The Hive Sports

by James Tate

Region 5 has bright emerging young stars in boys basketball. Four juniors have taken their game to the next level and are essential players to their teams.

The defending Region 5 champion Woods Cross Wildcats lost their top five scorers and this season have turned to Hunter Jackson to provide the scoring punch for the team. Bryson Heath has stepped up his game for the Bountiful Redhawks, who stay in the mix for the region title. Roy Royals’ athletic all-around player, Colby Frokjer, will be critical for the Royals down the stretch. Bonneville Lakers star Ben Tesch is a gritty and tough player who is a handful for teams to stop.

Hunter Jackson – Woods Cross

A heavy senior team from last season, the Wildcats knew this season would be one in which they would need to find new leaders and have newcomers step into prominent roles. Jackson, a 6 foot 4 guard with a great shooting touch and vision on the court, took on the challenge.  

After playing sparingly last season, Jackson leads the Wildcats in scoring, rebounding, and assists. Jackson can finish inside and be a force on the perimeter. He is averaging 15 points, five rebounds, and two assists per game this season. Jackson worked to get stronger and take the physical contact to convert on three-point play opportunities.

“I worked on everything in the offseason but mainly my body and lifting weights and being well conditioned,” Jackson said. “In the offseason, I’d start by waking up at 5:30 a.m. and run some trails up in the mountains, then around 7:30 a.m. I’d do a shooting workout, then after lunch, lift, then later that night shoot again.”

The battle to win Region 5 again will be a tough challenge, especially with the added teams of Roy and Clearfield, but Jackson keeps working toward the goals he and his team have set. 

“Our team goal is to win the region,” Jackson said. “My individual goal coming into the season is to make the all-state and all-region teams.”

Jackson showed his ability to put points up in a hurry in an early season contest against the Syracuse Titans when he scored a career-high 23 points. The game ended with the Titans defeating the Wildcats 57-45, but Jackson showed he is a player opponents know they have to key on each time he is on the court.

“It was disappointing, honestly, just because I know I could have done way more, just the way they were face-guarding me,” Jackson said. “I feel like I could have gotten to the line a lot more, but when I’m in that zone, it’s a hard night for whoever’s guarding me.”

Jackson’s play resembles that of former and current greats, and he studies them to see how he can improve his game.

“I like to have my style of play, but I take bits and pieces of Anthony Edwards and Jayson Tatum on how crafty they are,” Jackson said. “But with being face guarded, I love watching Jaycee Carroll and how he moves and his motor. I want to make winning plays.”

Colby Frokjer – Roy

Frokjer is a physically gifted athlete who can play every position on the court. Seeing his first year of extensive action on the varsity level, Frokjer has emerged as a go-to player for the Royals. Frokjer leads the Royals in scoring, averaging 13.8 points per game, and is second in rebounding, averaging 6.6 per game. Whether knocking down a clutch three-pointer or grabbing a big rebound, Frokjer is an exceptional talent who gets better each game. Frokjer works hard and looks to improve his game and help his team in any way possible.

“I got in the gym as much as possible between sports to dial in my shot,” Frokjer said. “I also tried to build the best bond I could with teammates Bronson Belnap and Corben Schuffenhauer, so we are locked in as a team.”

Royals first-year Coach Ryan Hannah sees Frokjer’s improvement and the time he puts in. As the new team in Region 5, Hannah knows Frokjer is vital to the team challenging the tough opponents in the region.

“He spent much time shooting hoops with his dad and other teammates in the offseason,” Coach Hannah said. “He is working hard to be great and is getting better at understanding his strengths and improving his weaknesses. He has been awesome for us this season in many ways, especially rebounding and scoring.”

Frokjer is a sponge in learning how to play the game. He quickly grasps schemes and looks to veteran teammates and others to be able to make a difference in each game. Frokjer shares that his rugged defensive style was learned from teammate Schuffenhauer, and his quick shooting release is from watching a former NBA great shooter, Ray Allen. Froker has made five three-point baskets three times thus far this season.

The Royals are in the thick of the region race, and Frokjer is doing his part to help the team be on top when the season ends.

“Our team goals were to prove everyone wrong and win or be top two in the region,” Frokjer said. “My personal goal was to have the biggest impact I could to help the team offensively, rebounding and post defense.”

