This week will mark the halfway point of league play in Region 5 boys basketball. Heading into Jan. 22 games, Bountiful held a slim one-game lead atop Region 5 over rival Viewmont. 

The Redhawks entered the week with a perfect 6-0 record, while the Vikings were 5-1. Viewmont’s only loss up to this point in league action was a 66-55 setback on Jan. 3 at home to Bountiful. 

Bountiful

In its impressive start to the region slate, the Redhawks (12-3 overall) were sitting at No. 5 in the RPI standings. Bountiful is outscoring region foes by an average score of 73-53. The 11-point victory over Viewmont was the team’s closest outing since Region 5 play began. Bountiful’s last two games have been one-sided.

On Friday, Jan. 17, the Redhawks blew out Roy at home, 72-51. After getting off to an impressive 26-9 lead after one quarter, Bountiful cruised the rest of the way. The Redhawks hit half their shots from the floor and made 10 three-pointers, with seven players hitting at least one shot from long range. Lincoln Smith paced the team with 22 points, nailing four three-pointers. Davey Howe added 11 points and chipped in four rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. 

Two days earlier, Bountiful hosted Clearfield and played strong defense in a 69-44 rout. The Redhawks surrendered just six points in the first quarter and nine in the fourth quarter. Four players scored in double figures, with Charlie Smith leading the charge with 15 points, all on five three-pointers. Bryson Heath totaled 14 points and four assists. Lincoln Smith and Howe each had 11 points. Emerson Geilman led the team in rebounding with seven boards. 

On Wednesday, the Redhawks played at Woods Cross in a key game. They host Box Elder on Friday. 

Viewmont 

The Vikings, 9-7 overall, are looking to keep pace with Bountiful in the league standings. After a key game at Clearfield on Wednesday (after our press time), Viewmont travels to Roy on Friday. 

Viewmont got past Northridge on Jan. 15, prevailing 75-66 on the road. A 21-12 difference in the fourth quarter was the clincher after the game had been tied after three quarters. Drez Jensen was the leading scorer for the Vikings, recording 24 points. Lukus Toner had 15 points, and Carson Tovey contributed 11 points and six rebounds. Ten Viewmont players got into the scoring column. 

On Jan. 17, the Vikings took down Bonneville at home, 58-46. Viewmont had built a 47-30 lead heading into the final six minutes. Jensen scored 16 points and had four rebounds. Toner added 11 points, while Tovey had a game-high seven rebounds. Viewmont played tough defense, recording 11 steals on the day. 

Woods Cross

Meanwhile, the Wildcats are tied for third in Region 5 with a 3-3 mark. They are 8-7 overall and next play at Bonneville on Friday. Woods Cross hosted Bountiful on Wednesday, after our press deadline. 

Woods Cross had one of its most dominant performances of the season on Jan. 15 when it blew out Roy on the road, 72-47. The game turned in the Wildcats’ favor early, as they got off to a 21-6 advantage after one quarter. A 24-14 run in the fourth quarter put even more distance between the teams. 

Nate Smith-Mecham and Hunter Jackson each had 19 points to lead Wood Cross. Smith-Mecham added eight rebounds and hit four three-pointers. But Jackson had the day’s most impressive individual performance. Along with 19 points, the senior guard had 11 rebounds and tallied seven assists for the Wildcats. Madden Johnsen had 15 points and five rebounds of his own in the win. 

On Jan. 17, Woods Cross fell at Northridge 61-59, coming up short in an exciting overtime matchup. In the back-and-forth game, Woods Cross struggled from the foul line but got 19 points from Johnsen. Jackson added 14 points and seven assists in a losing effort. λ