Boys Look to Build On First Victory

After an opening loss, a week off and a postponement…Wasps finally get going at the Bear River Classic

BY KENNY BRISTOW

Wave Sports Writer

The Wasatch High School boy’s basketball team was supposed to have a game last Tuesday – their home opener in the Nest against Orem, but scheduling conflicts postponed that game and left the Wasps wanting.  The team, which had to be so quickly chosen and assembled in a mere two week preseason, and coming off a loss in it’s only contest, was now going into their second week of not having a game.  “It’s been a little bit hard for the kids to find a rhythm,” said Head Lonnie Magnusson, “but we’re getting it going now.”

The boys traveled to Bear River last Thursday to face Northridge in their first of three tournament games.  In a lopsided contest that saw the Wasps down early, Northridge displayed great shooting from the perimeter and torched Wasatch 72-46.  33 of Northridge’s points came on 11 three-point shots.  Chris Johnson led Wasatch with 11 points.

The Wasps did a good job of letting that game go and put up a nice effort before succumbing to host Bear River 54-37 in Friday’s game.  The teams played evenly through the first three quarters with Wasatch down only six points heading into the final frame.  The Bears would get hot however and pull away from Wasatch outscoring them 21-10 in the fourth putting the finishing touches on their win.

“The second game against Bear River was encouraging,” said Magnusson.  “You could see us coming together,” he added.  “We just couldn’t keep it going.”  Nine Wasps scored in the game led by Casey Peterson, Chris Johnson and Cooper Ballstaedt, who had seven points each.

Saturday’s game finished with Wasatch earning their first win of the season 75-71 in overtime over Carbon.  The Wasps showed they are getting it together as a team and shaking off the early season rust as four boys scored in double figures for Wasatch.  Down only a point at the half, Wasatch came out sizzling scoring 25 third quarter points to take the lead, but went cold in the fourth managing only eight points and letting the Dinos tie it up.  Wasatch would hang tough this time and outscored Carbon by four in the overtime period to take the victory.  Nate Dow led the Wasps with 16 points and Ballstaedt put up 14.  Ben Pelo and Jeff Murdock scored 13 and 11 points respectively. Ballstaedt hit three, 3-pointers against Carbon and Pelo added two.

Wasatch will try to keep their momentum going this Thursday as they host Salem Hills in their home opener, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 p.m.