Bryson Heath – Bountiful

Heath has emerged as a dependable ball handler, scorer, and defender for the Redhawks. Heath is quick, athletic, and understands how best to help his team win. Team and individual goals are well within his reach, as his improved play has the Redhawks playing at a high level.

“Our team goals at the beginning of the season were winning region, being one of the top teams in the state, and winning the 5A state championship,” Heath said. “My individual goals this season are to do whatever I can to make our team win, lead the team in assists, be one of the top scorers in the region, and make first-team All-region and All-state.”

Over the summer, Heath worked on improving his game in the gym, playing games, and keeping his body ready for the season.

“There isn’t an offseason for me; this is a year-long passion of being in the gym daily,” Heath said. “When the high school season is over, I get right into playing for my travel team, preparing for the live periods playing on the Under Armour Next circuit, competing with and against the top recruits in the country. I continue to work and develop my game daily in the spring and summer. I organize pick-up games with my teammates as often as possible. I’m lucky to have an awesome high school coach who puts us in many spring and summer tournaments and camps.”

Heath has a high basketball IQ, understands the game, and can play fast each time on the court. Being able to set his teammates up to score and play his game makes Heath one of the premier young players in the state.

“I want to be in the gym every day and improve my game and make my teammates and the players around me better,” Heath said. “This next off-season will be my third season playing for the Utah Mountain Stars, playing in the Under Armour Next Shoe Circuit league. I have been lucky enough to travel all over the country and world (Africa) competing in live period tournaments. I’m lucky to be trained and coached by some of the best basketball players out of Utah (Marty Haws, Tyler Haws, TJ Haws, Travis Hansen, Shaun Green, and Jake Toolson). Utah Mountain Stars is one of the premier club teams in Utah and the only club team to be invited to compete in the Under Armour Next shoe circuit.”

Heath leads the Redhawks with 1.4 steals per game and averages 13.1 points. Heath is a great up-and-coming player and has established respect among his team. Teammate Charlie Smith welcomes Heath’s abilities to help the team each game.

“Bryson is a great leader on the court and an amazing offensive player who can shoot the three and get a bucket at the rim,” Smith said. “He is one of the quickest players in our region, and as a teammate, you can count on him to play hard every night. Bryson makes the right plays and is very selfless with the ball. He is a threat with the ball in his hands, no matter where he is on the floor. Playing with Bryson is always fun, and I look forward to playing and winning with him, not only this year but next year as well.”

Ben Tesch – Bonneville

Tesch has been a major factor in the Lakers, having equaled last season’s win total at the halfway point. The Lakers lead Region 5 in defensive points per game, only allowing 55.1, and Tesch is a pivotal player in that area. The Laker’s defense has given Tesch and the Lakers more opportunities to capitalize on opponents’ turnovers.

“I had a couple of goals coming into the season, but the main goal and focus was to try and win a region title, which is an individual and team goal,” Tesch said. “Another goal that was more of a personal goal was to be one of the top two scorers on the team.”

An excellent all-around player, Tesch can hit the outside shot and make plays inside on the offensive and defensive end.

“I think that what I do best on the court is just making the right move and decision,” Tesch said. “Playing basketball my whole life, I feel like I’ve started to have a pretty good idea of what to do in certain situations in the game.”

Tesch has earned the trust of Head Coach Kyle Bullinger and the team because of his work ethic and improvement from last season.

“Ben has been an integral part of our squad for the past season and a half, and he has expanded his game from his sophomore year,” Coach Bullinger said. “Ben is an excellent shooter from the perimeter but has done a great job of improving his middle game and finishing around the basket. He plays extremely hard and is often our leading rebounder as well. We feel comfortable having him bring the ball up the floor. He can score off pin-downs, ball screens, or any other type of action. Players like Ben are rare, and he is showing why he will be one of the better players to come out of Bonneville in recent memory.”

Tesch’s do-it-all style came from learning to play with his brothers.

“I pattern my game after my brothers, Tesch said. “Growing up, I was always the youngest boy in the family, so I was always playing against my brothers, who were a couple of years older.”

Adapting to any style of play allowed Tesch to score a career-high 27 points in a 79-62 win over the Ogden Tigers earlier this season.

“That game was just fun and exciting for me,” Tesch said. “The whole team came out with a lot of energy, which helped me get going early in the game. The momentum carried over throughout the game, and it was one of the year’s best games for me.”

photos courtesy James Tate

cover photo Ben Tesch (l) and Colby Frokjer (r)