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Davis Journal

Davis still unbeaten in boys basketball; Region 5 tips off

Jan 13, 2022 12:11PM ● By Josh McFadden

Bountiful’s Carson Keller (white Jersey) is swarm-defensed by Lone Peak players. The Knights’ defense held off the Redhawks 78 - 65. Photo by Roger V. Tuttle

Things couldn’t have started better this season for the defending Class 6A champion Davis Darts. The boys basketball campaign has turned to the region portion of the schedule, and the Darts entered the week a perfect 13-0 overall. Last week, the team won its first two Region 1 contests, picking up where it left off after last season’s title run. 

Meanwhile, in Region 5, local teams are just getting underway in league games, with Bountiful, Woods Cross and Viewmont all vying for good seeding for the playoffs in February. 

Davis 

The Darts have won their games this season by an average of 15 points, but last week’s matchups were the closest the team has had so far. Davis edged Layton 54-48 on Jan. 4. In rare fashion this season, Davis played from behind for portions of the game. Entering the fourth quarter, the Darts were down 41-40 but used a 14-7 fourth quarter to pull away. Rex Sunderland was the big offensive star. He amassed 30 points in the victory and collected four steals. No one else scored in double figures, but Henry Ihrig had seven points and 11 rebounds. 

Davis then edged Farmington 46-43 on Jan. 7 in a low-scoring affair. About a third of Davis’ points came in the fourth quarter. The Darts held Farmington to just 23 points through the first three quarters. The Phoenix came alive over the final six minutes, scoring 20 points, but it wasn’t quite enough. Both team struggled from the field, and the Phoenix made just one free throw the entire game. Sawyer Cottrell was the Darts’ lead scoring with 14 points. Colby Sims had 12 points, and Sunderland had 11. Collin Chandler was the game’s leading scorer with 15 points for Farmington. 

On Tuesday, Davis defeated Syracuse 63-50 to move to 14-0 and 3-0 in league play. Davis used a 15-5 run in the second quarter to open up its lead. The Darts shot 50% from the field and held Syracuse to 18 of 46 shooting. 

The Darts hosted Weber on Thursday for a chance to extend their winning streak. 

Farmington

As for Farmington, the Phoenix were 7-6 overall and 2-1 in league play as of our press deadline. The Phoenix rebounded from their loss to Davis with a 69-66 win over Layton on Tuesday. Collin Chandler had 24 points, while Devin Day and Paul Beattie had 14 and 10 points, respectively. 

Woods Cross

The Wildcats began Region 5 action with a game at Box Elder on Thursday. The 7-5 Wildcats enter region play on a two-game winning streak.

On Jan. 7, the Wildcats outlasted Cedar Valley 49-46. Three Woods Cross players scored in double figures. Mason Bendinger led the way with 16 points. Nic Hogan and Jaxon Smith had 15 points and 12 points, respectively. Bendinger and Hogan each collected five rebounds. Zach Delange had a team-high seven assists in the victory. 

Bountiful

The Redhawks have it a bit of a slump after a 3-0 start. As this week began, Bountiful was 5-6 overall. 

The Redhawks fell to Real Salt Lake Academy on Jan. 6, 66-60 despite the tandem of Sam Stevenson and Carson Smith, who combined for 46 points. Stevenson had a game-high 26 points and added six assists. Trevin Ostler had a game-high nine rebounds. Bountiful rebounded this week on Jan. 11 with a 68-55 win over Herriman. The Redhawks were especially strong in the third quarter, outscoring the Mustangs 22-10. Stevenson had 21 points, and Smith added 14. Tavan Russell and Arturo Garcia each had 10 points. 

The Redhawks opened up Region 5 action on Thursday at Viewmont. 

Viewmont 

The Vikings had had some ups and downs this season but hope the start of region play reverses their fortunes. 

The 5-8 Vikings had just one game last week, a 74-56 loss to Riverton. Viewmont fell behind 37-20 at halftime and couldn’t catch up. Viewmont managed to shoot 50% from the field but allowed Riverton to shoot 57%. Radek Pulsipher led the way for Viewmont with 13 points. Scott Noel had 12 points and six rebounds.