Broncos pick up wins over Bayfield, Grand

by Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
The San Juan High School boys basketball team began the past week with a trip to Bayfield, CO  on Tuesday, January 14 looking to get back in the win column after a couple tough losses the previous weekend.
Despite the return of their leading scorer, Tripp Palmer, the game did not begin as the Broncos hoped. They fell behind the Wolverines 22-16 after one quarter and were unable to gain ground in the second as the deficit grew to 38-29 at halftime.
But in the second half San Juan showed their trademark resiliency, rallying to outscore Bayfield 17-5 in the third quarter to take their first lead of the game 46-43. They kept the pedal down to dominate the home team 15-4 in the fourth quarter, securing a very nice 61-47 comeback win.
Three Broncos scored in double digits for the game. Palmer netted 18 points in his first game back from injury. Jake Ivins poured in 14 points, and Jaiten Knight got 11. Ivins and Knight earned double-doubles, pulling down 14 and 11 rebounds respectively.
Jagger Nieves scored nine points for San Juan in the win, George McNaughtan contributed five, and Cole Duke scored four. Knight, Ivins, and Palmer hit one three-point basket apiece.
In addition to Ivins’ and Knight’s rebounds, Palmer got six, McNaughtan had five, and Duke and Nieves pulled down three each.
The win got the Broncos started on the right foot for the week and they got another strong performance against the rival Grand County Red Devils in the San Juan gym on Friday, January 17.
San Juan led from start to finish in their first matchup of the season with Grand and though the Red Devils rallied in the second half, the outcome was never really in question in a 76-64 final.
Tripp Palmer was the player of the game for the Broncos, earning a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds. He hit a trio of three-point buckets and his scoring in the first half definitely set the pace for the team. He also blocked four Grand shots in the game.
Palmer’s teammates heated up in the second half and Jake Ivins ended the night with 13 points. Cole Duke poured in 11 points and the trio of Jagger Nieves, George McNaughtan, and Jaiten Knight all got seven apiece.
Baylor Nielson and Cash Palmer added two points each off the bench for the Broncos and freshman Brigg Palmer scored one. Nieves hit two three-pointers while Knight and Duke got one apiece.
San Juan out-rebounded the Red Devils handily, 37-27 on the night. In addition to Tripp Palmer’s 11 boards Ivins and Nieves pulled down six apiece. Duke got five; McNaughtan four; Brigg Palmer two; and Knight, Nielson, and Cash Palmer one each.
San Juan finished a busy week with a 2A crossover matchup at home against Rockwell on Saturday, January 18 and unfortunately the Broncos were much more flat than they were against Grand the previous night.
It was an exceptionally even matchup in the first half, however, as the teams were tied 12-12 after one quarter and 28-28 at halftime.
But San Juan mustered just 18 points in the second half as the Marshals took control with 25 of their own to win the game 53-46.
Tripp Palmer again led Bronco scoring in the loss with 14 points, while Duke scored nine, Nieves seven, Nielson and Ivins six each, and Knight and McNaughtan two apiece.
Nielson hit a couple three-pointers with Nieves and Duke collecting one each. Nieves led the team with 12 rebounds, Tripp Palmer pulled down nine, Duke eight, McNaughtan and Ivins five apiece, Knight two, and Nielson one.
San Juan has won five of their last eight games and after the past week’s action they’re 8-9 on the season, ranked 11th in the 2A RPI standings. They’re 3-2 so far in Region 15 play after the win over Grand.
The Broncos are gearing up for two key region matchups on the road this weekend. They face #16 Gunnison Valley on Friday, January 24 at 7 p.m. Then, on Saturday, January 25 at 3:30 they’ll take on #12 North Sevier.
Both games will be broadcast on Redrock 92 Radio with video on StreamUtah.Live. The broadcasts begin approximately 30 minutes before tipoff.