Nine Broncos garner all-state football honors

THE ROUND-UP
by Tad Barton
On December 10, the Deseret News released their 2015 All-State football teams. San Juan was well represented as the Broncos had nine players make the various teams.
Four Broncos were selected to the 2A first team, including: Payton Palmer, Bronz Eldredge, Reilly Myrick and Kavika Su’eSu’e. Elliot Jones and Jaxon Lee were named to the second team, while Jon Brewer, Jay McDonald and Peter Shumway were honorable mentions.
Wrestling
The Bronco grapplers traveled to Dove Creek, CO on Saturday, December 12 to participate in the Dove Creek Tournament. As a team San Juan finished sixth out of fourteen teams.
Individually Grange Simpson placed first at 170 lbs., Reilly Myrick and Dominik Perkins placed second at a 195 lbs. and 145 lbs. respectively. Coleman Black finished fourth at a 182 lbs. and Tanner Black placed fourth at 190 lbs. rounding things out for the Broncos on the podium was DJ Howell who placed fifth at 160 lbs.
San Juan’s next match will be Wednesday December 16 in Moab, UT as they face off against the Grand County Red Devils. The wrestling is set to begin at 6 p.m. in the Grand County High School gymnasium.
Boys’ basketball
Boys’ basketball had a busy weekend as they played three games in the Webb Toyota Classic in Farmington, NM.
In game one on Thursday, December 10 the Broncos faced off against Los Cruces High School. San Juan played tough against the much larger school but ultimately fell to the 6A school from New Mexico 52-47.
The Broncos were led by Jaden Torgerson, who finished the game with 17 points, 12 rebounds and three steals.
Max Slavens chipped in six points and three assists, Caleb Pugh scored five points and Dylan Ivins finished with four points. Bronz Eldredge and Zach Brown each tossed in two points and Eldredge pulled down eight boards and grabbed three steals. Jaxon Lee rounded out the scoring for San Juan with one point.
On day two of the tournament San Juan played the Kirtland Central Broncos from Kirtland, N.M. San Juan came out of the gates flat scoring just four points while surrendering 12 to their opponent in the opening quarter.
While San Juan did manage to battle back they were never able to overcome their early set back falling to Kirtland 54-42.
Torgerson again led the Broncos this time scoring 12 points and six rebounds. Pugh was right behind him with 10 points and 13 boards.
Slavens added nine points and three steals, while Brown scored six points, Lee and Ivins added two points each and Eldredge pitched in one point to go along with nine rebounds.
San Juan got their record back over the .500 mark on Saturday, December 12 when they picked up a win against the Wildcats of Fabens, Texas, 51-47.
The Broncos had nine players score in the game led by Torgerson with 14 points, 12 rebounds and three steals. Mason Bethea finished with nine points and six rebounds and Slavens scored eight points and snagged six boards.
Pugh chipped in six points and five rebounds, while Brown and Ivins each added four points. Eldredge, Lee and Keaton Hiatt each scored two points, while Eldredge and Hiatt grabbed seven and five rebounds respectively.
San Juan next plays the Bayfield Wolverines on Friday, December 18 in Bayfield, CO. The game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
Girls’ basketball
The lady Broncos also had a busy weekend as they hosted the Green River Pirates on Tuesday, December 8, before traveling to Kanab to play in the Cowboy Classic Tournament on Friday and Saturday, December 11-12.
San Juan faced off against a familiar opponent to kick things off on Friday evening as they took the court against the Monticello Lady Buckaroos.
The Broncos picked up the win scoring 36 points while holding Monticello to 31 points on the night. San Juan was led by Tyla Morris, who finished the game with 12 points, including two from behind the three-point line.
Sharla Yanito was next with six points; she was followed by Krystelle Noyse, who tossed in five points. Lakesia Lopez, Mary Royer and Megan Grover each scored four points, while Krista Grover and Bodell Nielson both scored two points in the win
In the championship game the Broncos were pitted against the host team, the Kanab Cowgirls.
Trailing by 15 points late in the game San Juan battled back to within three points. With the score 38-35, the Broncos had a chance to tie the game, but instead turned the ball over to Kanab. The Cowgirls then put the game away from the free throw line to earn a 39-35.
Morris again led San Juan with 11 points including one three pointer. Noyse finished with eight points, while Lopez tossed in five points with one make from behind the arc.
Megan Grover scored four points as did Yanito and Krista Grover finished with three points. Morris and Lopez were named to the All-Tournament team.
In addition to the basketball games the teams also participated in skill competitions and games Saturday morning.
Megan Grover won the spot shot event. Participants had a minute to shoot from different distances of their choice.
Each distance had different point values. Shaelynn Squires won the Reaction Drill. In the Reaction Drill Participants were timed how fast they could complete a shuttle run by putting pennies in a cup. Shae completed the course in 8.4 seconds.
Krista Grover was second with a time of 9.2 seconds. Shinea Benally, Ashley Begay, and Chalayne Betsuie won the bubble blow layup contest.
Teams of three took turns unwrapping pieces of gum, chewing it and then blowing a 3 in. bubble before making a layup. A new piece of gum had to be added after each successful layup. The team combined for a time of 4:04 for the win.
The Lady Broncos host Whitehorse in Blanding on Thursday, December 17, then it’s back on the road as they travel to Monticello to take on the Bucks on Friday, December 18. Both games are scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.