The Grand County High School boys basketball team finally got the Region 15 monkey off its back, defeating North Sevier and Gunnison Valley in consecutive days on Friday, Jan. 6, and Saturday, Jan. 7. They were the Red Devils’ first two region victories in almost three years.
To open their weekend home stand, the Red Devils hosted the Wolves of North Sevier, defeating them 75-63. Their last region win prior to the game was against the Wolves on Feb. 15, 2014. On Friday, Grand and North Sevier fought to a 12-12 tie at the end of the first quarter before Grand pulled away in the second to take a 32-23 halftime lead. The Wolves knotted the game back up at 45-45 going into the fourth quarter, but Grand reclaimed the momentum in the final frame and pulled away for the win.
Junior Brayden Schultz led the team in scoring and rebounding with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Coach Scott Horton said Schultz’ talent makes him difficult for others to defend.
“Schultz is so quick and can jump so high that teams can’t guard him on the perimeter or the boards,” Horton said.
Junior Alec Williams pitched in with 18 points and 4 rebounds and senior Kenyon Birdwell scored 13 points and had 6 steals.
“Williams is in his second year as the starting point guard and he’s been playing very well,” Horton said.
The following afternoon, Grand fell behind early against the Gunnison Valley Bulldogs, but rallied to pull ahead. The Bulldogs staged a rally of their own, but fell short as the Red Devils won the game 58-51. Williams scored 15 points and had 5 rebounds, while Schultz had 12 points and 5 rebounds, as well as 3 steals and 3 assists. Birdwell flirted with a double-double, scoring 8 points and pulling down 9 rebounds, while also dishing 3 assists. Sophomore Nolan Ramirez also filled the stat sheet with 8 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
Horton said winning in region play was a milestone for the Red Devils.
“(Winning) gave them a lot of confidence going forward that they can play with anyone in the region,” Horton said. “You get used to losing and then you have to figure out how to win. Now these guys have done that.”
The Red Devils were also scheduled to play at Manti on Wednesday, Jan. 11. They’re next scheduled to play at home versus the San Juan Broncos on Friday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m.
Horton said the key for Grand to keep winning is to continue to play defense.
“That’s been our focus since I started coaching the team,” he said. “The guys are getting used to playing our defense.”
Horton said that offensively, there isn’t one guy that Grand’s opponents can key on to shut the Red Devils down.
“Other teams can’t look at our stat sheet and key on any one guy,” he said. “Anyone on our team can score at any time. You stop one guy and there are 13 other guys on the team that can play basketball.”
Red Devils win in region play for first time in almost 3 years
“(Winning) gave them a lot of confidence going forward that they can play with anyone in the region. You get used to losing and then you have to figure out how to win. Now these guys have done that.”
When: Friday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m.
Where: Grand County High School gymnasium, 608 S. 400 East
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