San Juan County well represented on All-state basketball teams

Seven local athletes were selected for girls and boys All-state basketball teams and two more received honorable mentions this year. The Deseret News made the announcement last week.
All-state teams are selected annually based on coaches’ votes. We’ll feature a very brief statistical rundown and a scouting report comment for each all-state player.
Whitehorse’s Daan Filfred stood out above the competition this season and was the only San Juan County basketball player to be named First Team All-state. The Lady Raider junior averaged 14.3 points per game. She scored a season-high 28 points at Shiprock Northwest on December 15.
According to an opposing coach, “Daan is one of the smartest players I have watched play on a basketball floor. She could make a great move and score or make fantastic pass to a teammate.
“The thing that stands out about Daan is that although she is not very tall she was a force down low. She was part of every rebound on defense and had the great skills to score over taller players on offense. She is the one of those well-rounded players every coach loves to have.”
Ervianne Cly, a Monument Valley senior, received 1A Second Team honors. She averaged 18 points per game this year and scored a season-high 29 versus Wayne on December 8.
“Ervianne is one of the toughest players we played against all year,” said the opposition. “She does so many things well offensively. We tried various things to stop her and she always finds different ways to score.
“She is a good rebounder and gets put backs. She has a great mid-range game from the high post but is also tough in the low post and from three-point range. She is also a great passer and shares the ball with her teammates.
“If you try to double team her she will find her open teammate. In addition to her skills, the thing that makes her a great overall player is her sportsmanship. She competes hard but is respectful and humble.”
Fellow Lady Cougar Jamika Nelson was also named to the 1A Second Team. The junior averaged 15 points per game this year and scored a season-high 27 against Wendover on March 1.
According to her scouting report, “Jamika is very smooth with the ball and great at driving to the basket. She is a type of player you love to watch but hate to coach against. As an opposing coach you don’t want the ball in her hands, especially in full court.
“She’s unselfish and constantly encourages her teammates. More importantly, she is a fierce competitor and the heart of the team. She’s a willing defender as well – certainly a college-level player.”
Whitehorse senior Shundean Begay was named to the 1A Third Team. She averaged 7.3 points per game. Her season high of 19 points came versus Panguitch on March 1.
According to an opposing coach, Begay is a “point guard who can shoot. If not guarded well she can rack up points with her three-point shot. She is tenacious on defense.”
Girls receiving 1A All-state honorable mentions were Tymbr Black of Monticello and Jasmine Stanley of Monument Valley.
At the 3A level San Juan’s Delaney Palmer was named Third Team All-state.  The Lady Bronco junior averaged 14.6 points per game and scored a season-high 26 against Grand on January 18.
Palmer’s scouting report said, “When we played San Juan this season, we planned to try and contain Delaney. She is quite simply a physical competitor with an unrelenting desire to win. She is quick and athletic and she uses that athleticism as a scorer, rebounder, and defender.
“Offensively, Delaney has an outstanding mid-range game and is adept at taking the ball to the basket, but she can also hit the three-point shot. Defensively, she has the height and the strength to defend post players but also the quickness and athleticism to slow down guards.”
On the boys side, two players received Second Team honors. In the 3A ranks, Jaxon Torgerson represented San Juan High School. The Bronco junior averaged 17.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. His season high of 29 points came against South Sevier on February 1.
“Jaxon is one of those players that is a tough matchup,” said an opposing coach. “He has a variety of different skills that make him a tough player to defend. He can shoot the ball from the outside extremely well.
“He has the skills to beat you off the dribble and he is a very willing passer which makes it hard to help because he will find the open man. I always enjoyed watching Jaxon play even when coaching against him.”
Monticello’s Lucas Hatch was selected to the 1A Second Team. The Buckaroo senior scored 16.7 points a game and got his season high of 30 at Green River on February 8.
According to his scouting report, “Lucas is such a great all-around athlete that he was hard to prepare for. He’s a great ball-handler, good passer, and has good range from the outside. He scores points effortlessly with his attacks in the paint and his jump shot.
“He plays selfless basketball, getting his teammates open as well. He’s a great defender and gets lots of steals and transition buckets. Overall, he’s just a great basketball player and great young man.”