Bronco boys suffer two losses in tough week

by Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
It was a tough past week for the San Juan High School boys basketball team with two losses against two strong teams – American Leadership on December 11 and Bryce Valley December 14.
This past Wednesday the Broncos took a road trip to Spanish Fork to take on the ALA Eagles, one of the best basketball teams San Juan will see this season.
ALA opened a 21-7 lead in the first quarter and the Broncos were never able to challenge in the game as the Eagles cruised to a 61-40 victory.
San Juan shot 37 percent from the floor, 27 percent from three-point range, and 45 percent from the free throw line. They turned the ball over 22 times in the loss and were never able to establish an offensive rhythm.
Tripp Palmer led the way individually with 15 points. Cole Duke scored eight points, Jaiten Knight and Jake Ivins both scored five, George McNaughtan added four, and Jagger Nieves got three.
Duke hit two three-point baskets and Knight got one. McNaughtan led with eight rebounds, Nieves had seven, and Knight pulled down six.
On Saturday, December 14 the Broncos returned home to face the 1A Bryce Valley Mustangs in the SJHS gym. Again they fell behind early and were unable to recover.
Bryce Valley led 21-13 after one quarter, 37-26 at the half, and ultimately 69-57 at the final buzzer. San Juan had moments when it looked like they would break through and go on a run, but the Mustangs were able to regather the momentum every time.
San Juan was 34 percent from the floor, five percent from beyond the arc, and 61 percent from the free throw line. They suffered 20 turnovers but drastically out-rebounded the Mustangs 33-18 in the loss.
Cole Duke had an outstanding night, scoring 21 points for the Broncos. Only one of his buckets was a three-pointer. Tripp Palmer was next in line with 13 points.
Ivins poured in eight points, Nieves and Baylor Nielson had four each, Cash Palmer added three, and Knight and McNaughtan rounded out the scoring with two points apiece.
Duke completed a double-double with a 13-rebound effort. Cash Palmer pulled down seven boards, Nieves had five, and Tripp Palmer got four.
With the losses San Juan fell to 3-5 on the year and they’ve lost four in a row. They opened this week with a long road trip to Panguitch to take on the best team in the 1A ranks. The game was played too late for the San Juan Record press deadline.
This Saturday, December 21 the Broncos welcome the 3A Emery Spartans to Blanding for one last game before the Christmas Break. Tip’s set for 6 p.m. on that one.