Printer-friendly version
PDF version
The first frostings of snow have started falling, which means for Top of Utah hoops fans that basketball season is just getting ready to heat up.
While 1-A and 2-A girls got the jump on the rest of the state last week, action hits full throttle today when 25 local teams will hit the hardwood.
"It should be a fun season," Bonneville girls coach Mike Russell said. "We are very excited at Bonneville this year."
Russell, whose Lakers kick off their 2009-10 campaign today at defending Region 1 champion Syracuse, feels like the pieces are in place for his team to have a successful season.
"We are a very undersized, extremely athletic team that will definitely have to rely heavily on pressure and defense to create offense," Russell said.
"The girls have been working extremely hard and realize that they face an uphill climb as we head into the season. However, we also feel like we can force teams to match up with us instead of the other way around."
Russell's roster is stocked with numerous players that know how to win games as several play for Bonneville's girls soccer team, which captured the Region 5 title this year and was the runner-up in the state 4-A championship game.
Five Lakers' soccer players now suit up for the basketball team, including seniors Katie Parkinson and Britty McGregor.
"Our team expects to be very competitive game in and game out," Russell said. "At any one time, we will have five players on the floor that can shoot and score off the dribble, as well as create for their teammates. We will be a tough team to match up with."
Another Russell also kicks off his season tonight as well, with Mike's father Phil set to begin his 36th season at the helm of Ogden High School's girls program when the Tigers host Roy. The elder Russell enters this season with 493 career wins, needing just seven more to become the first girls coach in Utah history to achieve 500 victories. Russell would also become just the fifth high school basketball coach in Utah to gain the feat.
Thanks to the UHSAA's new realignment, which took effect this year, father and son will meet twice now that the Lakers and Tigers are together in the same region.
On the boys side, it should be another strong season for Jay Welk's Davis High School Darts. Davis has won four consecutive Region 1 titles, going 39-3 in league play and 80-13 overall during that span. The Darts will kick off their season after this week's Thanksgiving break, opening the season at home on Dec. 1 against Alta.
The extra week of practice should prove to be beneficial for the Darts, who finished as the 5-A runner up in Friday's state 5-A football championship game.
Region 11 should be one of the state's most competitive boys races, with three of the state's best teams -- Juan Diego, Judge Memorial and Morgan -- along with defending 3-A champion Bear River now together thanks to realignment.
