast start to propel them to a 72-65 win to snap a three-game skid.
The game against the Hawks was reminiscent of the game against Bear River the week before when the Bees couldn’t buy a basket in the first quarter, and found themselves down 18-3 after the first frame.
Things evened up a bit in the second period, but the Bees were never able to mount a serious comeback as the Hawks cruised to the win behind a game-high 17 points from Indy Hanson and 15 points from Jaden Brownell.
The Bees were lead by sophomore big man Parker Buchanan with 15 points. Fellow post player Spencer Huff added 11.
After the game, Bees’ head coach Jace McKee said he thought the Christmas break negatively impacted the team.
“We didn’t have a lot of energy tonight and we weren’t ourselves out there,” McKee said. “We just weren’t sharp and it was a struggle all night.”
Against Weber, the Bees responded to the wake-up call and jumped out early, building a 21-5 lead after the first quarter. They used that momentum to take a 20-point lead into the halftime break.
The Warriors stormed back with some hot outside shooting in the third quarter and eventually got within a point, 66-65, with just over a minute remaining in the fourth. The Bees made the necessary plays down the stretch and shut the Warriors out the rest of the way to secure the win.
Buchanan again lead the way with 27 points and the Bees got a big lift with the return of junior guard Riley Dahlgren, who had been out with an ankle injury for the last two games. Dahlgren is one of the primary ball handlers and his experience and decision-making helped the Bees break the Warrior press to get some easy baskets, along with adding 13 points of his own.
Senior guard Ronnie Smith also hit double figures with 12 points in the win.
The Warriors were led by James Gavin, who pumped in a career-high 23 points, including four shots from behind the arc. Eric Giang added 16 points, all from three-point territory, and Cameron Millican chipped in 13.
Coach McKee cited the strong start and then mental toughness down the stretch as the keys to the win.
“Today, we got some of that Christmas break out of us and played really well early. We had a really good first half and had a lot better energy on defense,” McKee said. “[The Warriors] made some runs in the second half and hit a lot of threes, but I was happy with how we responded down the stretch with some tough finishes and barely enough free throws to get the win.”
The week moves the Bees to 2-6 in the preseason with just two tune-up games left before starting region play at home next Friday against Farmington.
The Bees will be in action just once this week as they travel to Cache Valley to take on Logan on Friday night.
The Grizzlies currently sit at 3-7 and are lead by senior big man Josh Jensen, who is averaging 13 points per outing.
The game against the Grizzlies is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
Bear River’s Taggert Bingham tries to keep his back off the mat in the final moments of the 120-pound bout against Box Elder’s Isaac Richardson. Bingham was up by two in the closely-contested match before Richardson was able to earn a win by fall in the final moments of the third period.
Bragging rights
After four weights had wrestled, beginning with a win by decision by Box Elder’s Trevor Murray, the Bees and Bears were were tied, 9-9.
But from that point, the dual meet between the two rivals was dominated by Box Elder as the Bees took back bragging rights, which Bear River had possessed the last two years, with a 37-22 win.
“To be honest, our kids treated it as any other dual; they just wanted to win and did exactly what they were supposed to, that is, maintain good position and staying off their backs,” said head coach Jed Craner, who was visibly excited following a few matches.
“I don’t usually get that pumped up during duels, but I really wanted to bring the rivalry home to B.E.,” said Craner. “The kids have worked very hard and they deserved that win.”
Following a pin by Bear River’s Colter Freeze that tied the score, the Bees went on a run that started with a win by fall from last year’s 5A state runner-up, Ryan Gunn (285 pounds), and ended with potentially the most exciting match of the night, as Isaac Richards (120 pounds) was able to pin the Bears’ Taggert Bingham in the waning moments of the final period.
Richards fell behind in the first period after a takedown by Bingham, but the rest of the bout would prove uneventful as neither of the two closely matched wrestlers were able to take advantage of starting on top, or escape when they started on bottom.
Richards began the third period on bottom, and was able to start turning the tables when he got to his feet with Bingham hanging too high on Richard’s back. Neither wrestler was awarded control of the situation, but Richards’ position was superior. With about 20 seconds left in the bout, Richards was able to put Bingham’s back to the mat, and give his team a 28-9 lead.
Craner said Richards’ match was “incredible” but not “surprising.”
“Isaac never stops wrestling, he battles every match, all match long, no matter what the score,” Craner said. “He could’ve been down 10-0 and still come out with a pin, simply because he never stops wrestling.”
Two weights later, the Bees all but secured the win when Quintan Knight pinned the Bears’ Zackery Folkman with less than a minute expired from the first period to increase Box Elder’s lead, 34-12.
Knight’s match was the standout bout, according to Craner.
“Quinton has wrestled JV all season—not to say he’s not varsity caliber. His performance stunned me as he went out, took his opponent down, and proceeded to cradle and pin him,” Craner said.
The Bees earned wins by fall from Lucas Cochran (182), Gunn, Richards, and Knight.
Freshman Bridger Ricks (106) faced a formidable challenge from Bear River’s Porter Tackett, and by the end of the second period, the outcome was still in question as Ricks held a narrow lead, 4-1. But Ricks poured it on the third period and scored five points with a takedown and nearfall (3) to notch a major decision for the Bees.
“I am very proud of our kids both JV and varsity. They wrestled well and maintained good position, only giving up one pin all night,” Craner said.
The Bees have one match this week, tomorrow, Thursday, Dec. 27, when they hit the road to take on Fremont.
Lacrosse to begin in Box Elder high schools next school year
Following meetings in which there were outpourings of public support, as well as support from board members, district officials and educators, the Box Elder School District Board of Education unanimously voted to sanction lacrosse.
The newly-sanctioned sport will begin at Bear River and Box Elder high schools in the fall of 2019 for both boys’ and girls’ varsity and JV teams. It is the 11th sport sanctioned by the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA).
District Assistant Superintendent Keith Mecham said while most of the equipment will be donated from lacrosse clubs that have been competing in Box Elder County for the past 15 years, students will still need to purchase a few items. These include sticks, gloves, arm and shoulder pads, shoes and goggles. The approximate start-up costs for boys is $355 and $280 for girls.
The schools will provide goals, balls, helmets (boys only, as girls don’t wear helmets) field paint, uniforms, practice gear and goalie equipment. The total start-up cost to the district is estimated at about $50,700, but clubs will donate about $17,500 in equipment.
The biggest cost, which would be ongoing, is the $24,680 in coaching stipends for one head coach and one assistant per school.
The uniforms are being donated, “So, initially we’re good there,” said Mecham. “But eventually we’ll need to buy new ones, which is determined by if the kids keep the uniforms or not.”
Busing may be an issue, as both boys’ and girls’ teams will compete in the spring, he said. Also, athletic directors at both schools will experience more stress as they ensure eligibility and game preparation is met.
Despite attendant challenges that may arise, sanctioning lacrosse was important, he said, because according to UHSAA by-laws, a sanctioned high school team cannot compete with club teams.
Not participating in the UHSAA could have resulted in Box Elder club teams not having enough competition to play much this upcoming year, as many high schools will now have sanctioned lacrosse teams.
The newly-sanctioned sport will begin at Bear River and Box Elder high schools in the fall of 2019 for both boys’ and girls’ varsity and JV teams. It is the 11th sport sanctioned by the Utah High School Activities Association (UHSAA).
District Assistant Superintendent Keith Mecham said while most of the equipment will be donated from lacrosse clubs that have been competing in Box Elder County for the past 15 years, students will still need to purchase a few items. These include sticks, gloves, arm and shoulder pads, shoes and goggles. The approximate start-up costs for boys is $355 and $280 for girls.
The schools will provide goals, balls, helmets (boys only, as girls don’t wear helmets) field paint, uniforms, practice gear and goalie equipment. The total start-up cost to the district is estimated at about $50,700, but clubs will donate about $17,500 in equipment.
The biggest cost, which would be ongoing, is the $24,680 in coaching stipends for one head coach and one assistant per school.
The uniforms are being donated, “So, initially we’re good there,” said Mecham. “But eventually we’ll need to buy new ones, which is determined by if the kids keep the uniforms or not.”
Busing may be an issue, as both boys’ and girls’ teams will compete in the spring, he said. Also, athletic directors at both schools will experience more stress as they ensure eligibility and game preparation is met.
Despite attendant challenges that may arise, sanctioning lacrosse was important, he said, because according to UHSAA by-laws, a sanctioned high school team cannot compete with club teams.
Not participating in the UHSAA could have resulted in Box Elder club teams not having enough competition to play much this upcoming year, as many high schools will now have sanctioned lacrosse teams.
Bees fall to Wolves, beat Riverhawks in dramatic fashion
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December 19, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
It was a roller coaster week for the Box Elder High School boys’ basketball team, which started low as the team fell to Green Canyon 89-72 Tuesday night, but then finished riding high with a 71-70 win over Ridgeline on Friday. Bees’ head coach Jace McKee said the team definitely has room to improve, but he sees them on the right path in the early going. “Friday night, we showed a lot more of what we can be than we did on Tuesday. Things started well on Tuesday [against the Wolves], but we couldn’t maintain it and we ended up in a big hole,” McKee said. “On Friday, we played much better on the defensive end, so that was really good to see. The win was the first for the Bees in the preseason and moves them to 1-3. The boys will be back in action at home tonight against Clearfield. The Falcons enter the game with a 4-4 preseason record and are lead by senior guard Connor Izatt, who is averaging just under 16 points per game. The game against the Falcons is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. This Friday, the Bees will be in action in the second game of a double-header in Tremonton when they take on Bear River. The girls team plays first at 5:15 p.m. and will be followed by the boys at 7 p.m. Looking ahead to the coming week, coach McKee said, “We’re really looking to get better defensively. That’s where we’ve struggled in our games so far and that will be our focus this week.” |
Bees stymie Logan’s top offensive threat in 57-49 win
Box Elder’s Jenna Mortensen (second from left) nearly breaks up a pass from Logan’s Amber Kartchner, who was the second-leading scorer in the state with just under 25 points per contest. Mortensen drew defensive duty on Kartchner, and held the Grizzlies’ top offensive threat to just 15 points.
December 12, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School girls’ basketball team passed a tough test last Friday night when it hosted Logan in its first home game of the year, coming away with a hard-fought 57-49 win.
Coming into the game, the Bees knew one of the keys to success would be to contain junior Grizzly guard Amber Kartchner, who entered the game as the second-leading scorer in the state, averaging just under 25 points per contest.
Following the game, Bees’ head coach Aaron Dooley said he was happy with the way his team defended such a prolific scorer.
“We figured coming in that we had two or three girls that would make [Kartchner] work hard for her shots,” Dooley said. “We put Jenna Mortensen on her to start and she did such a good job that we didn’t take her off her. My hat’s off to Jenna tonight, she did a really great job defensively.”
Mortensen, along with the rest of the Box Elder defense, hassled and harassed Kartchner all night, holding her to just 15 points, including just one successful 3-point attempt, both of which were the second-lowest stats of the season for her.
On the other side of the court, the Bees were led by Morgan Reeder, who took advantage of the zone defense the Grizzlies gave for much of the night and pumped in 20 points including three balls from downtown.
Emily Isaacson added 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds in the win.
Sophomore post player Taylor Rose cracked double figures with 10 points for the Grizzlies.
The Bees also won the battle at the free-throw line, connecting on 14 of 16 attempts from the charity stripe while the Grizzlies made just 6 of 9 attempts.
Even with the victory, coach Dooley saw areas for the team to improve this week in practice ahead of its next game, which was last night at Weber (results not available by press time).
“We certainly have some things we need to clean up,” Dooley said. “In the first half especially, we had some really bad turnovers that we really shouldn’t have had, and those were a little uncharacteristic of us. We also talked about guarding dribble penetration at halftime and I thought we made a good adjustment there after the break.”
The win moves the Bees to 4-1 on the year while the Grizzlies fall to 5-2 with their second straight defeat.
Friday, the Bees will be in action on the road when they head to Smithfield in Cache Valley to take on Sky View.
The Bobcats have a 2-4 record entering the game and are lead by post player Kristen Schumann, who is averaging 17 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
The game against the Bobcats is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
December 12, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School girls’ basketball team passed a tough test last Friday night when it hosted Logan in its first home game of the year, coming away with a hard-fought 57-49 win.
Coming into the game, the Bees knew one of the keys to success would be to contain junior Grizzly guard Amber Kartchner, who entered the game as the second-leading scorer in the state, averaging just under 25 points per contest.
Following the game, Bees’ head coach Aaron Dooley said he was happy with the way his team defended such a prolific scorer.
“We figured coming in that we had two or three girls that would make [Kartchner] work hard for her shots,” Dooley said. “We put Jenna Mortensen on her to start and she did such a good job that we didn’t take her off her. My hat’s off to Jenna tonight, she did a really great job defensively.”
Mortensen, along with the rest of the Box Elder defense, hassled and harassed Kartchner all night, holding her to just 15 points, including just one successful 3-point attempt, both of which were the second-lowest stats of the season for her.
On the other side of the court, the Bees were led by Morgan Reeder, who took advantage of the zone defense the Grizzlies gave for much of the night and pumped in 20 points including three balls from downtown.
Emily Isaacson added 14 points and a game-high 10 rebounds in the win.
Sophomore post player Taylor Rose cracked double figures with 10 points for the Grizzlies.
The Bees also won the battle at the free-throw line, connecting on 14 of 16 attempts from the charity stripe while the Grizzlies made just 6 of 9 attempts.
Even with the victory, coach Dooley saw areas for the team to improve this week in practice ahead of its next game, which was last night at Weber (results not available by press time).
