San Juan boys, girls close regular season with wins over Grand

by Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
The San Juan High School boys basketball team defeated Grand County 70-59 in Moab this past Friday, February 6. The game was tight early on and the Red Devils actually held the lead for most of the first half.
But the Broncos rallied to take control midway through the second quarter and never relinquished the lead from that point on.
Tripp Palmer scored 24 points in the win to lead San Juan. He pulled down ten rebounds, completing a double-double. He also hit a three-point basket and threw down an impressive slam dunk.
Cole Duke poured in 17 points with two three-pointers and five boards in the win. Jagger Nieves added 13 points and ten rebounds for a double-double. He also hit one three-pointer.
Baylor Nielson scored eight points with two threes, Cash Palmer and George McNaughtan tallied three each, and Brigg Palmer got two. McNaughtan had four rebounds and Palmer got three.
San Juan finished the regular season with a 14-9 record, ranked ninth in the 2A standings. They hosted #24 VanGuard Academy in the opening round of the 2A Utah State Tournament on Tuesday, February 10 after the San Juan Record print deadline.
A victory in that game would propel the Broncos into the second round where they would be forced to travel to West Valley City to play #8 American Prep West Valley.
The Eagles are 19-3 this season and their only common opponent with San Juan was Rockwell, who they defeated 84-53. San Juan beat the Marshals 91-63 on January 3.
It promises to be an exciting battle. The winner will head to Utah Valley University for the final three rounds of the tournament beginning on Monday, February 23.
Tentatively the second-round contest will tip this Friday at 7 p.m. and it will be broadcast on Redrock 92 Radio with video on StreamUtah.Live and YouTube.
The San Juan girls also defeated Grand County to close out their regular season, 64-42 on Thursday, February 5. They led 13-11 after one quarter and stretched the lead to 27-20 at halftime.
They outscored the Lady Red Devils 37-22 in the second half to close out the win. Khimya Fullwood led the offensive charge for the Lady Broncos with 24 points. Brooklyn Lameman tallied 15 points with a three-pointer.
Evony Sampson and Syndel Atcitty scored six points apiece for San Juan. Daveigh Mitchell, Kaidence Mitchell, and Madi Adams all scored four each. Adams hit one triple in the game.
The Lady Broncos closed out the regular season with an 11-10 record. They were eighth in the 2A girls standings, which earns them a bye in the first round of the state tournament and a home game in round two.
They will host either #9 American Heritage or #24 Rowland Hall this Saturday, February 14 at 1 p.m. It’s anticipated that their opponent will be American Heritage.
A win in that game would put San Juan in the state quarterfinals for the first time since they made an appearance in the 3A quarterfinals in the 2019-2020 season.