Boys basketball: Box Elder sneaks past Roy to hold 1st place in Region 5
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- Box Elder’s Max Isaacson (35) secures the ball as Roy’s Colby Frokjer (1) defends on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Roy.
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- Roy’s Colby Frokjer, left, attempts a shot against Box Elder’s Elijah Kersey (3) on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Roy.
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- Box Elder’s Elijah Kersey, right, battles Roy’s Daxton Warren on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Roy.
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- Box Elder’s Kason Anderson (21) gives chase to Roy’s Bronson Belnap (3) on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Roy.
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- Roy’s Colby Frokjer throws a pass against Box Elder on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Roy.
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- Box Elder’s Elijah Kersey (3) rises to shoot over Roy’s Bryce Godwin (5) and Corben Schuffenhauer (2) on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Roy.
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- Roy’s Dahlen Pontius, right, shoots past Box Elder’s Mason Jeppsen on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Roy.
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- Box Elder’s Trevor Wilkinson handles the basketball against Roy on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Roy.
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- Roy’s Colby Frokjer tries to save the ball from going out of bounds against Box Elder on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Roy.
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- Box Elder’s Elijah Kersey (3) drives against Roy’s Daxton Warren on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024, in Roy.
ROY — Box Elder High boys basketball seniors Elijah Kersey and Max Isaacson combined for 18 points in the first half Wednesday night against Roy, and the Bees had 29 total at the break.
The Royals also had 29, so something had to give in the second half. Turns out one Kersey and one Isaacson trump one Roy senior Bronson Belnap.
Kersey and Isaacson scored 28 of Box Elder’s 30 points in the second half, offsetting a spirited performance by Belnap, and the Bees escaped with a 59-56 road victory in Region 5, maintaining their hold on first place.
“They were pressing our teammates and it gave Max and me open looks at the basket, and we were able to finish,” Kersey said. “Our guards got it to us when (Roy) tried to trap and we came out with the ‘W.'”
Isaacson scored Box Elder’s first eight points of the second half and the Bees went on a 12-2 run to take a 41-31 lead midway through the third quarter.
“Me and Max have played together for a long time. We know no one in our region can guard him, so we put it in to him and he scored,” Kersey said.
But, just when it looked like Box Elder (7-9, 6-1 Region 5) had the game in control, Belnap took center stage for the Royals.
He scored 13 of Roy’s next 15 points and suddenly the Royals led 46-45 early in the fourth quarter when Belnap scored inside and made the free throw with 5:02 left.
That’s when Kersey stepped into the spotlight. He made a free throw to tie it at 46, then two more at the 2:39 mark, giving the Bees a 54-52 lead.
Roy (9-7, 4-3) raced downcourt with a chance to tie when Kersey stepped into a passing lane, intercepted the ball and converted a layup for a 56-52 edge.
Kersey scored eight points in the fourth quarter and had 24 in the game.
“Once I noticed they were doubling Max, we needed help and I started to get going,” Kersey said. “My teammates found me and I was able to score.”
Isaacson had a monster game, netting 22 points and finished with a double-double, pulling down 16 rebounds for the Bees. He had 14 points in the second half.
Colby Frokjer led the Royals with 15 points and Belnap added 14, all in the second half. Dahlen Pontius also had double digits for the Royals with 11 points.
“We felt we should have won region last year and this year I really want to win it my senior season,” Kersey said. “Roy is a tough team; they play hard.”