“We certainly have some things we need to clean up,” Dooley said. “In the first half especially, we had some really bad turnovers that we really shouldn’t have had, and those were a little uncharacteristic of us. We also talked about guarding dribble penetration at halftime and I thought we made a good adjustment there after the break.”
The win moves the Bees to 4-1 on the year while the Grizzlies fall to 5-2 with their second straight defeat.
Friday, the Bees will be in action on the road when they head to Smithfield in Cache Valley to take on Sky View.
The Bobcats have a 2-4 record entering the game and are lead by post player Kristen Schumann, who is averaging 17 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.
The game against the Bobcats is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
Boys continue winning streak at Riverton
The Box Elder High School boys’ swim team pose with its championship plaque after winning the Riverton Silver Rush Invitation last weekend. Over the past few weeks, the boys have gone on a tear, winning the Park City Invitational as well as dual meets against Woods Cross and Ridgeline. The girls’ team has also fared well, winning dual meets against Woods Cross and Ridgeline, and coming in third at Riverton and fourth at Park City.
From ‘overweight bench warmer’ to elite athlete
Spencer Johnson (above) says endurance running can be lonely, and it’s nice to have the camaraderie and support of team members of the U.S. Military Endurance Sports Team. Johnson started running after he decided to join the Air Force and needed to get in shape.
Spencer Johnson is chosen for second stint on elite military endurance sports team
December 2, 2018 • Sean Hales • Managing Editor
Spencer Johnson always liked sports, but as a self-described “overweight kid with really low self-confidence,” he didn’t participate in extracurricular athletics programs as a student at Box Elder High School.
“I did manage to play one year of football as an offensive lineman, but I rode the bench,” Johnson, 36, said. “Being overweight was a big obstacle for me growing up and I wasn’t confident enough in myself to go and try out for other teams.”
But a simple desire to serve the country in the United States Air Force transformed Johnson from an overweight kid with low self-confidence into an elite athlete who was recently selected as a member of the U.S. Military Endurance Sports Team for the second year in a row.
The USMES is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote sports as part of a healthy lifestyle to active members and veterans of the U.S. armed forces. This year, 70 candidates applied for the team, and Johnson is one of the 16 cyclists, triathletes and runners to be selected. The team will compete in major events across the country in a season.
As much as anything, Johnson views his membership on USMES as proof that nothing is out of reach.
“I do have to say that running has really been a life-changing ambition for me. It helped transform me...into a much better version of myself. I am living proof that anyone can transform themselves if they just commit,” Johnson wrote via email from Kabul, Afghanistan, where he is currently stationed in support of the NATO mission “Resolute Support.” He is the chief of information and knowledge management, and his job includes ensuring critical information and historical data are preserved and shared with coalition partners in support of the train, advise, and assist mission in Afghanistan.
Following his graduation from Box Elder in 2000, Johnson, son of Eugene and Sharon Johnson of Brigham City, served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon his return, he decided to pursue a career in the Air Force but knew he needed to be in better shape, so he started running and lifting weights.
“By the time I went to basic training I was in pretty good shape, and much to my surprise I was outrunning everyone,” Johnson wrote. “The more I ran, the faster I got and the more I loved it.”
At the end of basic training, in the final 1.5-mile run before graduation, Johnson outran all of the nearly 200 trainees in his group and posted the fastest time in his graduating class.
“The adrenaline rush I got from that experience spurred me on,” Johnson wrote. Running was no longer a necessity required by his chosen career path, but a passion. He started participating in road races when he arrived at his first duty station at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia in 2003, and the passion grew into an addiction. Over the next 14 years, he ran hundreds of races.
In 2017, Johnson decided to apply to be a sponsored athlete for USMES and was accepted to represent the team for the 2018 season. That year he competed in three major races: he finished third overall in the Myrtle Beach Marathon with a time of 2 hours 47 minutes (2:47), was ninth overall in the Umstead 100-mile race with a time of 17:59, and in the top 3 percent in the Grandmas Marathon. His results—the two marathons were the fastest he’d ever run—were good enough to earn him a spot on this year’s USMES team.
“Age hasn’t caught up to me yet and being part of the USMES team motivated me to push harder,” Johnson wrote.
Being a sponsored athlete with USMES means receiving stipends to compete in some events, having gear and apparel provided, and sponsors provide free or discounted products.
“Endurance races are not overly expensive, but when you are doing several a year—and throughout the country—it is helpful to have some support,” Johnson said. Additionally, Johnson appreciates the community of athletes of which he is a part.
“Endurance racing can be a lonely sport so it is nice to see a familiar face wearing the same colors as you,” Johnson said. “Being on the sponsored team is very motivating for me and it has really pushed me to train harder than ever.”
Johnson is currently being trained by a former national-level Ultra runner, Howard Nippert, and hopes the experience will result in top finishes at the Boston Marathon Shadow Run in Kabul, the Chasing Jefferson Davis Marathon, the Air Force Marathon in Ohio, and the Javelina Jundred (100-kilometer race) in Arizona. His goal in the marathons is to shave at least seven minutes of his previous personal best of 2:47.
Johnson is a husband and the father to three children, who he said are his inspiration, and who have been swept up in his passion. His wife has taken up racing, and his son is on his school’s cross country team, which Johnson and his wife coach.
Johnson, a commissioned Air Force cyber officer, was recently selected for promotion to the rank of major, and plans on remaining in the Air Force for at least the next five years until retirement is an option.
At the end of the career that gave him his passion, Johnson plans to turn his passion into a second career, coaching running “in some sort of capacity.”
More information about the USMES is available online at www.usmes.org. Any current or former member of the armed forces can join the USMES.
Spencer Johnson is chosen for second stint on elite military endurance sports team
December 2, 2018 • Sean Hales • Managing Editor
Spencer Johnson always liked sports, but as a self-described “overweight kid with really low self-confidence,” he didn’t participate in extracurricular athletics programs as a student at Box Elder High School.
“I did manage to play one year of football as an offensive lineman, but I rode the bench,” Johnson, 36, said. “Being overweight was a big obstacle for me growing up and I wasn’t confident enough in myself to go and try out for other teams.”
But a simple desire to serve the country in the United States Air Force transformed Johnson from an overweight kid with low self-confidence into an elite athlete who was recently selected as a member of the U.S. Military Endurance Sports Team for the second year in a row.
The USMES is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote sports as part of a healthy lifestyle to active members and veterans of the U.S. armed forces. This year, 70 candidates applied for the team, and Johnson is one of the 16 cyclists, triathletes and runners to be selected. The team will compete in major events across the country in a season.
As much as anything, Johnson views his membership on USMES as proof that nothing is out of reach.
“I do have to say that running has really been a life-changing ambition for me. It helped transform me...into a much better version of myself. I am living proof that anyone can transform themselves if they just commit,” Johnson wrote via email from Kabul, Afghanistan, where he is currently stationed in support of the NATO mission “Resolute Support.” He is the chief of information and knowledge management, and his job includes ensuring critical information and historical data are preserved and shared with coalition partners in support of the train, advise, and assist mission in Afghanistan.
Following his graduation from Box Elder in 2000, Johnson, son of Eugene and Sharon Johnson of Brigham City, served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon his return, he decided to pursue a career in the Air Force but knew he needed to be in better shape, so he started running and lifting weights.
“By the time I went to basic training I was in pretty good shape, and much to my surprise I was outrunning everyone,” Johnson wrote. “The more I ran, the faster I got and the more I loved it.”
At the end of basic training, in the final 1.5-mile run before graduation, Johnson outran all of the nearly 200 trainees in his group and posted the fastest time in his graduating class.
“The adrenaline rush I got from that experience spurred me on,” Johnson wrote. Running was no longer a necessity required by his chosen career path, but a passion. He started participating in road races when he arrived at his first duty station at Robins Air Force Base in Georgia in 2003, and the passion grew into an addiction. Over the next 14 years, he ran hundreds of races.
In 2017, Johnson decided to apply to be a sponsored athlete for USMES and was accepted to represent the team for the 2018 season. That year he competed in three major races: he finished third overall in the Myrtle Beach Marathon with a time of 2 hours 47 minutes (2:47), was ninth overall in the Umstead 100-mile race with a time of 17:59, and in the top 3 percent in the Grandmas Marathon. His results—the two marathons were the fastest he’d ever run—were good enough to earn him a spot on this year’s USMES team.
“Age hasn’t caught up to me yet and being part of the USMES team motivated me to push harder,” Johnson wrote.
Being a sponsored athlete with USMES means receiving stipends to compete in some events, having gear and apparel provided, and sponsors provide free or discounted products.
“Endurance races are not overly expensive, but when you are doing several a year—and throughout the country—it is helpful to have some support,” Johnson said. Additionally, Johnson appreciates the community of athletes of which he is a part.
“Endurance racing can be a lonely sport so it is nice to see a familiar face wearing the same colors as you,” Johnson said. “Being on the sponsored team is very motivating for me and it has really pushed me to train harder than ever.”
Johnson is currently being trained by a former national-level Ultra runner, Howard Nippert, and hopes the experience will result in top finishes at the Boston Marathon Shadow Run in Kabul, the Chasing Jefferson Davis Marathon, the Air Force Marathon in Ohio, and the Javelina Jundred (100-kilometer race) in Arizona. His goal in the marathons is to shave at least seven minutes of his previous personal best of 2:47.
Johnson is a husband and the father to three children, who he said are his inspiration, and who have been swept up in his passion. His wife has taken up racing, and his son is on his school’s cross country team, which Johnson and his wife coach.
Johnson, a commissioned Air Force cyber officer, was recently selected for promotion to the rank of major, and plans on remaining in the Air Force for at least the next five years until retirement is an option.
At the end of the career that gave him his passion, Johnson plans to turn his passion into a second career, coaching running “in some sort of capacity.”
More information about the USMES is available online at www.usmes.org. Any current or former member of the armed forces can join the USMES.
Dynamic Duo
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Seniors Emily Isaacson (left) and Morgan Reeder (right) led the Bees in numerous significant statistical categories last year, with Isaacson being first in most of them and Reeder following closely behind.
Returning seniors bring back majority of Bees’ offense, defense
November 28, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School girls’ basketball team is looking forward to getting their season underway this week, which kicked off last night at Judge Memorial High School.
Bees’ head coach Aaron Dooley said the team is excited to get some games under its belt and will be leaning on some experienced players, especially in the early going as the team finds its identity.
“We’ve got a lot of girls back that kind of know where we’re at,” Dooley said. “We’ve also got some girls that have some good, contagious attitudes and we really like that.”
This year, the Bees will lean heavily on a dynamic duo of seniors who contributed much to the Bees’ success last year. Emily Isaacson, last year’s leading scorer who just signed a letter of intent to play at Dixie State next year, and fellow senior Morgan Reeder, also a starting guard last year, led the team in all the major statistical categories.
Isaacson and Reeder return the majority of the Bees’ offense from last season, as the two produced more than half of the Bees’ 1,220 total points. Isaacson was far and away Box Elder’s most potent threat to score, recording a team-leading 422 points (17.58 average per game), both inside and outside the arc. Reeder was second in scoring behind Isaacson, with 240 points.
As a junior, Isaacson was arguably the Bees’ most important player, leading in several important statistical categories including 3-point scoring (48), rebounds (200, 8.33 per game), assists (55) and steals (55). Reeder was not far behind in many of those categories with 43 assists and 52 steals.
The Bees will miss the rebounds and assists produced by three of last years’ seniors, but Box Elder has a strong group of supporting cast and underclassmen, several of whom contributed on the varsity level last year and will be looking to make an even bigger impact this season in expanded roles. Three of those include center Annika Quayle, who gave reliable relief to starting center Andreanna McKee. Quayle scored 68 points and pulled down 70 rebounds last year.
Other key returners are junior guards Kate Johnson and Jenna Mortensen.
The Bees opened their season for the second straight year against the Bulldogs of Judge Memorial last night (results not available by press time).
This weekend, the team will head south for some warmer weather and three chances to play against teams they wouldn’t normally face as they’ll take on Salem Hills on Thursday, Desert Hills on Friday, and Hurricane on Saturday at the Desert Hills Holiday Classic in St. George.
To have success in the early going, coach Dooley said he is looking to rely on his team’s familiarity with their system and each other as a strength.
“Obviously every year and every team is a little bit different, but these girls are a little bit more familiar with their reactions and their ball reactions, so I think that’s going to be a strength for us,” Dooley said.
After their trip to St. George, the Bees will be back in action Friday, Dec. 7, in their home opener against Logan. The game against the Grizzlies is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
That is the beginning of a challenging preseason schedule that includes games against Fremont, Corner Canyon, and Copper Hills ahead of their first region game against Farmington on Jan. 11.
Of the preseason schedule, coach Dooley said, “We have a pretty tough preseason and we want to go through our preseason and get some good, quality games. We don’t want to build any type of false confidence by just playing teams we know we can beat. We want to play teams that are going to push us and challenge us and make us better. We think we have that in our preseason schedule and we’ll be looking to get better every game.”
In addition to those early tests, the Bees will take on Sky View and Mountain Crest from Cache Valley in the month of December and will travel to Garland to take on rival Bear River on Dec. 21.
Once region play starts, there will be a lot of new faces around the region as Roy, Viewmont, and Bountiful all had senior-laden teams last year and will have very different-looking rosters than they did a year ago.
With those changes, coupled with Farmington competing in its first year, the Bees figure to be in the mix for what may shape up to be another hotly contested region championship in 2019.
Returning seniors bring back majority of Bees’ offense, defense
November 28, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School girls’ basketball team is looking forward to getting their season underway this week, which kicked off last night at Judge Memorial High School.
