Wasatch Putting It All Together

Defense is the key in the Wasps 14 point victory

over visiting Union.

BY KENNY BRISTOW

Last Friday night, at Juan Diego, the Wasatch boy’s basketball team added to their league leading heartbreaking loss.  While that stat is unofficial, ask any player or parent of a player on this year’s varsity squad, and they will chime in something along those lines.  It’s been a year of not closing the deal.  The team knows it and the fans know it.  Fortunately, for Wasatch, there is still time to put it all together as they did on Tuesday night on their home court against the visiting Union Cougars, winning 48-34.

Relying on a defensive scheme they believed would be foolproof against Union, the Wasps frustrated their opponent from the opening tip.  Problem was, the black and gold were failing to get it going on offense themselves.  It wasn’t until a minute and a half into the game that a basket was scored.  That basket came at the hands of Sophmore forward, Nate Dow, who game after game is showing his leadership skills as they grow before our eyes.  Dow actually scored the Wasp’s first four points and blocked a huge shot that lead to a Cooper Ballstaedt bucket cementing the lead they would not relinquish.  Once hot-handed guard Jackson Gordon came off the bench at the two-minute mark and pumped in a fast five points, it appeared this would be Wasatch’s night.

Senior Chris Johnson gets Wasatch off to a good start going high for the tip.

But as has been the storyline for the Wasps this year, the Cougars came charging back.  Outscoring the suddenly tentative home team two points to eight, Union knotted up the score at 13 before Head Coach Lonnie Magnussen frustratingly called a timeout.  This moment was the key to the game.

After taking the floor again and trading buckets, senior guard, Blake Hansen hit a three-pointer that seemed to ignite the Wasps.  They gave up a quick score to Union right after that, but with the final minute ticking off before the half, Dow and senior Jake Larson scored on fast break layups.  Both came on steals and subsequent assists by Ballstaedt. The Wasps seemed to have weathered a storm that has wrecked their shores all season long.  They went into the break up 22-17, but more importantly it was a lead they refused to give up.

Guard Jake Larson looks for an open man.  Wasatch did a great job passing the ball the entire game.

Wasatch came out for the second half right where they left off, playing a well-paced game with very few turnovers.  They kept their five-point margin with thief-like defense, stealing the ball, running the floor and finishing with layups.  An early quarter furry by junior guard Jeff Murdock, who was coming off the flu just two nights before, kept the swagger in the home team’s game.  By the end of the third frame, the Wasps had opened up a nine-point advantage.

A perfectly played fourth quarter sealed the deal for Wasatch on this night.  Getting more point contributions from Dow, Gordon and Murdock made it impossible for the Cougars to fight their way back into the game eventually succumbing to the black and gold 48-34.

The Wasp defense was tenacious as seen here as Nate Dow snares one of his six steals.  Senior Austin Harward blocks on the play as Jackson Gordon looks on.

Coach Magnussen was complimentary of his team expressing how they have matured during some of the rough stretches of the season.  “I reminded them of what we came to do,” said the coach when asked what he said to his team during that crucial timeout after Union had tied the score.  “We just kept our tempo… played our game.  We didn’t want to get caught up in the other guy making some shots,” Magnussen said.  “Once we got through that and stayed settled down, we were fine.”

Murdock, who led his team in scoring on the night with 12 points, reiterated the words of his coach.  “We worked up a new zone defense that would allow us to shut them down and keep us in our game,” said the junior guard.  “I knew right away that we were faster than them and told the guys… if we just stay tough on d, then we could outrun them.”

Point guard Jeff Murdock led the Wasps scoring attack with 12 points. The junior was six of eight from the line.

Senior Cooper Ballstaedt launches a three-point shot.

Gordon was strong off the bench in the win.  He was all over the court scoring 10 points and recording five steals.  He was also a catalyst in igniting his team’s energy sinking two timely three-pointers.  Ballstaedt also contributed five steals to go along with his team leading four assists.

Nate Dow, who added 10 points and five rebounds along with six steals was humble in victory afterwards.  “I love this team.  We’re a fun team.  All the guys, the coaches… it may not show in the record, but we’re good,” said the sophmore.  “We’re getting better from the tough losses,” he added.  “State is still there for us and I believe we can do it.  We say ‘one team, one dream’ and I believe that all the way.”