The Hive Sports

by James Tate

The first week of boys basketball games are in the books, and teams are gearing up for the holiday tournament season. It’s time to look at how teams have fared to start the 2023-2024 season.

Bonneville Lakers (1-1)

Bonneville started their season on a positive note with a 60-35 win over the Park City Miners. In the home victory, the Lakers’ defense held the Miners to 28% shooting and had 14 steals. Senior Nick Sebahar was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points. 

Head coach Kyle Bullinger shared before the season that his team’s strengths would be cohesiveness, defensive ability, and toughness.

Bonneville lost in overtime in their next game to the Skyview Bobcats 71-69 in overtime. Ben Tesch led the Lakers in scoring with 24 points, followed by 19 by Sebahar and Zac Combe.

The Lakers play their next game at home against the Bear River Bears on November 28, 2023.

Bountiful Redhawks (1-0)

The Redhawks won their first game of the season 98-48 over the Summit Academy Bears. After the first quarter, the Redhawks pulled ahead 30-9 and never looked back. With 23 points, Carson Smith was the game’s leading scorer. Bryson Heath scored 21 points for the winning Redhawks.

The Redhawks travel to the East Leopards for their next game on November 28, 2023.

Box Elder Bees (0-1)

Box Elder traveled to the Weber Warriors and lost a tough battle 73-55. Max Isaacson was the leading scorer for the Bees with 23 points. Elijah Kersey scored 18 points in the loss. The fourth quarter was the difference, as the Warriors outscored the Bees 27-18.

The Bees finished second in Region 5 last season and will look to get on the winning track at home against the Sky View Bobcats on November 29, 2023.

Clearfield Falcons (1-0)

The Falcons started the season with an impressive overtime home win over the Mountain Crest Mustangs 70-67. The game was tied at 17 with 5:21 left in the second quarter. The Mustangs went on a 15-4 run to close out the first half and take a 32-21 halftime lead.

The Falcons, led by seniors Peyton Kotter and Trace Hansen, played with renewed energy and enthusiasm throughout the rest of the game. Kotter scored 15 of his game-high 22 points in the second half and overtime. Hansen’s relentless drives to the basket and timely shooting saw him score 18 of his 20 points in that span.

Defensive intensity was vital for the Falcons, as Chase McNeill made scoring inside challenging for the Mustangs. Tayvian Singletary and Davis Woll were critical players in holding Mountain Crest leading scorer Rigdon Anderson to six total points.

After averaging 51 points per game last season, the Falcons knew they needed to add more scoring. Kotter and Hansen are ready to provide that threat. The duo combined to shoot 8-11 on three-point shots in the contest to lead the Falcons.

The Falcons play next against the Morgan Trojans on November 29, 2023.

Northridge Knights (0-2)

Northridge opened their season with a home loss to the Hillcrest Huskies 56-50. Northridge senior Bentley Whitear led all scorers with 20 points in the non-region contest. Senior Joshua Kitchen was the game’s leading rebounder with 11, and junior Cael Lake led with four steals. The third quarter was the difference as the Huskies held the Knights to six points and had a 42-31 lead.

The Knights fell to the Fremont Silverwolves in overtime in their second game of the season, 75-71. Northridge had a 36-27 halftime lead but could not hold off the Silverwolves. Whitear led the Knights in scoring with 26 points. Knights senior Logan Birt was the leading rebounder in the game with nine.

The Knights look to win their first game at home against the Cottonwood Colts on November 28, 2023. 

Roy Royals (1-1)

The Royals opened the season with a 60-57 road victory over the Judge Memorial Catholic Bulldogs. Colby Frokjer led four Royals, scoring in double figures with a game-high 21 points. Bronson Belnap scored 10, Daxton Warren had 11, and Corben Schuffenhauer scored 10. Frokjer also grabbed 11 rebounds and made five three-point baskets.

The four players scoring in double figures show the Royals are willing to play as a team and share the basketball. Before the season, Head Coach Ryan Hannah shared his message and goals for the Royals.

“My first message to the team about their journey is to give their best effort every day,” said Coach Hannah. “I believe these boys have great talent and work ethic. Those two things combined with how they play for each other should allow them to overcome many challenges as a team this year. Team chemistry will be a huge strength for our team this year. Our players play for one another. They are willing to share the basketball and make the right play. They trust one another defensively to be in the right position. We are aiming high with our goals. It has been ten years since Roy basketball’s last region championship, and these boys are determined to end that drought.”

The Royals lost their second-season game at the Murray Spartans 65-50. The Royals placed four players in double figures for the second game. Dahlen Pontius led the way with 12 points, Frokjer and Isaac Burnett were next with 11, and Belnap chipped in ten. Pontius also had a game-leading ten rebounds.

The Royals next play at the Syracuse Titans on November 28. 2023.

photo of Viewmont Vikings Cache Tuia

Viewmont Vikings (0-2)

The Vikings dropped their opening game on the road at the Farmington Phoenix 53-44. They struggled offensively in the first half and were down 21-13. The difference in the game was at the free throw line, as the Phoenix made 25 of 38 free throws. The Vikings only shot eight free throws in the contest. Cache Tuia’s 14 points led the Vikings.

The Vikings traveled to the Layton Lancers in their second road game and fell 80-54. Max Draper led the Vikings in scoring with 18 points and seven rebounds.

After facing two challenging Region 1 opponents on the road, the Vikings return home on December 1, 2023, and play the Summit Academy Bears.

Woods Cross Wildcats (0-1)

The Wildcats fell to the Spanish Fork Dons in their season home opener 46-42. Hunter Jackson led the Wildcats in scoring with 15 points. The Wildcats play their next three games on the road, starting with the Logan Grizzlies on December 1, 2023.

photos courtesy James Tate