Bees’ head coach Aaron Dooley said the team is excited to get some games under its belt and will be leaning on some experienced players, especially in the early going as the team finds its identity.
“We’ve got a lot of girls back that kind of know where we’re at,” Dooley said. “We’ve also got some girls that have some good, contagious attitudes and we really like that.”
This year, the Bees will lean heavily on a dynamic duo of seniors who contributed much to the Bees’ success last year. Emily Isaacson, last year’s leading scorer who just signed a letter of intent to play at Dixie State next year, and fellow senior Morgan Reeder, also a starting guard last year, led the team in all the major statistical categories.
Isaacson and Reeder return the majority of the Bees’ offense from last season, as the two produced more than half of the Bees’ 1,220 total points. Isaacson was far and away Box Elder’s most potent threat to score, recording a team-leading 422 points (17.58 average per game), both inside and outside the arc. Reeder was second in scoring behind Isaacson, with 240 points.
As a junior, Isaacson was arguably the Bees’ most important player, leading in several important statistical categories including 3-point scoring (48), rebounds (200, 8.33 per game), assists (55) and steals (55). Reeder was not far behind in many of those categories with 43 assists and 52 steals.
The Bees will miss the rebounds and assists produced by three of last years’ seniors, but Box Elder has a strong group of supporting cast and underclassmen, several of whom contributed on the varsity level last year and will be looking to make an even bigger impact this season in expanded roles. Three of those include center Annika Quayle, who gave reliable relief to starting center Andreanna McKee. Quayle scored 68 points and pulled down 70 rebounds last year.
Other key returners are junior guards Kate Johnson and Jenna Mortensen.
The Bees opened their season for the second straight year against the Bulldogs of Judge Memorial last night (results not available by press time).
This weekend, the team will head south for some warmer weather and three chances to play against teams they wouldn’t normally face as they’ll take on Salem Hills on Thursday, Desert Hills on Friday, and Hurricane on Saturday at the Desert Hills Holiday Classic in St. George.
To have success in the early going, coach Dooley said he is looking to rely on his team’s familiarity with their system and each other as a strength.
“Obviously every year and every team is a little bit different, but these girls are a little bit more familiar with their reactions and their ball reactions, so I think that’s going to be a strength for us,” Dooley said.
After their trip to St. George, the Bees will be back in action Friday, Dec. 7, in their home opener against Logan. The game against the Grizzlies is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
That is the beginning of a challenging preseason schedule that includes games against Fremont, Corner Canyon, and Copper Hills ahead of their first region game against Farmington on Jan. 11.
Of the preseason schedule, coach Dooley said, “We have a pretty tough preseason and we want to go through our preseason and get some good, quality games. We don’t want to build any type of false confidence by just playing teams we know we can beat. We want to play teams that are going to push us and challenge us and make us better. We think we have that in our preseason schedule and we’ll be looking to get better every game.”
In addition to those early tests, the Bees will take on Sky View and Mountain Crest from Cache Valley in the month of December and will travel to Garland to take on rival Bear River on Dec. 21.
Once region play starts, there will be a lot of new faces around the region as Roy, Viewmont, and Bountiful all had senior-laden teams last year and will have very different-looking rosters than they did a year ago.
With those changes, coupled with Farmington competing in its first year, the Bees figure to be in the mix for what may shape up to be another hotly contested region championship in 2019.
District considering sanctioning lacrosse at county high schools
November 21, 2018 • Nancy Browne • Staff Writer
Following an outpouring of positive support at the Box Elder School District Board of Education meeting last Wednesday, it’s beginning to look like lacrosse may soon be a sanctioned sport in the district.
If approved, the sport that has been played at the club level for more than 15 years in Box Elder County would begin at the high schools in the 2019-20 school year. The Board put it on the agenda to discuss it so a decision could be made before the Jan. 2, 2019, deadline set by the Utah High School Activities Association Board of Trustees.
The UHSAA approved lacrosse as a sanctioned sport for both boys and girls on May 5, 2017, making it the 11th sport sanctioned by the organization.
Superintendent Steven Carlsen said, “I believe strongly in students being involved in extra curricular activities.” He cited a study that showed 46 to 60 percent of students don’t feel connected to their schools.
Carlsen said he supported sanctioning lacrosse, but had a few reservations, including heavy travel and bus usage from February to May, and additional fees for families that may not be able to afford them. While fees can be waived in some cases, the school board can’t cover costs associated with extracurricular athletics.
He also mentioned the cost of paying coaches, and that Box Elder High School has a field where the team can play but Bear River does not. Also, preparing fields takes full-time employees which needs to be considered.
Bear River High School athletic director Van Park said he was not enthusiastic about sanctioning lacrosse because of costs and finding field space, but “came on board” when he saw the enthusiasm among students and that local lacrosse clubs were willing to donate equipment to the schools.
“We will donate everything we have to the school,” including goals, balls, helmets, goalie gear, and uniforms, said Trisha Gaythan, president of Box Elder Lacrosse Boys’ Club. She echoed similar pledges from other club coaches in attendance.
She said the number of elementary and middle school players is also growing, which will ensure increased skill sets when they join the high school teams.
Alan Shakespear, a girl’s junior varsity coach, said, “I know it’s sacred ground but it [lacrosse] can also be played on a football field for both boys and girls.”
Shakespear also addressed a concern that adding another sport will dilute the pool of available talent for other sports. “Out of our 32 girls from last year, only three also did another sport. So, it does really provide a great outlet,” he said.
Juan Gaythan, Box Elder head coach, emphasized that all students are welcome to play. “We don’t cut players. They’re drawn to lacrosse because we take them all,” another good reason for sanctioning the sport, he argued.
Several students, parents, and club coaches stood and explained how lacrosse also engenders a special kind of sportsmanship not always found in other sports.
Steven Shipp, who used to play lacrosse as a student and now helps coach, said “I tried out for football but it didn’t work out for me. Then a friend invited me to try lacrosse and it was a totally different environment. I started to realize, ‘Hey, this is a great thing.’
“It helped me to grow, so I just really hope you’ll give these kids an opportunity to show what they can do,” he said, adding that colleges are even going to the games to see who might be scholarship material.
Kaylee Munns, a Bear River High School student and student member of the school board who plays lacrosse, said, “In lacrosse, there is so much respect for each other. This is a good opportunity to get kids who are not involved in a lot to come out.”
Jim Peterson said as other districts and schools sanction lacrosse, it will be come more difficult to have a club program since clubs can’t play against teams from schools that have sanctioned the sport.
“Alpine School District petitioned the state to have their club teams play the high schools if they (Alpine) weren’t sanctioned and it was turned down,” he said. “So, if we want to play other high schools, we need to sanction it.” It was suggested by many that Davis and Weber schools will most likely have sanctioned teams.
Another consideration came from Assistant Superintendent Keith Mecham, who explained that all coaching positions would be open to the public and not necessarily go to current club coaches. He also noted that students would need to meet certain eligibility requirements such as having a 2.0 grade point average.
One head coach and two assistant coaches for both boys’ and girls’ programs at both high schools would cost about $34,000, according to information provided by the school district.
Each boy player must purchase their own stick, shoulder pads, gloves and elbow pads while each girl must purchase a stick and goggles. Only goalies on girls’ teams use a helmet.
“This is a really affordable sport,” interjected Board Member Nancy Kennedy. “Sticks are not that expensive and it’s easy to get into without having to mortgage everything you have.
“It’s the most fun sport you will ever watch,” she added. “It’s not just all about brute strength. It’s a great sport.”
Following an outpouring of positive support at the Box Elder School District Board of Education meeting last Wednesday, it’s beginning to look like lacrosse may soon be a sanctioned sport in the district.
If approved, the sport that has been played at the club level for more than 15 years in Box Elder County would begin at the high schools in the 2019-20 school year. The Board put it on the agenda to discuss it so a decision could be made before the Jan. 2, 2019, deadline set by the Utah High School Activities Association Board of Trustees.
The UHSAA approved lacrosse as a sanctioned sport for both boys and girls on May 5, 2017, making it the 11th sport sanctioned by the organization.
Superintendent Steven Carlsen said, “I believe strongly in students being involved in extra curricular activities.” He cited a study that showed 46 to 60 percent of students don’t feel connected to their schools.
Carlsen said he supported sanctioning lacrosse, but had a few reservations, including heavy travel and bus usage from February to May, and additional fees for families that may not be able to afford them. While fees can be waived in some cases, the school board can’t cover costs associated with extracurricular athletics.
He also mentioned the cost of paying coaches, and that Box Elder High School has a field where the team can play but Bear River does not. Also, preparing fields takes full-time employees which needs to be considered.
Bear River High School athletic director Van Park said he was not enthusiastic about sanctioning lacrosse because of costs and finding field space, but “came on board” when he saw the enthusiasm among students and that local lacrosse clubs were willing to donate equipment to the schools.
“We will donate everything we have to the school,” including goals, balls, helmets, goalie gear, and uniforms, said Trisha Gaythan, president of Box Elder Lacrosse Boys’ Club. She echoed similar pledges from other club coaches in attendance.
She said the number of elementary and middle school players is also growing, which will ensure increased skill sets when they join the high school teams.
Alan Shakespear, a girl’s junior varsity coach, said, “I know it’s sacred ground but it [lacrosse] can also be played on a football field for both boys and girls.”
Shakespear also addressed a concern that adding another sport will dilute the pool of available talent for other sports. “Out of our 32 girls from last year, only three also did another sport. So, it does really provide a great outlet,” he said.
Juan Gaythan, Box Elder head coach, emphasized that all students are welcome to play. “We don’t cut players. They’re drawn to lacrosse because we take them all,” another good reason for sanctioning the sport, he argued.
Several students, parents, and club coaches stood and explained how lacrosse also engenders a special kind of sportsmanship not always found in other sports.
Steven Shipp, who used to play lacrosse as a student and now helps coach, said “I tried out for football but it didn’t work out for me. Then a friend invited me to try lacrosse and it was a totally different environment. I started to realize, ‘Hey, this is a great thing.’
“It helped me to grow, so I just really hope you’ll give these kids an opportunity to show what they can do,” he said, adding that colleges are even going to the games to see who might be scholarship material.
Kaylee Munns, a Bear River High School student and student member of the school board who plays lacrosse, said, “In lacrosse, there is so much respect for each other. This is a good opportunity to get kids who are not involved in a lot to come out.”
Jim Peterson said as other districts and schools sanction lacrosse, it will be come more difficult to have a club program since clubs can’t play against teams from schools that have sanctioned the sport.
“Alpine School District petitioned the state to have their club teams play the high schools if they (Alpine) weren’t sanctioned and it was turned down,” he said. “So, if we want to play other high schools, we need to sanction it.” It was suggested by many that Davis and Weber schools will most likely have sanctioned teams.
Another consideration came from Assistant Superintendent Keith Mecham, who explained that all coaching positions would be open to the public and not necessarily go to current club coaches. He also noted that students would need to meet certain eligibility requirements such as having a 2.0 grade point average.
One head coach and two assistant coaches for both boys’ and girls’ programs at both high schools would cost about $34,000, according to information provided by the school district.
Each boy player must purchase their own stick, shoulder pads, gloves and elbow pads while each girl must purchase a stick and goggles. Only goalies on girls’ teams use a helmet.
“This is a really affordable sport,” interjected Board Member Nancy Kennedy. “Sticks are not that expensive and it’s easy to get into without having to mortgage everything you have.
“It’s the most fun sport you will ever watch,” she added. “It’s not just all about brute strength. It’s a great sport.”
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Eagle Mountain Golf Course Superintendent Spencer Mendenhall was named the UGA’s Superintendent of the Year for public courses
Dedicated greenskeeper earns Superintendent of the Year nod November 21, 2018 • Sean Hales • Managing Editor In the recent release of the Utah Golf Association’s annual awards, Brigham City’s Eagle Mountain Golf Course got a nod when the course’s greenskeeper was named Superintendent of the Year for public courses. According to Eagle Mountain’s Director of Golf Chris Marx, Superintendent Spencer Mendenhall is dedicated to creating superior playing conditions on the course, and has an eye for detail that results in changes most people won’t notice, but contributes to the overall experience of patrons. Most notable among the changes over Spencer’s three-year tenure at Eagle Mountain are improved greens and sculpted fairways that improve playability and beauty. The golf course’s greens have been argued as being among the best in the state—if not the best—by locals and visitors. “On a daily basis we have people come into the pro shop and compliment us on the course conditions,” Marx wrote in a letter nominating Mendhenhall. “My favorite compliments are from two different customers from prominent country clubs in the state. They said, ‘This is wrong that I belong to a country club and we can’t have as good as greens as you guys here at Eagle Mountain.’ Spencer has made a marked difference in the daily quality of the greens and the golf course as a whole. The professionals that have played in the Brigham City Open over the years have noticed this also.” Mendenhall’s dedication to creating a “great course” come from his own passion for the game, and—besides the quality of the greens—the changes he has made are due to a keen eye for detail, including sculpting fairways to improve playability and allowing native grasses in areas of rough to grow out. Box Elder midfielder known for consistency and reliability signs with SU Red Hawks
Mylan Daniels (seated) looks on as her father, Shawn, signs her letter of intent to play soccer at Seattle University. Also pictured is Pamela Daniels.
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As he sits in the coaches office lined with trophies won under former coach Mike Ripplinger, new Box Elder High School wrestling coach Jed Craner said he is aware of the ‘shadow’ cast by Ripplinger’s legacy, and that he is excited for the challenge of continuing it.
