Across the state, high school students are finishing their final weeks of school before Christmas break. Davis County boys basketball teams have been busy as they prepare for the stretch run of non-region play. 

Davis 

The Darts head off to University Place, Washington, for the Curtis Winter Classic. The team heads into a contest with O’Dea, Washington, on Thursday riding a four-game winning streak and a 6-1 overall record. 

The Darts had an eventful week last week in the Northern Utah Challenge, winning all three of their games.  The most impressive victory was a close 50-48 win over powerhouse Olympus, the defending Class 5A champion, on Dec. 13. The Darts got off to a 19-10 advantage after one quarter and held on for the win. Davis shot 50% from the floor and got 15 points from Coleman Atwater and 13 points from JT Turley. Croyden Christensen had a strong game, scoring eight points and pulling down nine rebounds while collecting three steals. 

Davis’ other two victories in the tournament weren’t so close. The Darts first blew past Brighton 76-56 on Dec. 12 on the strength of Atwater’s big game. He led the team with 18 points, hitting five three-pointers. Atwater added nine rebounds, three assists and three steals. After the Darts’ victory over Olympus, they won 67-54 on Dec. 14. Davis trailed Highland 47-46 after three quarters but finished strong with a 21-7 fourth-quarter advantage. Atwater led the team with 22 points, while Bode Sparrow had 16 points and six rebounds. 

After the tournament in Washington, Davis will take a long break for the holidays, returning to action for the Tournament of Champions on Jan. 2-4. 

Bountiful

At 5-2, Bountiful has the best overall record of any team in Region 5. The Redhawks are also on a three-game winning streak as they head into their game at home against Timpanogos on Friday. 

Last week, Bountiful had a scoring outburst in a 91-85 victory over Springville on Dec. 13. Bountiful had at least 18 points in every quarter and erupted for 28 in the first period. Bryson Heath and Lincoln Smith combined for 60 points, scoring 28 and 22, respectively. Both players hit four three-pointers. Charlie Smith contributed 17 points and a trio of three-pointers. In all, the Redhawks hit 14 shots from behind the arc. 

This past Tuesday, Bountiful won again, this time over Skyridge at home by the count of 61-55. The Redhawks hit just 13 total field goals but went 17 of 20 from the foul line. Smith and Heath each had 18 points to pace the team, while Davey Howe scored eight points, just missing double figures. 

After facing Timpanogos, Bountiful won’t play again until New Year’s Eve at Box Elder. 

Woods Cross

The Wildcats saw their four-game winning streak come to an end on Tuesday, falling at Weber 72-66. Woods Cross, now 5-4, won’t play again until Dec. 31 when it opens Region 5 action at home against Bonneville. 

In the loss to Region 1’s Weber, Woods Cross was in control through the first three quarters. Heading into the final six minutes, the Wildcats were up 55-48. But Weber dominated the fourth quarter. 

Finding themselves on the wrong end of a 24-11, the Wildcats lost by six, despite five players scoring in double figures. Elliot Bendinger paced the team with 15 points, while Bryson Watson and Hunter Jackson had 14 points and 13 points, respectively. Madden Johnsen added 12 points, and Nate Smith chipped in 10. 

The Wildcats had a busy week last week, playing four games. The final three came in back-to-back-to-back days Thursday–Saturday, resulting in wins each time. Woods Cross defeated Syracuse 67-63 on Dec. 12, followed by a 61-59 win over Brighton on Dec. 13 and an 84-45 blowout of Skyline on Dec. 14. Against Skyline, Woods Cross turned a close game at the end of the first quarter into a rout. The Wildcats finished emphatically, outscoring the Eagles 26-5 in the fourth quarter. Johnsen had 20 points to lead the way and added seven assists. Jackson had a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists, nearly getting a rare triple-double by adding nine rebounds. Bendinger scored 18 points and pulled down 10 rebounds. 

Viewmont 

Viewmont is an even 3-3 on the year. The Vikings have some formidable challenges ahead in the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, Wednesday through Saturday. Game one of the tournament is against Victory Christian, California. 

Most recently, the Vikings took down Fremont 56-44. Viewmont got up early and had a 32-21 advantage at the break. Viewmont got to the line early and often, hitting 23 of 30 shots from the line. Drez Jensen was the game’s leading scorer, pouring in 25 points. Lloyd Williamson chipped in 11 points, including three shots from behind the three-point line. 

After the Tarkanian Classic, Viewmont will open league play Dec. 31 at home against Roy. 

Farmington

In Region 1, the Phoenix are 2-6 overall and have four games left before league action heats up. 

Farmington was 1-2 last week, falling at Herriman 66-43 on Dec. 12 and at Dixie 66-63 on Dec. 13. The Phoenix got back on the winning track on Dec. 14 with a 56-55 victory over Mountain View in a tale of two halves.

In the win, Farmington was up comfortably at halftime by the count of 32-18. However, Mountain View struck back in the second half, outscoring the Phoenix 37-24. Farmington did just enough to hold on for the win, No. two on the year. Malakai Tobler led all scorers with 22 points. He hit five three-pointers as well. Chase Hamblin totaled 11 points on the day. 

Farmington hosted Northridge on Wednesday and next plays at Mountain Ridge on Friday.   λ