The non-region portion of the season was rough for the Viewmont boys basketball team, as the Vikings went 1-8. Region 5 play followed the same trend with the Vikings dropping their first three games. 

Now, winners of three consecutive games, Viewmont is surging.

The Vikings are currently 3-3 in league action and 4-11 overall. That’s just two games out of first place in Region 1. 

Viewmont took Northridge on Jan. 17, winning at home 71-60. The first half was especially huge for the Vikings, as they led 18-7 after one quarter and 41-20 at halftime. Even though Northridge outscored Viewmont by 10 points in the second half, the comfortable halftime advantage was more than enough. 

Viewmont won by double digits despite Northridge shooting better than 50% from the field. The key difference was three-point shooting. Viewmont made 11 shots from behind the arc, while Northridge made just four. 

Drez Jensen made three of Viewmont’s three-pointers. The junior guard had a game-high 17 points and also chipped in three rebounds and three assists. Preston Weaver had 12 points and three rebounds, while Max Draper contributed 10 points, three rebounds and two steals. Luke Gardner had nine points, all coming from converted three-pointers (three). 

Viewmont edged Bonneville on Jan. 19, 55-51 on the road. Viewmont once again led at halftime, this time 24-16. The Vikings had to withstand a late Bonneville rally in which the Lakers outscored them 20-12 in the fourth quarter. 

The Vikings had just four three-pointers in this game, but they were enough to help the team prevail. Jensen’s 22 points not only led all scorers but was a season high for him. He also added seven rebounds, Draper had 14 points and five rebounds in the victory. 

Viewmont hosted Clearfield on Wednesday, after our press deadline, for a chance to make it four wins in a row. The Vikings host Roy on Friday. 

Bountiful

The 10-5 Redhawks are 4-2 in Region 5 play, a game back of first-place Box Elder. 

Bountiful took care of Clearfield on Jan. 17, winning 80-71 in a strong offensive showing. The Redhawks were on fire in the first quarter, tallying 28 points and putting themselves on a pace to score 112 points in the game. Bountiful didn’t continue to score at that rate but still held a 67-45 lead going into the final quarter. 

Carson Smith had an impressive outing. The senior had 28 points, five rebounds and four assists. Charlie Smith had 19 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Meanwhile, Bryson Heath had 18 points, and Arturo Garcia led the Redhawks with seven assists to go along with his nine points. 

Two days later, Bountiful suffered a tough loss at home against Roy, 60-50. Bountiful was hot in the first quarter, scoring 20 points, but it cooled off with just five points in the second quarter. The fourth quarter also proved to be detrimental for Bountiful. Leading 44-42, the Redhawks gave up 18 points in the final quarter while only scoring six. The Redhawks held Roy to just 21 of 51 shots from the floor but managed just 40% shooting of their own. 

Carson Smith once again led Bountiful, in this game getting 16 points to go along with seven rebounds and three assists. Charlie Smith had a similar stat line, compiling 12 points, five rebounds and three assists. Heath chipped in 11 points. 

The Redhawks hosted Woods Cross on Wednesday, after our press deadline. Bountiful next plays at league-leading Box Elder on Friday. 

Woods Cross 

The Wildcats continue to struggle in the win column, though they have been competitive in defeat. Woods Cross is 2-13 overall and 1-5 in Region 5. 

Woods Cross’ last two games were close setbacks, beginning with a 55-51 loss at home to Roy on Jan. 17. The Wildcats staged a fourth-quarter rally, outscoring Roy 22-13 in what had been a 42-29 game after three quarters. Hunter Jackson had 15 points, including three of his team’s four three-pointers. Bryson Watson added 13 points in defeat. 

Things looked good for a win in the Wildcats’ next game, a Jan. 19 matchup with Northridge at home. The Wildcats were up 29-26 at halftime and 53-44 heading into the fourth quarter. But a 21-9 fourth quarter in favor of Northridge sealed the Wildcats’ fate. 

Jackson had a stellar all-around game. The junior point guard had 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and six steals. Hayden Poulton had 15 points, and Watson had 13 points.

After playing at Bountiful on Wednesday, Woods Cross hosts Bonneville on Friday.