The shadow of expectation It’s difficult—at best—to not be constantly reminded of the legacy and tradition of Box Elder High School’s wrestling program. “Those trophies,” said first-year Box Elder coach Jed Craner, indicating the several large Spartan-style helmets atop a cabinet—reminders of the many Layton Invitational titles won under retired head coach Mike Ripplinger—“they cast somewhat of a shadow.” And that’s just inside the coach’s office. The wall of the school’s wrestling room is adorned with names; a litany of the legacy left behind by Ripplinger’s 34-year career. “It’s intimidating,” said Craner about being asked to fill the very large shoes Ripplinger left behind. And even though he knew the expectations he would face, he said he never had a second thought about taking over Ripplinger’s program. “It was instantly yes,” Craner said. “I love a challenge...[I’m] ready to take the challenge on.” Prior to taking the head coaching position at Box Elder, the 27-year-old Craner had spent two years as head coach at Bonneville High School, and was an assistant at Viewmont for five years before that. Along with his experience as a coach, Craner brings his own legacy of success. As a wrestler at Fremont High School from 2008-2010, Craner claimed the 160-pound 5A state title as a junior, and finished with a record of 48-2. That same year, he claimed third at the Reno World Championships. As a senior, he compiled an undefeated record of 52-0 and earned his second state title at 170 pounds. He was named outstanding wrestler for the upper weights that year. He placed second at both the Utah State Freestyle Tournament and the Reno World Championships. Craner said that he perceived a decline in the Box Elder wrestling program over the last several years as the Bees saw fewer and fewer wrestlers make it to the state championship mat. Given that perception, he thought Ripplinger had left the “cupboard bare” following the graduation of three-year state champion Garrett Ricks and Ripplinger’s second four-time state champ, Brock Hardy. Jed discovered that his perception was not reality (see related story on this page), but even if it had been, he had a good track record of building a team at Bonneville, where in just two years he went from just six returners to a team of more than 40 wrestlers. He also established a strong little league program. |
Balanced team will lean heavily on inside experience
Parker Buchanan
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Tyson Madson
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November 14, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School boys’ basketball team is in its final week of practice before kicking off their 2018-2019 campaign next week at the UVU Tip-off Classic at Utah Valley University in Orem.
The Bees are returning from their best season in the last several years after finishing with a 14-8 overall record, including a 7-1 region mark and an outright region championship.
The biggest hole to fill this season will be in the backcourt, as the Bees lost a very experienced guardline in Cameron Saunders and Max Watson.
With those losses, the varsity-level experience on the team shifts from the backcourt to the frontcourt as the Bees will return sophomore post player Parker Buchanan and senior big man Tyson Madsen, both of whom will be leaned on heavily to make up for some of the offensive output that Watson gave the team for the last four years.
“We should be a lot more balanced this year and I think that will be a good thing. Teams won’t be able to just key in on one player when they play us, and that should make it tougher for them to prepare,” said Bees’ head coach Jace McKee.
The team will be changing its strategy on both ends of the court from last season to best utilize their experience inside.
“We’ll be more post-oriented this season, I think, since we have some experienced guys down there,” McKee said. “Our bigs will be tough to handle down on the blocks, but we also have some guards that are more than capable of scoring the ball as well. It should be a fun year for us.”
In their first game, the Bees will square off against Timpview next Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.
Following the tournament, the Bees will be on the road at Weber before the home opener on Tuesday, Dec. 11, against Green Canyon.
The rivalry game against Bear River will be held in Tremonton this year on Friday, Dec. 21, and the team will get a few games in over the Christmas break when they head to the Utah Autism Holliday Classic hosted by Olympus High School.
Region play will start Friday, Jan. 11 with a home game against Farmington, and the Bees will end on a three-game road stretch with the last region game at Viewmont on Feb. 20. The last home game will be on Friday, Feb. 8, when Box Elder hosts Roy.
Bountiful looks to be the early favorite in Region 5, and they’ll be led by four-year starting guard, Brig Willard.
After the Braves, things look pretty tight among the rest of the teams in the region and playoff positioning will most likely be on the line each week all the way through February.
The Box Elder High School boys’ basketball team is in its final week of practice before kicking off their 2018-2019 campaign next week at the UVU Tip-off Classic at Utah Valley University in Orem.
The Bees are returning from their best season in the last several years after finishing with a 14-8 overall record, including a 7-1 region mark and an outright region championship.
The biggest hole to fill this season will be in the backcourt, as the Bees lost a very experienced guardline in Cameron Saunders and Max Watson.
With those losses, the varsity-level experience on the team shifts from the backcourt to the frontcourt as the Bees will return sophomore post player Parker Buchanan and senior big man Tyson Madsen, both of whom will be leaned on heavily to make up for some of the offensive output that Watson gave the team for the last four years.
“We should be a lot more balanced this year and I think that will be a good thing. Teams won’t be able to just key in on one player when they play us, and that should make it tougher for them to prepare,” said Bees’ head coach Jace McKee.
The team will be changing its strategy on both ends of the court from last season to best utilize their experience inside.
“We’ll be more post-oriented this season, I think, since we have some experienced guys down there,” McKee said. “Our bigs will be tough to handle down on the blocks, but we also have some guards that are more than capable of scoring the ball as well. It should be a fun year for us.”
In their first game, the Bees will square off against Timpview next Wednesday at 12:30 p.m.
Following the tournament, the Bees will be on the road at Weber before the home opener on Tuesday, Dec. 11, against Green Canyon.
The rivalry game against Bear River will be held in Tremonton this year on Friday, Dec. 21, and the team will get a few games in over the Christmas break when they head to the Utah Autism Holliday Classic hosted by Olympus High School.
Region play will start Friday, Jan. 11 with a home game against Farmington, and the Bees will end on a three-game road stretch with the last region game at Viewmont on Feb. 20. The last home game will be on Friday, Feb. 8, when Box Elder hosts Roy.
Bountiful looks to be the early favorite in Region 5, and they’ll be led by four-year starting guard, Brig Willard.
After the Braves, things look pretty tight among the rest of the teams in the region and playoff positioning will most likely be on the line each week all the way through February.
Bees rose to the challenge as defending state champions
November 14, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
Defending a state championship is never without its challenges, but the Box Elder High School volleyball team embraced the added pressure and additional expectations this season as the team rose to every hurdle it faced en route to an outright region championship followed by a third-place finish at the state tournament.
This year’s team was as deep and experienced as any in recent memory, and was led by five graduating seniors, four of whom played a major role in last season’s state championship. The fifth, Sarah Reeder, suffered an injury midway through the season last year and was relegated to cheering her team on to the championship.
When asked how the team dealt with the inevitable expectations this year, Bees’ head coach Kristine Harding said, “We definitely talked about it. It wasn’t the elephant in the room, but we said that there was no success this season that could ride off the success from last season. It’s a whole new season and a whole new year. It doesn’t matter what happened last year, we just want to be the best we can be this year.”
The Bees came out with their best to start the season and opened with six straight wins before dropping their first match against Skyview from Nampa, Idaho.
The team didn’t lose again until the semifinals of the state tournament against eventual champion Skyridge, and rattled off 15 consecutive wins, including a perfect 10-0 record in Region 5 to earn their first region championship since 2011.
On the court, whenever the team needed a big play, they knew they could turn to outside hitter Emily Isaacson, and she delivered monstrous kills at crucial times again and again.
Isaacson lead the team with 186 kills on the year and fellow senior Jaida Burt finished with 146.
Isaacson also lead the team from the service line with 23 aces on the year, again followed by Burt who had 19, and Annie Mecham served up 18.
On the defensive side of the net, Burt led with 41 blocks on the season followed by Reeder, who sent back 38 shots.
On the backline, the team was lead by libero Morgan Reeder, who came up with 210 digs and kept many rallies alive to keep the momentum in the Bees’ favor.
Those seniors meant everything to the program, according to Harding.
“Oh man. Talk about heart, passion, dedication and the leadership that you hope everybody develops in a program,” Harding said. “They have been great examples to the underclassmen and I felt they really embraced what it meant to be part of a team.”
Sarah Reeder echoed her coach’s comments when asked about her favorite memory of being a member of the Box Elder volleyball team. “For me, this year was my favorite because, as a senior, you get little sisters, who are younger girls on the team,” Reeder said. “So you get a bunch of gifts for them and get really close to them during the year. Honestly, for me, that was worth more to me than the championship last year.”
All the outgoing seniors agreed that the biggest lessons they learned included the power of hard work and how to be mentally tough, even under pressure. Mecham summed up her experience playing when she said, “I think the biggest takeaway for me is that when you put your mind to something and work hard for it, good things can happen.”
Despite losing five seniors, coach Harding said she is very optimistic about the future of the program.
“It’s kind of the same role as we had last year,” Harding said. “We had girls that could have easily come off the bench and played at the varsity level, but the opportunities didn’t happen as much. I felt the exact same way this year where I had girls that I could have pulled off the bench and get varsity minutes. So I feel that the skills are there. Maybe not the varsity time, but the skills are there and we should be competitive next year again.
“I feel that one of the strengths of our program over the last three or four years is mental toughness. So I’m hoping that we don’t miss a beat and can just come in and keep pushing.”
Courtesy Marsha Sparks
The Box Elder Composite Mountain Bike Team has grown from four members it’s first year in 2015, to 32 members this year: (front) Reed Johnson, Camden Beard, Stryker Melehes, Jensen Braegger, Bradlee Hall, Oakly Dalebout, Katelyn Webecke, Rachel Sparks, Madeline Keller, Allie Dalebout, (middle) Carter Rose, Logan Braegger, William Leishman, Deagan PoVey, Abram Dow, Jack Deem, Sam Leishman, Jon Keller, Logan Packer, coach Molly Morris, Anders Powell, coach Derek Morris, (back) Jason Sparks, Josh Braegger, Levi Melehes, Colby Collom, Kaleb Astle, Hunter Munns, coach Jason Munns, Tanner Munns, Dixon Ekins, Levi Law, coach Lane Taylor, Blake Thompson, Andrew Burton, Bobby Collom, coach Kenny Funk, and Jake Paul. Not pictured: Caden Rose, Heath Warner, Josh Adams and Truman Johnson.
From 4 to 32: BE mountain bike team sees big growth in three years
November 14, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
Although not yet an officially sponsored high school sport, mountain biking has gained a lot of traction in Utah over the last few years and Box Elder County is getting in on the action as the Box Elder Composite team, consisting of riders from both Box Elder and Bear River high schools, competed this year in the North region before competing in the statewide championship race held in St. George.
The regular season consisted of four races against other schools in the region, which determined the seedings for the finals at the state meet.
This season, the team had one standout rider in sophomore Hunter Munns, son of head coach Jason Munns, who finished second in region and at the state tournament.
Overall, the Box Elder team finished in fifth place out of 26 teams in the North region, and 16th out of 82 teams at the state meet.
Coach Munns said the organization of the team in 2015 served a purpose for him, as well as being a way to give back to the community.
“I used to race bikes when I was younger and in high school, just on the road because mountain biking wasn’t really big back then,” Munns said. “Then, as I got older, I got out of shape and wanted to turn that around. So I got back on my bike and found that love of cycling again. I lost almost 100 pounds and, as a small business owner, it’s always been important for me to give back to the community. So I found some people involved with mountain bike racing and we just started from there.”
That first year, there were just four racers on the team. Now, the team has 34 members ranging from 7th to 12th grades.
A few of the things that drew coach Munns to the mountain biking scene were the five core principles of the Utah High School Cycling League: Strong body, strong mind, strong character, inclusivity, and equality.
“I strongly believe in all those myself and it’s been great to be affiliated with an organization like this,” Munns said.
Coach Munns went on to say, “One of the really cool things about mountain biking in high school is we include everyone. The state of Utah is even involved in a program called Elevate that gives kids with disabilities or special needs the chance to come out and ride with us. We’ve never turned anyone away and it’s just a great thing for the whole family.”
With mountain biking still classified as a club sport in Utah, coach Munns and all of his assistants volunteer all their time to the team, including three assistant coaches and six ride leaders: parents who volunteer to go on rides with the kids during practice.
The mountain biking season officially runs from the middle of June through the end of October, though the team will sponsor individual events through the winter and spring months as well.
For more information on the club, you can check out the team’s Facebook page or contact coach Munns directly via email at jthmunns@gmail.com, or call (801) 458-0106.
The Box Elder Composite Mountain Bike Team has grown from four members it’s first year in 2015, to 32 members this year: (front) Reed Johnson, Camden Beard, Stryker Melehes, Jensen Braegger, Bradlee Hall, Oakly Dalebout, Katelyn Webecke, Rachel Sparks, Madeline Keller, Allie Dalebout, (middle) Carter Rose, Logan Braegger, William Leishman, Deagan PoVey, Abram Dow, Jack Deem, Sam Leishman, Jon Keller, Logan Packer, coach Molly Morris, Anders Powell, coach Derek Morris, (back) Jason Sparks, Josh Braegger, Levi Melehes, Colby Collom, Kaleb Astle, Hunter Munns, coach Jason Munns, Tanner Munns, Dixon Ekins, Levi Law, coach Lane Taylor, Blake Thompson, Andrew Burton, Bobby Collom, coach Kenny Funk, and Jake Paul. Not pictured: Caden Rose, Heath Warner, Josh Adams and Truman Johnson.
From 4 to 32: BE mountain bike team sees big growth in three years
November 14, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
Although not yet an officially sponsored high school sport, mountain biking has gained a lot of traction in Utah over the last few years and Box Elder County is getting in on the action as the Box Elder Composite team, consisting of riders from both Box Elder and Bear River high schools, competed this year in the North region before competing in the statewide championship race held in St. George.
The regular season consisted of four races against other schools in the region, which determined the seedings for the finals at the state meet.
