Girls basketball: Johnson leads balanced Bonneville in putting away Roy
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- Bonneville High’s Adisyn Stone (34) passes the ball past Roy’s Lily Perez (1) and Quincy Hoover (25) on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Roy.
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- Bonneville High’s Bailey Webb (14) shoots a 3-pointer as Roy’s Aniyah Gomez (24) looks on in a game Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Roy.
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- Roy High’s Jazzi Prieto handles the basketball in a game against Bonneville on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Roy.
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- Roy High’s Lily Perez, left, handles the ball against the defense of Bonneville’s Bailey Webb (14) on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Roy.
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- Bonneville High’s Charity McDonald handles the basketball in a game against Roy on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Roy.
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- Bonneville High girls basketball head coach Johnny Caine claps as the Lakers’ bench cheers for a play in a game against Roy on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Roy.
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- Roy High’s Jazzi Prieto drives the basketball in a game against Bonneville on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Roy.
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- Bonneville High’s Brielle Francom, right, passes away from the defense of Roy’s True James, left, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Roy.
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- Roy High’s Quincy Hoover passes the ball in a game against Bonneville on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Roy.
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- Bonneville High’s Madilynn Degroot (35) battles to keep the ball against Roy’s Holly Burnett, right, on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Roy.
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- Bonneville High’s Bailey Webb throws a pass in a game against Roy on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Roy.
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- Bonneville High’s Brielle Francom dribbles down the court against Roy on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, in Roy.
ROY — Bonneville High basketball guard Whitni Johnson won the girls 5A state golf championship last year by shooting the lowest score on the links.
On Wednesday, Johnson was at the opposite end of the spectrum, scoring a team-high (along with Charity McDonald) 11 points on the court as the Lakers bounced Roy 51-35 in a Region 5 rivalry matchup.
Johnson splashed home a trio of 3-pointers in the first 5 minutes, 36 seconds of the game and the Lakers raced to a 16-4 lead after one quarter.
“I wasn’t super confident in the beginning, but then I made that first 3 and kept shooting and believing in myself,” Johnson said.
The Lakers (6-7, 1-1 Region 5) were wary of a Roy (0-13, 0-3) team that hasn’t won a game all season, and didn’t take anything for granted.
“We wanted to be calm and not give in because we know we can win it … put our best foot forward and work as hard as we can,” Johnson said. “We had to keep going for it and gave it our all in the first half. But the second quarter was a little rough.”
Roy won that second stanza 11-5 and closed the gap to 21-15 at the break. Three-pointers by Martha Willis, Jazzi Prieto and Lily Perez got the Royals within range.
“They came out and played much better than we did and got themselves back in the game. Their zone gave us some trouble and we had way too many turnovers,” Bonneville coach Johnny Caine said. “We had wasted possessions; kudos to them. If you’re not making shots, they get stops and plays at the other end to keep themselves alive.
“We had to recalibrate, figure it out … we did, fortunately. We’re proud of the girls,” Caine said.
Bonneville captured the third period 17-8, taking a commanding 38-23 lead after three. McDonald and Ema Eskelsen both scored five points in the quarter, netting a 3-pointer and a traditional basket each.
“Getting the girls refocused to our principles: playing hard, playing smart, playing together. We needed to force the issue, win the quarter; play like the first quarter — what we’re capable of,” Caine said. “We came out after it and pushed the lead. We know we have girls that can play; we have a whole team. It’s not about one girl. We’re collectively strong. When we do that, we’re a pretty tough team to beat.”
Johnson only made two free throws after her torrid start, while other teammates stepped up with a balanced scoring attack that saw nine players put their mark in the scorebook.
“I kind of stopped shooting when I missed a couple and got other teammates involved so they could make some,” Johnson said.
Besides her 11 points, (she averages 2.5 ppg) Johnson grabbed four rebounds. McDonald’s 11 points included three treys, while Stacey Tesch only had two points, but added six rebounds and two steals.
Baya Jimenez usually leads the Lakers’ offense and was right there with nine points, three assists and nine rebounds.
“Others stepped up; that’s what’s so great about this team. They believe in each other; they share a trust that other girls will fill in when necessary,” Caine said. “We’ll need that in region play from here on out. Girls working together to get it done offensively.”
Prieto paced the Royals with 11 points (three 3s) and dished five assists. Perez buried a pair of 3-pointers for six points and, while Eva Reed didn’t score, she chipped in seven rebounds and five steals.
Willis’ eight points came off the bench for the Royals and she also pulled down four boards. Lily Solomona had six points and five rebounds.
So, Roy had some firepower and Bonneville had to match that with a sound game plan.
“We focus more on us; go out and play our way,” Caine said. “We tell the girls any team can sneak up and get you if you’re not prepared and ready to play.”
Johnson played for the Lakers as a freshman, then started as a sophomore, before taking last year off to concentrate on golf. Now she’s returned for her senior season, she said, because she missed it.
“I love it,” Johnson added.
She plans to attend Utah Valley on a golf scholarship.