This season, the team had one standout rider in sophomore Hunter Munns, son of head coach Jason Munns, who finished second in region and at the state tournament.
Overall, the Box Elder team finished in fifth place out of 26 teams in the North region, and 16th out of 82 teams at the state meet.
Coach Munns said the organization of the team in 2015 served a purpose for him, as well as being a way to give back to the community.
“I used to race bikes when I was younger and in high school, just on the road because mountain biking wasn’t really big back then,” Munns said. “Then, as I got older, I got out of shape and wanted to turn that around. So I got back on my bike and found that love of cycling again. I lost almost 100 pounds and, as a small business owner, it’s always been important for me to give back to the community. So I found some people involved with mountain bike racing and we just started from there.”
That first year, there were just four racers on the team. Now, the team has 34 members ranging from 7th to 12th grades.
A few of the things that drew coach Munns to the mountain biking scene were the five core principles of the Utah High School Cycling League: Strong body, strong mind, strong character, inclusivity, and equality.
“I strongly believe in all those myself and it’s been great to be affiliated with an organization like this,” Munns said.
Coach Munns went on to say, “One of the really cool things about mountain biking in high school is we include everyone. The state of Utah is even involved in a program called Elevate that gives kids with disabilities or special needs the chance to come out and ride with us. We’ve never turned anyone away and it’s just a great thing for the whole family.”
With mountain biking still classified as a club sport in Utah, coach Munns and all of his assistants volunteer all their time to the team, including three assistant coaches and six ride leaders: parents who volunteer to go on rides with the kids during practice.
The mountain biking season officially runs from the middle of June through the end of October, though the team will sponsor individual events through the winter and spring months as well.
For more information on the club, you can check out the team’s Facebook page or contact coach Munns directly via email at jthmunns@gmail.com, or call (801) 458-0106.
Bees can’t find rhythm in semifinals, finish third at 5A state tournament
November 7, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School volleyball team made it to championship Saturday last week at the 5A state volleyball tournament before bowing out to eventual champion Skyridge in the semifinals.
It was the first meeting between the two of the year, and many believed that the winner would have the inside track to hoisting the state championship trophy.
The match started out tight and neither team was able to gain much of an advantage, but the Bees were able to make a few key plays late and came away with the first set 25-23.
From there, the Falcons proved to be the aggressors and kept the Bees chasing and playing catch-up for the rest of the match.
“We just couldn’t find our rhythm,” said head coach Kristine Harding. “[The Falcons] played in system for most of the match and controlled the tempo. They forced us into giving them some free balls and just kept us chasing the whole match. So a lot of credit goes to them, they are a really tough team.”
In spite of their best efforts, the Bees couldn’t grab the momentum and the Falcons took the next three sets 25-21, 25-20, 25-22.
The Falcons went on to defeat Springville, who upset Corner Canyon in the semifinals, to earn a spot in the championship for their first-ever state volleyball title.
The Bees got to play the Chargers in the consolation match and ended up winning an emotion-charged match in five sets 25-18, 19-25, 18-25, 25-22, 15-10 to finish in third place.
After all was said and done, coach Harding said, “I’m really proud of our girls. Their hearts were in it and they did as much as they could do. They worked through a lot of emotions along the way and, in the end, we had a great season.”
As the top seed from Region 5, the Bees drew the fourth seed from Region 8, Wasatch, in the opening round of the tournament, and won in straight sets, 25-12, 25-17, 25-15.
“[The Wasps] were a tough four-seed. They were ranked pretty high early in the year. Then things happened and they lost some key matches, but they were still a really hard team to start with,” Harding said.
That win moved the Bees into the quarterfinal match on Thursday evening where they faced Skyline, who knocked off Timpview in four sets in the first round.
The Eagles came into the match looking to avenge a loss to the Bees on Aug. 30 in Brigham City in a preseason match for both teams.
Despite the added motivation of the state tournament, the result was the same as the Bees took the match in three straight sets, winning 25-22, 25-20, 25-16.
After another straight-set victory, coach Harding said, “[The Eagles] were another tough team. The big advantage we had against them was we had played them before. We struggled blocking some of their sets in the first match, so we had a chance to clean some of that up and that helped out a lot.”
The Bees were led as they have been all season long by outside hitter Emily Isaacson, who finished with 15 kills, and middle blocker Jaida Burt, who added 10 kills.
After the tournament, coach Harding said that Isaacson brought a special kind of energy and enthusiasm that picked the whole team up at crucial moments throughout the tournament. She said, “Emily made some big plays for us at big times that just pumped everyone up and pulled us through some tough spots.”
Isaacson and Burt also each added two aces to keep the Eagles on their heels all night long.
On the back line, Morgan Reeder led the way digging up 22 balls and Annie Mecham served up 33 assists to lead the team.
That win advanced the Bees into the semifinals where they faced the Falcons, who had been ranked number two in the 5A classification, right behind the Bees, all season.
November 7, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School volleyball team made it to championship Saturday last week at the 5A state volleyball tournament before bowing out to eventual champion Skyridge in the semifinals.
It was the first meeting between the two of the year, and many believed that the winner would have the inside track to hoisting the state championship trophy.
The match started out tight and neither team was able to gain much of an advantage, but the Bees were able to make a few key plays late and came away with the first set 25-23.
From there, the Falcons proved to be the aggressors and kept the Bees chasing and playing catch-up for the rest of the match.
“We just couldn’t find our rhythm,” said head coach Kristine Harding. “[The Falcons] played in system for most of the match and controlled the tempo. They forced us into giving them some free balls and just kept us chasing the whole match. So a lot of credit goes to them, they are a really tough team.”
In spite of their best efforts, the Bees couldn’t grab the momentum and the Falcons took the next three sets 25-21, 25-20, 25-22.
The Falcons went on to defeat Springville, who upset Corner Canyon in the semifinals, to earn a spot in the championship for their first-ever state volleyball title.
The Bees got to play the Chargers in the consolation match and ended up winning an emotion-charged match in five sets 25-18, 19-25, 18-25, 25-22, 15-10 to finish in third place.
After all was said and done, coach Harding said, “I’m really proud of our girls. Their hearts were in it and they did as much as they could do. They worked through a lot of emotions along the way and, in the end, we had a great season.”
As the top seed from Region 5, the Bees drew the fourth seed from Region 8, Wasatch, in the opening round of the tournament, and won in straight sets, 25-12, 25-17, 25-15.
“[The Wasps] were a tough four-seed. They were ranked pretty high early in the year. Then things happened and they lost some key matches, but they were still a really hard team to start with,” Harding said.
That win moved the Bees into the quarterfinal match on Thursday evening where they faced Skyline, who knocked off Timpview in four sets in the first round.
The Eagles came into the match looking to avenge a loss to the Bees on Aug. 30 in Brigham City in a preseason match for both teams.
Despite the added motivation of the state tournament, the result was the same as the Bees took the match in three straight sets, winning 25-22, 25-20, 25-16.
After another straight-set victory, coach Harding said, “[The Eagles] were another tough team. The big advantage we had against them was we had played them before. We struggled blocking some of their sets in the first match, so we had a chance to clean some of that up and that helped out a lot.”
The Bees were led as they have been all season long by outside hitter Emily Isaacson, who finished with 15 kills, and middle blocker Jaida Burt, who added 10 kills.
After the tournament, coach Harding said that Isaacson brought a special kind of energy and enthusiasm that picked the whole team up at crucial moments throughout the tournament. She said, “Emily made some big plays for us at big times that just pumped everyone up and pulled us through some tough spots.”
Isaacson and Burt also each added two aces to keep the Eagles on their heels all night long.
On the back line, Morgan Reeder led the way digging up 22 balls and Annie Mecham served up 33 assists to lead the team.
That win advanced the Bees into the semifinals where they faced the Falcons, who had been ranked number two in the 5A classification, right behind the Bees, all season.
Players and coaches celebrate Box Elder High School’s overtime victory against Viewmont in September.
Thrilling finishes marked 2018 season
November 7, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
In a year full of overtime games and last-second heroics, 2018 will surely be remembered as a season of highs and lows for the Box Elder High School football team.
The team kept fans—and coaching staff—on the edge of their seats as they finished an impressive 4-0 in games decided in the final minute, including pulling off three overtime wins on their way to a share of their first region championship since 2004.
When asked about the season, Bees head coach Robbie Gunter said, “I feel like this was a group of kids that competed hard and stayed together. They had every bit of confidence right until the game was over that they could win, and they just did a great job all year.”
This season also served as a turnaround from last year’s campaign, which saw the Bees finish 4-6 overall, including 0-4 in region play.
“I feel like, coming in, the kids worked really hard in the summer,” Gunter said. “Plus, a lot of these kids played last year, and I think because of the year we had last year, these kids pushed a little harder. They also did a great job with leadership. All the kids that came back from last year came back with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder like they wanted to be better.”
Coach Gunter also attributed that chip to a lot of the late-game success the team had this season. “That chip gives you that little extra at the end of a game, and they did a great job with that this year. There was a point when we were 6-1 and we were about eight plays away from being more like 2-5. Every game is a game of inches, and we got the inches we needed, for the most part.”
The Bees started off the season notching wins over Layton and rival Bear River to reclaim the coveted Golden Spike trophy before getting tripped up by Mountain Crest in a game held at E.L. Romney stadium on the campus of Utah State University.
The Bees then started a run of exciting games with a dramatic, last-second win over Green Canyon in their final preseason game, followed by two straight overtime victories against Bountiful and Viewmont to start region play.
Several players cited the win over the Vikings during the homecoming game as their highlight of the season and favorite memory they’ll take with them going forward.
Three-year starter Ethyn Butler said, “From this year, it was definitely the triple overtime win for homecoming. That was a pretty fun game, so, for me, it would most definitely be that.”
Fellow senior Mike Davis echoed Butler’s feelings about his favorite memory when he said, “Beating Viewmont for homecoming in triple overtime was sick, so that was definitely my favorite.”
The Bees then got a win over first-year school, Farmington, before losing to Roy on the road for their lone region loss on the year.
The team then secured a share of the region championship with their third overtime win, this one coming over Woods Cross.
With so many come-from-behind and last-second victories under their belt this season, everyone on the team was shocked when they had a chance to win their first playoff game, but were unable to finish the job as the Bees were bounced in the first round, 17-13, by Springville.
Looking ahead to next season, the Bees have a lot of reason for excitement with several key players returning, including sophomore quarterback Parker Buchanan.
Of the underclassmen, coach Gunter said, “The example of hardwork and leadership that these seniors set is what we need the younger guys to take into next year. We need them to set the example of being good students, be great in their other sports, and then come summertime, we need them to be the leaders of the work. We have a great group coming back that is capable of some great things, but it’s the effort that they’ll have to put in that will make all the difference.”
Thrilling finishes marked 2018 season
November 7, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
In a year full of overtime games and last-second heroics, 2018 will surely be remembered as a season of highs and lows for the Box Elder High School football team.
The team kept fans—and coaching staff—on the edge of their seats as they finished an impressive 4-0 in games decided in the final minute, including pulling off three overtime wins on their way to a share of their first region championship since 2004.
When asked about the season, Bees head coach Robbie Gunter said, “I feel like this was a group of kids that competed hard and stayed together. They had every bit of confidence right until the game was over that they could win, and they just did a great job all year.”
This season also served as a turnaround from last year’s campaign, which saw the Bees finish 4-6 overall, including 0-4 in region play.
“I feel like, coming in, the kids worked really hard in the summer,” Gunter said. “Plus, a lot of these kids played last year, and I think because of the year we had last year, these kids pushed a little harder. They also did a great job with leadership. All the kids that came back from last year came back with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder like they wanted to be better.”
Coach Gunter also attributed that chip to a lot of the late-game success the team had this season. “That chip gives you that little extra at the end of a game, and they did a great job with that this year. There was a point when we were 6-1 and we were about eight plays away from being more like 2-5. Every game is a game of inches, and we got the inches we needed, for the most part.”
The Bees started off the season notching wins over Layton and rival Bear River to reclaim the coveted Golden Spike trophy before getting tripped up by Mountain Crest in a game held at E.L. Romney stadium on the campus of Utah State University.
The Bees then started a run of exciting games with a dramatic, last-second win over Green Canyon in their final preseason game, followed by two straight overtime victories against Bountiful and Viewmont to start region play.
Several players cited the win over the Vikings during the homecoming game as their highlight of the season and favorite memory they’ll take with them going forward.
Three-year starter Ethyn Butler said, “From this year, it was definitely the triple overtime win for homecoming. That was a pretty fun game, so, for me, it would most definitely be that.”
Fellow senior Mike Davis echoed Butler’s feelings about his favorite memory when he said, “Beating Viewmont for homecoming in triple overtime was sick, so that was definitely my favorite.”
The Bees then got a win over first-year school, Farmington, before losing to Roy on the road for their lone region loss on the year.
The team then secured a share of the region championship with their third overtime win, this one coming over Woods Cross.
With so many come-from-behind and last-second victories under their belt this season, everyone on the team was shocked when they had a chance to win their first playoff game, but were unable to finish the job as the Bees were bounced in the first round, 17-13, by Springville.
Looking ahead to next season, the Bees have a lot of reason for excitement with several key players returning, including sophomore quarterback Parker Buchanan.
Of the underclassmen, coach Gunter said, “The example of hardwork and leadership that these seniors set is what we need the younger guys to take into next year. We need them to set the example of being good students, be great in their other sports, and then come summertime, we need them to be the leaders of the work. We have a great group coming back that is capable of some great things, but it’s the effort that they’ll have to put in that will make all the difference.”
Girls claim elusive title
Bees post perfect region record, set to defend state title this week
October 31, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School volleyball team capped a perfect run through region play last Thursday with yet another straight-set win, this time over Roy.
The match against the Royals served mostly as a victory lap for the Bees as they had wrapped up the region title with their win over Bountiful last week, however, the team wanted to leave their mark and legacy by running the table in region.
With emotions running high during their final home game of the year, the Bees seemed to make more errors than they were accustomed to and let the visitors hang around in the match.
But, each time the Royals tried to make a run, the Bees had an answer as they cruised to a 25-15, 25-13, 25-14 win.
Statistically, the Bees showed a lot more firepower than the Royals. Box Elder racked up 40 kills on the night as a team while limiting the visitors to just 17.
Senior middle blocker Jaida Burt led the offensive charge with 13 kills in the match.
Burt and fellow senior Emily Isaacson also led the Bees defensively with 13 and 14 digs respectively.
Following the match, Bees’ head coach Kristine Harding said it has taken a lot of focus and dedication over a long time to get the team to this point.
“It’s always a huge accomplishment to win region,” Harding said. “It hasn’t happened for us since 2011, and even then, it was co-champions. So to outright win it, it takes a lot of mental strength and consistent play throughout the season to come out 10-0. It’s a huge accomplishment for the girls and it’s always great for the program as well.”
The Bees didn’t simply just manage a perfect region record, they dominated the competition, and in 10 matches only lost three sets.
Tomorrow afternoon, the Bees will begin their state title defense when they square off against Wasatch in the first round of the state tournament.
The Wasps enter the tournament as the fourth seed from Region 8 and are winners of three out of their last four matches.
Meanwhile, the Bees, who started the season as the number one ranked team in 5A after winning the state tournament last year, have maintained that position throughout the season as they finished 22-4 overall.
When asked about any additional pressure of being the top team, coach Harding said, “One of the biggest strengths of our team is, we are tunnel-vision. The only thing that matters is the first match, 3:30 on Thursday. That’s it. And when that match is over, we’ll start thinking about match number two. We’ll prepare our girls for multiple teams and multiple looks, but we’re not talking about anything other than match one and getting to match two.”
A win in their first match would set the Bees up with a quarterfinal matchup with the winner between Skyline and Timpview tomorrow at 6:30 p.m., while a loss would send them to the consolation bracket to face the loser.
Two wins on Thursday would see the Bees through to the semifinals, which will be held on Saturday morning starting at 11:30. A loss in either of their first two matches tomorrow would mean the Bees will play Friday as well.
Check back next week for full coverage and results from the 2018 5A state volleyball tournament.
October 31, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School volleyball team capped a perfect run through region play last Thursday with yet another straight-set win, this time over Roy.
The match against the Royals served mostly as a victory lap for the Bees as they had wrapped up the region title with their win over Bountiful last week, however, the team wanted to leave their mark and legacy by running the table in region.
With emotions running high during their final home game of the year, the Bees seemed to make more errors than they were accustomed to and let the visitors hang around in the match.
But, each time the Royals tried to make a run, the Bees had an answer as they cruised to a 25-15, 25-13, 25-14 win.
Statistically, the Bees showed a lot more firepower than the Royals. Box Elder racked up 40 kills on the night as a team while limiting the visitors to just 17.
Senior middle blocker Jaida Burt led the offensive charge with 13 kills in the match.
Burt and fellow senior Emily Isaacson also led the Bees defensively with 13 and 14 digs respectively.
Following the match, Bees’ head coach Kristine Harding said it has taken a lot of focus and dedication over a long time to get the team to this point.
“It’s always a huge accomplishment to win region,” Harding said. “It hasn’t happened for us since 2011, and even then, it was co-champions. So to outright win it, it takes a lot of mental strength and consistent play throughout the season to come out 10-0. It’s a huge accomplishment for the girls and it’s always great for the program as well.”
The Bees didn’t simply just manage a perfect region record, they dominated the competition, and in 10 matches only lost three sets.
Tomorrow afternoon, the Bees will begin their state title defense when they square off against Wasatch in the first round of the state tournament.
The Wasps enter the tournament as the fourth seed from Region 8 and are winners of three out of their last four matches.
Meanwhile, the Bees, who started the season as the number one ranked team in 5A after winning the state tournament last year, have maintained that position throughout the season as they finished 22-4 overall.
When asked about any additional pressure of being the top team, coach Harding said, “One of the biggest strengths of our team is, we are tunnel-vision. The only thing that matters is the first match, 3:30 on Thursday. That’s it. And when that match is over, we’ll start thinking about match number two. We’ll prepare our girls for multiple teams and multiple looks, but we’re not talking about anything other than match one and getting to match two.”
A win in their first match would set the Bees up with a quarterfinal matchup with the winner between Skyline and Timpview tomorrow at 6:30 p.m., while a loss would send them to the consolation bracket to face the loser.
Two wins on Thursday would see the Bees through to the semifinals, which will be held on Saturday morning starting at 11:30. A loss in either of their first two matches tomorrow would mean the Bees will play Friday as well.
Check back next week for full coverage and results from the 2018 5A state volleyball tournament.
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Fumble in final minutes is killer for Bees
October 31, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer After a season full of them, the Box Elder High School football team couldn’t come up with another final-minute miracle last Friday in their first-round playoff game against Springville as the Red Devils advanced with a 17-13 win. The Bees were managing a promising drive in the final minutes of the game that became even more promising after converting a fourth down to set themselves up on Springville’s 15-yard line with just over two minutes to play. But a missed exchange between quarterback Parker Buchanan and running back Bernard Pena resulted in a fumble, which the Red Devils recovered to preserve the win. After the game, Bees’ head coach Robbie Gunter said that, despite some mistakes, the team executed their game plan and gave themselves a chance to win, which is exactly what they wanted. “We had a game plan to control the ball tonight,” Gunter said. “We knew [the Red Devils] were a power team, and we did a good job stopping the run. We wanted to keep them off the field and we were able to do that.” Even heading into the final minutes trailing by a score, coach Gunter said his team never lost any faith on the sideline. He said, “We always felt like we were going to win that game. Late-game heroics are very common for this team and that’s something that has been a lot of fun about this season. We’ve been on the other side of close games a lot, so this one definitely hurts.” The Bees finished with a big advantage in time of possession, 35:07 - 12:40, and number of offensive plays run, 72 - 32, but were unable to muster enough scoring drives to advance in the tournament. |
Senior Ryan Gunn reacts to the Bees’ defeat at the hands of Springville in the first round of the state playoffs last Friday, as junior Bentley Miles consoles senior Kash Christoffersen as they leave the field.
Tyson Madson stretches the ball forward as he’s pushed out of bounds to secure the first down and keep the Bees’ final drive alive. Madson had four receptions for 52 yards.
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The need for speed
At 36 feet long, three feet wide, 28 inches tall and weighing in at 4,900 pounds, the Turbinator II smashed its own world record this month.
New record in land speed racing set by Vesco family
Rick Vesco
By Nancy Brown · Staff writer · Oct. 24, 2108
Even when many in the auto racing industry said it couldn’t be done, former Brighamite Rick Vesco’s race car was clocked on the Bonneville Salt Flats Oct. 2, at 503 mph.
Christened the Turbinator II, Vesco’s streamliner car crossed the finish with the fastest time ever recorded for a wheel-driven car, breaking the 500-mph barrier in land speed racing.
Never before has a car with an internal combustion engine and pneumatic tires hit such a speed, but undoubtedly, the 5,000-horse power gas turbine engine had something to do with it.
Vesco, who formerly owned and operated a motorcycle and snowmobile sports center for 30 years in Brigham City with his brother, Chuck, now lives in St. George.
“I’d been creeping up on 500 in other races,” he said in an interview. “People from all over the world were just going crazy over it. It’s a huge deal in the racing world; a major, major accomplishment.”
Rick Vesco hit 455 mph in August during the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association Speed Week, then 482 mph in September at the World of Speed event, followed by 503 mph on Oct. 2, at the World Finals Speed event.
The record was hit during a qualifying run, with the final race scheduled for the next day, Vesco said. Unfortunately, rain cancelled the final run. Normally, an average of the two races would be taken.
So, while the 503 mph is not considered an official record for the event, it is still the fastest speed ever recorded in the world.
Land speed racing uses a track five miles long from the starting line to the last timing light. The first four miles of the record-setting race lasted 65 seconds, with the last mile completed in seven seconds.
“That translates into 727 feet per second or two and a half football fields per second,” said Vesco.
Streamliners have a very low center of gravity. They are 36 feet long, three feet wide, 28 inches tall and weigh 4,900 pounds.
Every part on a streamliner has to be completely custom made, like the customization of a turbine engine from a Chinook helicopter in the Turbinator II.
“The low center of gravity helps with stability,” Vesco said. “When you’re close to the ground like that there’s less chance of tipping over.
“On the Salt Flats, there’s nothing to hit. One guy crashed at 450 miles per hour and didn’t get hurt at all. It’s always dangerous to be going at those speeds but even if the car goes upside down and the parachute is out, you’re going to be okay.”
Winning driver, Dave Spangler, who has driven race cars for Vesco since the late 1970s, said it was an honor to drive Turbinator II and set a new world record in October.
He said he and Vesco have been pushing their “Project first to 500” since Vesco’s brother, Don, first set the world record at 458 mph in 2001. “That’s when we decided to set the goal of 500.”
There is no speedometer in the vehicle so Spangler said he didn’t know for sure if he’d passed 500 mph until the crew signaled him.
“I’ve done it enough to know it was fast,” he said. “I set a record at all three meets this year so I knew it was a pretty good run.”
Was it scary?
Spangler said he gets asked that question a lot and that his answer is probably anti-climactic.
“I’m concentrating so hard that I don’t have any feelings of an adrenalin rush,” he said. “I’m all business in there and super concentrating so as to stay ahead of the car.”
He said at those speeds you need to make micro adjustments in your steering. If the car starts moving around too much requiring macro adjustments then you’re going to be in trouble.
Vesco added, “It’s your brain that tells you when things are scarier than they really are,” he said. “The car is designed to go fast so you just don’t feel it like you’d think. When you start coasting down to 100 miles per hour, it doesn’t even feel like you’re moving.”
The family has only had one major accident in a streamliner. In 1981, Vesco blew a rear tire while racing at Bonneville and flipped over. He whizzed past the finish at about 300 mph upside down but thanks to seatbelts and leg and arm restraints, he wasn’t hurt.
Vesco was born into an auto racing family with his dad, Johnny Vesco, competing in the first Utah Salt Flats Racing Association race in 1949. But Johnny’s passion for the sport began in the early 1930s in Southern California.
Rick’s brother Don, “is the only human in history to hold the world speed record in both a car and a motorcycle.” Rick’s daughter, Rhonnie Vesco, a Box Elder High School graduate, also has taken up the sport, hitting a 310-mph record of her own.
At only six years old, Rhonnie can be heard in a family recording stating her intentions to be a race car driver, said her father.
There is no prize money awarded in land speed racing, “just trophies and bragging rights and a chance to have fun with our crew of about 20 people,” said Vesco. “We have a great time together out there.”
With a cache of trophies in his possession, Vesco said the “holy grail” of trophies is the Hot Rod Magazine Trophy. “I won it three times in a turbine car and once in 1978, on a motorcycle going 330 miles per hour.”
He said that particular trophy is given to the fastest timed mile on any vehicle during the Speed Week competition. “That year, a motorcycle just happened to beat the cars.”
The Turbinator II streamliner was featured on the History Channel’s program, “Counting Cars.” Filming began at the Team Vesco shop in February and was aired in October 2017, in a two-part episode, “Bonneville Bound.”
Even when many in the auto racing industry said it couldn’t be done, former Brighamite Rick Vesco’s race car was clocked on the Bonneville Salt Flats Oct. 2, at 503 mph.
Christened the Turbinator II, Vesco’s streamliner car crossed the finish with the fastest time ever recorded for a wheel-driven car, breaking the 500-mph barrier in land speed racing.
Never before has a car with an internal combustion engine and pneumatic tires hit such a speed, but undoubtedly, the 5,000-horse power gas turbine engine had something to do with it.
Vesco, who formerly owned and operated a motorcycle and snowmobile sports center for 30 years in Brigham City with his brother, Chuck, now lives in St. George.
“I’d been creeping up on 500 in other races,” he said in an interview. “People from all over the world were just going crazy over it. It’s a huge deal in the racing world; a major, major accomplishment.”
Rick Vesco hit 455 mph in August during the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association Speed Week, then 482 mph in September at the World of Speed event, followed by 503 mph on Oct. 2, at the World Finals Speed event.
The record was hit during a qualifying run, with the final race scheduled for the next day, Vesco said. Unfortunately, rain cancelled the final run. Normally, an average of the two races would be taken.
So, while the 503 mph is not considered an official record for the event, it is still the fastest speed ever recorded in the world.
Land speed racing uses a track five miles long from the starting line to the last timing light. The first four miles of the record-setting race lasted 65 seconds, with the last mile completed in seven seconds.
“That translates into 727 feet per second or two and a half football fields per second,” said Vesco.
Streamliners have a very low center of gravity. They are 36 feet long, three feet wide, 28 inches tall and weigh 4,900 pounds.
Every part on a streamliner has to be completely custom made, like the customization of a turbine engine from a Chinook helicopter in the Turbinator II.
“The low center of gravity helps with stability,” Vesco said. “When you’re close to the ground like that there’s less chance of tipping over.
“On the Salt Flats, there’s nothing to hit. One guy crashed at 450 miles per hour and didn’t get hurt at all. It’s always dangerous to be going at those speeds but even if the car goes upside down and the parachute is out, you’re going to be okay.”
Winning driver, Dave Spangler, who has driven race cars for Vesco since the late 1970s, said it was an honor to drive Turbinator II and set a new world record in October.
He said he and Vesco have been pushing their “Project first to 500” since Vesco’s brother, Don, first set the world record at 458 mph in 2001. “That’s when we decided to set the goal of 500.”
There is no speedometer in the vehicle so Spangler said he didn’t know for sure if he’d passed 500 mph until the crew signaled him.
“I’ve done it enough to know it was fast,” he said. “I set a record at all three meets this year so I knew it was a pretty good run.”
Was it scary?
Spangler said he gets asked that question a lot and that his answer is probably anti-climactic.
“I’m concentrating so hard that I don’t have any feelings of an adrenalin rush,” he said. “I’m all business in there and super concentrating so as to stay ahead of the car.”
He said at those speeds you need to make micro adjustments in your steering. If the car starts moving around too much requiring macro adjustments then you’re going to be in trouble.
Vesco added, “It’s your brain that tells you when things are scarier than they really are,” he said. “The car is designed to go fast so you just don’t feel it like you’d think. When you start coasting down to 100 miles per hour, it doesn’t even feel like you’re moving.”
The family has only had one major accident in a streamliner. In 1981, Vesco blew a rear tire while racing at Bonneville and flipped over. He whizzed past the finish at about 300 mph upside down but thanks to seatbelts and leg and arm restraints, he wasn’t hurt.
Vesco was born into an auto racing family with his dad, Johnny Vesco, competing in the first Utah Salt Flats Racing Association race in 1949. But Johnny’s passion for the sport began in the early 1930s in Southern California.
Rick’s brother Don, “is the only human in history to hold the world speed record in both a car and a motorcycle.” Rick’s daughter, Rhonnie Vesco, a Box Elder High School graduate, also has taken up the sport, hitting a 310-mph record of her own.
At only six years old, Rhonnie can be heard in a family recording stating her intentions to be a race car driver, said her father.
There is no prize money awarded in land speed racing, “just trophies and bragging rights and a chance to have fun with our crew of about 20 people,” said Vesco. “We have a great time together out there.”
With a cache of trophies in his possession, Vesco said the “holy grail” of trophies is the Hot Rod Magazine Trophy. “I won it three times in a turbine car and once in 1978, on a motorcycle going 330 miles per hour.”
He said that particular trophy is given to the fastest timed mile on any vehicle during the Speed Week competition. “That year, a motorcycle just happened to beat the cars.”
The Turbinator II streamliner was featured on the History Channel’s program, “Counting Cars.” Filming began at the Team Vesco shop in February and was aired in October 2017, in a two-part episode, “Bonneville Bound.”
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Bees survive Wildcats, claim share of region title
October 17, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
A key penalty, some late game heroics by Box Elder quarterback Parker Buchanan, and a missed extra point by the Woods Cross’ place kicker, combined to help propel the Bees past the Wildcats, 35-34, and claim a share of the Region 5 championship.
With 8:34 left in the game, and with the game tied, Box Elder was looking at punting the ball away, and potentially going down another score. But a Woods Cross roughing the kicker penalty kept the drive alive.
But the Bees’ starting quarterback, Parker Buchannan had been on the sidelines since suffering an ankle injury on a fake punt earlier in the game. After converting one first down, the Bees’ running game stagnated, and they faced a 4th-and-6 from the Woods Cross’ 28-yard line.
Still not at 100 percent, Buchanan came off the sidelines and promptly hit Tyson Madson with a pass for a first down. Two plays later, Buchanan found Connor Stevenson from 17 yards out for a touchdown, and to take the lead, 35-28.
On the ensuing drive, Wildcat quarterback Carston Naegle found Jordan Johnson for a two-yard touchdown to pull the visitors within a point with just 25 seconds left in regulation.
But the Wildcats were unable to convert the extra point, and all the Bees needed was to kneel down once before celebrating their first region championship since 2004, when they shared the title with Mountain Crest.
After the game, Bees head coach Robbie Gunter gave a lot of credit to the Wildcats, especially their offense, for making it such a tight contest.
“[The Wildcats] had some guys get hurt a few weeks ago and they had everybody back healthy tonight,” Gunter said. “They are a really explosive team and we knew we’d have our hands full with them.”
In a game of contrasting styles, coach Gunter went on to say, “I felt like from our end, our O-line did a great job creating holes for our backs and we had good balance with all the position groups touching the ball. I loved how our kids kept competing and they never got rattled on the sideline. We thought the game was headed to overtime, but our kids were ready for that because we’ve been there before.”
The win moves the Bees to 4-0 this season in games decided in the final minute or overtime, so they had a lot of past experience from which to draw.
The Bees knew coming into the game that the Wildcats would look to throw the ball in most any situation that presented itself and Woods Cross did not deviate from their plan.
Naegle found wide receiver Luke Hyde from 10 yards out on their first drive to open the scoring in the game.
Not to be deterred from their game plan, the Bees came out wanting to establish a physical presence and run the ball.
Buchanan capped the Bees’ opening drive with an eight yard run for a touchdown to tie the score.
Running back Bernard Pena gave the Bees their first lead early in the second quarter when he plowed in from a yard out.
Woods Cross was able to tie things up again just before the half when Naegle found Tucker Goodfellow for an 18 yard score.
But it was the Bees who would have the final say in the first half as senior speedster Nate Wheatley found a crease on the ensuing kickoff and took it 85 yards to the house to put the Bees up 21-14.
The Wildcats tried to seize the momentum before the break, but their drive was squashed when Box Elder defensive back Kash Cristoffersen stepped in front of a pass from Naegle to end the drive and preserve the lead.
The Bees got the ball to start the second half and made the most of that chance with Pena finishing the drive from four yards out to put the home team up two scores, 28-14
Pena finished the night with 53 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns.
The Wildcats were threatening again on their next possession, but the defensive secondary again came up big for the Bees as Skyler Laurenti came up with an interception in the end zone to keep the Wildcats off the board.
But the momentum shifted right back to the Wildcats as a fumble by Pena set up the Wildcats with excellent field position.
They capitalized on the next play as Naegle connected with Johnson from 19 yards out to cut the lead to 28-20. The extra point was no good—foreshadowing how the game would ultimately be decided.
Following a failed fourth down try from the Bees, the Wildcats were able to tie the game as Naegle again found Hyde, this time from 24 yards out, for the score. Naegle then hit Goodfellow in the corner of the end zone on the two-point try to knot the game at 28 all.
Stevenson lead all Bees receivers with four catches for 72 yards and one touchdown. Buchanan completed 7-of-13 passing attempts for 90 yards and the one score.
The win put the Bees in a three-way tie for first place in Region 5 as Roy took down Farmington, 52-21, and Viewmont blanked Bountiful, 35-0, to land all three teams at 4-1.
A coin toss decided the final standings. The Royals landed in the top spot, with the Bees second and Vikings third.
The Bees will host their first state playoff game against the No. 3 seed from Region 8. The Utah County-based teams look to be headed to a play-in game coming down the stretch, so the Bees may not find out who their opponent is until early next week.
The state playoff game is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 26, at 4 p.m., but could get pushed to Saturday if a play-in game ends up being necessary.
As for this week, the Bees scheduled a tune-up game during their short week and will be in action tonight in Washington Terrace against Bonneville. The game against the Lakers is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
A key penalty, some late game heroics by Box Elder quarterback Parker Buchanan, and a missed extra point by the Woods Cross’ place kicker, combined to help propel the Bees past the Wildcats, 35-34, and claim a share of the Region 5 championship.
With 8:34 left in the game, and with the game tied, Box Elder was looking at punting the ball away, and potentially going down another score. But a Woods Cross roughing the kicker penalty kept the drive alive.
But the Bees’ starting quarterback, Parker Buchannan had been on the sidelines since suffering an ankle injury on a fake punt earlier in the game. After converting one first down, the Bees’ running game stagnated, and they faced a 4th-and-6 from the Woods Cross’ 28-yard line.
Still not at 100 percent, Buchanan came off the sidelines and promptly hit Tyson Madson with a pass for a first down. Two plays later, Buchanan found Connor Stevenson from 17 yards out for a touchdown, and to take the lead, 35-28.
On the ensuing drive, Wildcat quarterback Carston Naegle found Jordan Johnson for a two-yard touchdown to pull the visitors within a point with just 25 seconds left in regulation.
But the Wildcats were unable to convert the extra point, and all the Bees needed was to kneel down once before celebrating their first region championship since 2004, when they shared the title with Mountain Crest.
After the game, Bees head coach Robbie Gunter gave a lot of credit to the Wildcats, especially their offense, for making it such a tight contest.
“[The Wildcats] had some guys get hurt a few weeks ago and they had everybody back healthy tonight,” Gunter said. “They are a really explosive team and we knew we’d have our hands full with them.”
In a game of contrasting styles, coach Gunter went on to say, “I felt like from our end, our O-line did a great job creating holes for our backs and we had good balance with all the position groups touching the ball. I loved how our kids kept competing and they never got rattled on the sideline. We thought the game was headed to overtime, but our kids were ready for that because we’ve been there before.”
The win moves the Bees to 4-0 this season in games decided in the final minute or overtime, so they had a lot of past experience from which to draw.
The Bees knew coming into the game that the Wildcats would look to throw the ball in most any situation that presented itself and Woods Cross did not deviate from their plan.
Naegle found wide receiver Luke Hyde from 10 yards out on their first drive to open the scoring in the game.
Not to be deterred from their game plan, the Bees came out wanting to establish a physical presence and run the ball.
Buchanan capped the Bees’ opening drive with an eight yard run for a touchdown to tie the score.
Running back Bernard Pena gave the Bees their first lead early in the second quarter when he plowed in from a yard out.
Woods Cross was able to tie things up again just before the half when Naegle found Tucker Goodfellow for an 18 yard score.
But it was the Bees who would have the final say in the first half as senior speedster Nate Wheatley found a crease on the ensuing kickoff and took it 85 yards to the house to put the Bees up 21-14.
The Wildcats tried to seize the momentum before the break, but their drive was squashed when Box Elder defensive back Kash Cristoffersen stepped in front of a pass from Naegle to end the drive and preserve the lead.
The Bees got the ball to start the second half and made the most of that chance with Pena finishing the drive from four yards out to put the home team up two scores, 28-14
Pena finished the night with 53 yards on 17 carries with two touchdowns.
The Wildcats were threatening again on their next possession, but the defensive secondary again came up big for the Bees as Skyler Laurenti came up with an interception in the end zone to keep the Wildcats off the board.
But the momentum shifted right back to the Wildcats as a fumble by Pena set up the Wildcats with excellent field position.
They capitalized on the next play as Naegle connected with Johnson from 19 yards out to cut the lead to 28-20. The extra point was no good—foreshadowing how the game would ultimately be decided.
Following a failed fourth down try from the Bees, the Wildcats were able to tie the game as Naegle again found Hyde, this time from 24 yards out, for the score. Naegle then hit Goodfellow in the corner of the end zone on the two-point try to knot the game at 28 all.
Stevenson lead all Bees receivers with four catches for 72 yards and one touchdown. Buchanan completed 7-of-13 passing attempts for 90 yards and the one score.
The win put the Bees in a three-way tie for first place in Region 5 as Roy took down Farmington, 52-21, and Viewmont blanked Bountiful, 35-0, to land all three teams at 4-1.
A coin toss decided the final standings. The Royals landed in the top spot, with the Bees second and Vikings third.
The Bees will host their first state playoff game against the No. 3 seed from Region 8. The Utah County-based teams look to be headed to a play-in game coming down the stretch, so the Bees may not find out who their opponent is until early next week.
The state playoff game is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 26, at 4 p.m., but could get pushed to Saturday if a play-in game ends up being necessary.
As for this week, the Bees scheduled a tune-up game during their short week and will be in action tonight in Washington Terrace against Bonneville. The game against the Lakers is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
Bees continue streak, roll over Royals, Vikings
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October 10, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School volleyball team cruised to two easy wins last week, both in straight sets, over Roy and Viewmont to keep their stranglehold on the top spot in Region 5, as well as their number one ranking in 5A by the Deseret News.
With two road matches last week, the Bees were looking to prove their mettle in hostile environments and showed both their physical and mental toughness as they dominated matches on their opponents’ courts.
Against the Royals last Tuesday, the Bees were firing on all cylinders early both offensively and defensively. Roy struggled to score points, let alone make any kind of run against the heavily favored Bees.
In the end, the Box Elder left the Royals no chance to find their first region win of the season as the Bees coasted to wins of 25-10, 25-6, 25-8.
The Bees’ serving was especially tough and kept the Royals guessing all night. The team ended up with 12 aces in the match, lead by Sarah Reeder, who served up four.
Senior outside hitter Emily Isaacson lead all players with 11 kills on the offensive end.
Tiffany Horton helped keep things tough at the net for the Bees and lead the team with four blocks on the night.
On Thursday night, the Bees found a little more resistance when they travelled to Viewmont, but still managed a similar result as the team took the match 25-13, 25-16, 25-15.
The Bees again were able to jump out to early leads in each set and never looked back as they continued their journey to a region championship, which has eluded the team for the past eight years.
Isaacson again lead the way with 10 kills while Annie Mecham came up with four aces from the service line in the win. Reeder lead the Bees frontline blocking effort with six blocks on the night.
The wins keep the Bees a perfect 6-0 in Region 5 with just four matches left in the regular season.
Last night, the Bees were back in action against Farmington (results not available by press time). The Phoenix entered the match with a 2-4 region record and were clinging to the fourth seed in Region 5.
Tomorrow night, the Bees will be at home again to take on Woods Cross. The Bees dealt the Wildcats their first Region 5 loss last month. Since then, the Wildcats also fell to Bountiful in five sets to sit at 4-2.
The game against the Wildcats is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
The Box Elder High School volleyball team cruised to two easy wins last week, both in straight sets, over Roy and Viewmont to keep their stranglehold on the top spot in Region 5, as well as their number one ranking in 5A by the Deseret News.
With two road matches last week, the Bees were looking to prove their mettle in hostile environments and showed both their physical and mental toughness as they dominated matches on their opponents’ courts.
Against the Royals last Tuesday, the Bees were firing on all cylinders early both offensively and defensively. Roy struggled to score points, let alone make any kind of run against the heavily favored Bees.
In the end, the Box Elder left the Royals no chance to find their first region win of the season as the Bees coasted to wins of 25-10, 25-6, 25-8.
The Bees’ serving was especially tough and kept the Royals guessing all night. The team ended up with 12 aces in the match, lead by Sarah Reeder, who served up four.
Senior outside hitter Emily Isaacson lead all players with 11 kills on the offensive end.
Tiffany Horton helped keep things tough at the net for the Bees and lead the team with four blocks on the night.
On Thursday night, the Bees found a little more resistance when they travelled to Viewmont, but still managed a similar result as the team took the match 25-13, 25-16, 25-15.
The Bees again were able to jump out to early leads in each set and never looked back as they continued their journey to a region championship, which has eluded the team for the past eight years.
Isaacson again lead the way with 10 kills while Annie Mecham came up with four aces from the service line in the win. Reeder lead the Bees frontline blocking effort with six blocks on the night.
The wins keep the Bees a perfect 6-0 in Region 5 with just four matches left in the regular season.
Last night, the Bees were back in action against Farmington (results not available by press time). The Phoenix entered the match with a 2-4 region record and were clinging to the fourth seed in Region 5.
Tomorrow night, the Bees will be at home again to take on Woods Cross. The Bees dealt the Wildcats their first Region 5 loss last month. Since then, the Wildcats also fell to Bountiful in five sets to sit at 4-2.
The game against the Wildcats is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
Girls get third seed into state tourney
Grace Oki (left) and Molly Robb (right), who returned to the pitch after suffering a broken collar bone earlier this season, celebrate after Robb scored a first half goal en route to a 2-1 win over Roy last week. In a game that was fairly even and saw both teams making forays into their attacking zone and generating opportunities, Robb made the most of a shot from a difficult angle on the wing, curling the ball perfectly just inside the far post. Oki scored the Bees’ second goal of the game, in the second half, to secure the win. Box Elder finished the season tied with Roy for second place in the region, both with 18 points, but the Bees had to settle for the third seed in the state tournament. The Bees faced Skyridge, the No. 2 seed from Region 8, in the first round of the tournament on Tuesday (results not available by press time).Girls get third seed into state tourney
Bees remain undefeated in region, maintain top 5A ranking
Sophomore Gracie Gunderson (#33) and senior Jaida Burt put up a block in the Bees’ game against Bountiful last week. Gunderson, who stepped in for an injured Bekah Bennett, led the Bees with six blocks in the game. Burt helped the Bees earlier in the week with nine kills in a win over Woods Cross.
October 3, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School volleyball team sent a loud and clear message last week that they are the team to beat in Region 5, and solidified their number one ranking in 5A when they took down Woods Cross in four games last Tuesday, Sept. 25, before sweeping Bountiful on Thursday.
Bees’ head coach Kristine Harding attributed their success to plenty of experience in facing adversity.
“Our girls have a lot of past experiences on the court and that helped a lot this week. We’re in constant conversation to tell the girls to play solid, not to drop down our momentum and not to drop down our energy,” Harding said.
On Tuesday night, the Bees were looking for revenge against the Wildcats, who handed the Bees a loss at the Rocky Mountain Champions Classic a few weeks ago.
That energy might have worked against the Bees in the opening minutes of the first game as the Wildcats jumped to an early lead that they turned into a win, 25-20.
After the match, coach Harding said that the girls were a little stiff and too focused to play really well in the beginning.
“[The Wildcats] are a tough battle because they beat us at the tournament,” Harding said. “If you look at the mental game of it, they got us before. So, on our part, in game one, we made a lot of errors. We hit a lot of balls out of bounds and that was emotionally kind of a downer.”
Harding said that her team started to turn things around in the first game, and even though it was too late to steal a win, that momentum carried through the remaining games on their way to the win.
“Our girls regrouped quickly. Halfway through game one, we closed the gap and just ran out of time,” Harding said. “Then we came out solid in the second game and were solid the rest of the way.”
The Bees were very solid in taking the next three games, and handed the Wildcats their first region loss of the season, 25-13, 25-15, 25-12.
Senior outside hitter Emily Isaacson lead the way with 15 kills on the night while fellow senior middle blocker Jaida Burt chipped in nine.
Sarah Reeder and Tiffany Hortin plugged up the middle for the Bees defensively and each recorded five blocks in the win.
On Thursday, the Bees had their first rematch with the Braves since winning a five-set thriller last November for the 5A state championship.
This time around, the Bees took the drama out of the game early as they built big leads in each game, with the Braves unable to come up with an answer.
Isaacson again lead the offensive attack with 14 kills on the night and Annie Mecham added eight in the win.
Six-foot tall sophomore, Gracie Gunderson, stepped in for an injured Bekah Bennett, who was out with a concussion, and lead the team with six blocks on the night to keep the Braves frustrated at the net.
In the end, the Bees simply overwhelmed their guests and took the match 25-17, 25-14, 25-12.
The wins move the Bees to 4-0 in region play and 14-2 overall on the season.
Yesterday, the Bees headed south to take on Roy, who entered the match at the bottom of the region at 0-3 (results not available by press time).
Tomorrow, the Bees will be on the road again to take on Viewmont. The match against the Vikings is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
October 3, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School volleyball team sent a loud and clear message last week that they are the team to beat in Region 5, and solidified their number one ranking in 5A when they took down Woods Cross in four games last Tuesday, Sept. 25, before sweeping Bountiful on Thursday.
Bees’ head coach Kristine Harding attributed their success to plenty of experience in facing adversity.
“Our girls have a lot of past experiences on the court and that helped a lot this week. We’re in constant conversation to tell the girls to play solid, not to drop down our momentum and not to drop down our energy,” Harding said.
On Tuesday night, the Bees were looking for revenge against the Wildcats, who handed the Bees a loss at the Rocky Mountain Champions Classic a few weeks ago.
That energy might have worked against the Bees in the opening minutes of the first game as the Wildcats jumped to an early lead that they turned into a win, 25-20.
After the match, coach Harding said that the girls were a little stiff and too focused to play really well in the beginning.
“[The Wildcats] are a tough battle because they beat us at the tournament,” Harding said. “If you look at the mental game of it, they got us before. So, on our part, in game one, we made a lot of errors. We hit a lot of balls out of bounds and that was emotionally kind of a downer.”
Harding said that her team started to turn things around in the first game, and even though it was too late to steal a win, that momentum carried through the remaining games on their way to the win.
“Our girls regrouped quickly. Halfway through game one, we closed the gap and just ran out of time,” Harding said. “Then we came out solid in the second game and were solid the rest of the way.”
The Bees were very solid in taking the next three games, and handed the Wildcats their first region loss of the season, 25-13, 25-15, 25-12.
Senior outside hitter Emily Isaacson lead the way with 15 kills on the night while fellow senior middle blocker Jaida Burt chipped in nine.
Sarah Reeder and Tiffany Hortin plugged up the middle for the Bees defensively and each recorded five blocks in the win.
On Thursday, the Bees had their first rematch with the Braves since winning a five-set thriller last November for the 5A state championship.
This time around, the Bees took the drama out of the game early as they built big leads in each game, with the Braves unable to come up with an answer.
Isaacson again lead the offensive attack with 14 kills on the night and Annie Mecham added eight in the win.
Six-foot tall sophomore, Gracie Gunderson, stepped in for an injured Bekah Bennett, who was out with a concussion, and lead the team with six blocks on the night to keep the Braves frustrated at the net.
In the end, the Bees simply overwhelmed their guests and took the match 25-17, 25-14, 25-12.
The wins move the Bees to 4-0 in region play and 14-2 overall on the season.
Yesterday, the Bees headed south to take on Roy, who entered the match at the bottom of the region at 0-3 (results not available by press time).
Tomorrow, the Bees will be on the road again to take on Viewmont. The match against the Vikings is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.
Bees extend win streak to four, take possession of top spot in Region 5
Connor Stevenson advances the ball after pulling in one of his two receptions against Farmington. Stevenson had the most explosive play of the game for the Bees when he ran 32 yards on the first offensive play to help set up the Bees’ first touchdown.
October 3, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School football team ran their current winning streak to four straight games last Friday night on the road as they bested Farmington, 17-7.
After three consecutive weeks of last-minute heroics, including two overtime thrillers, the Bees were able to take care of business in regulation against the Phoenix behind two rushing touchdowns by Bernard Pena and a big effort on the defensive side of the ball.
Box Elder head coach Robbie Gunter called the game, “a tough situation” as the Phoenix came into the game on an emotional high and with renewed confidence after earning their first win of the season, against Woods Cross, the week before.
“On film, [the Phoenix] looked like a good team and then, in person, we saw that they are good team,” Gunter said. “We definitely made some mistakes that we want to clean up, but our guys played hard as well. Every region win is a big win, so we’re happy with this one.”
The most glaring mistakes from the Bees were 10 penalties for 95 yards and three turnovers that kept the Phoenix in the game.
The Bees’ defense negated much of that damage with four takeaways and several big stops that kept the Phoenix chasing for much of the game.
Box Elder’s defense set the tempo early on when junior defensive back Bentley Miles came up with his first interception of the season to squash the opening drive of the game.
Five plays later, Pena ran in from 12 yards out for his first score to give the Bees an early advantage.
On the ensuing drive, the Bees looked to have stopped the home team on fourth down, but a roughing the passer penalty kept the drive alive and set up a first and goal. Three plays later, Phoenix quarterback Wyatt Evertsen dove in from a yard out to tie the game.
The Bees started the second quarter the same as the first, with Skyler Laurenti picking off the first pass of the period to keep the game tied.
The Bees had a chance to take the lead heading into the halftime break, but quarterback Parker Buchanan took a hit in the backfield and fumbled the ball with just over a minute remaining in the second quarter. Brayden Wilson jumped on the loose ball for the Phoenix to keep the game tied.
The Bees took the lead on the opening drive of the second half when Keaton Lamb connected on a 35-yard field goal to go up 10-7.
The defensive struggle continued for the remainder of the game until the Bees finally put it away with a two-yard touchdown run by Pena with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter.
Pena finished with another monster stat line with 152 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns.
The win moves the Bees to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in region play while the Phoenix fall to 1-6 and 1-2 in the region.
This Friday night, the Bees will be on the road again to square off against preseason region favorite in Roy. The Royals sit at 2-1 in Region 5 after losing last week to Viewmont.
The game against the Royals is set to kick off at 7 p.m.
October 3, 2018 • Jeremy Jones • Staff Writer
The Box Elder High School football team ran their current winning streak to four straight games last Friday night on the road as they bested Farmington, 17-7.
After three consecutive weeks of last-minute heroics, including two overtime thrillers, the Bees were able to take care of business in regulation against the Phoenix behind two rushing touchdowns by Bernard Pena and a big effort on the defensive side of the ball.
Box Elder head coach Robbie Gunter called the game, “a tough situation” as the Phoenix came into the game on an emotional high and with renewed confidence after earning their first win of the season, against Woods Cross, the week before.
“On film, [the Phoenix] looked like a good team and then, in person, we saw that they are good team,” Gunter said. “We definitely made some mistakes that we want to clean up, but our guys played hard as well. Every region win is a big win, so we’re happy with this one.”
The most glaring mistakes from the Bees were 10 penalties for 95 yards and three turnovers that kept the Phoenix in the game.
The Bees’ defense negated much of that damage with four takeaways and several big stops that kept the Phoenix chasing for much of the game.
Box Elder’s defense set the tempo early on when junior defensive back Bentley Miles came up with his first interception of the season to squash the opening drive of the game.
Five plays later, Pena ran in from 12 yards out for his first score to give the Bees an early advantage.
On the ensuing drive, the Bees looked to have stopped the home team on fourth down, but a roughing the passer penalty kept the drive alive and set up a first and goal. Three plays later, Phoenix quarterback Wyatt Evertsen dove in from a yard out to tie the game.
The Bees started the second quarter the same as the first, with Skyler Laurenti picking off the first pass of the period to keep the game tied.
The Bees had a chance to take the lead heading into the halftime break, but quarterback Parker Buchanan took a hit in the backfield and fumbled the ball with just over a minute remaining in the second quarter. Brayden Wilson jumped on the loose ball for the Phoenix to keep the game tied.
The Bees took the lead on the opening drive of the second half when Keaton Lamb connected on a 35-yard field goal to go up 10-7.
The defensive struggle continued for the remainder of the game until the Bees finally put it away with a two-yard touchdown run by Pena with just over a minute remaining in the fourth quarter.
Pena finished with another monster stat line with 152 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns.
The win moves the Bees to 6-1 overall and 3-0 in region play while the Phoenix fall to 1-6 and 1-2 in the region.
This Friday night, the Bees will be on the road again to square off against preseason region favorite in Roy. The Royals sit at 2-1 in Region 5 after losing last week to Viewmont.
The game against the Royals is set to kick off at 7 p.m.