All-state basketball honors for San Juan High student athletes

San Juan County is well represented on All-state basketball teams for the 2019-20 season. The Deseret News released its annual list of the top Utah high school basketball players on March 25 and 26 based on coaches’ votes.
Ten players were chosen from San Juan, Monument Valley, and Whitehorse high schools. This week we’ll feature the 3A honorees from San Juan High School.

Boys First Team
Jaxon Torgerson
6-1 Senior Guard – 15.8 points/game, 4.5 rebounds per game, 3.7 assists per game, 1.7 steals per game

Boys Second Team
Randall Flavel
6-4 Senior Forward – 13.9 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 1.6 apg, 0.8 spg

Honorable Mention
Shaw Nielson
6-1 Senior Guard – 9.8 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.0 spg

Honorable Mention
Ryan Imlay
6-3 Senior Forward – 6.9 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.5 spg
Head Coach Travis Black: “As a coaching staff we think it’s awesome that we had four boys (Jaxon, Randall, Shaw, and Ryan) make All-state in basketball.
“It’s quite an accomplishment for one team to have four players, and something that hasn’t happened that often for San Juan in this sport.
“We are proud of their accomplishment and they should be too. I think it speaks for the hard work that these four seniors put into playing basketball which started when they were very young – almost out of the womb for a couple for them.
“It’s difficult for me to talk about one of these athletes without talking about all of them collectively. Besides being great basketball players and overall great athletes, all four worked extremely hard every day in practice to make themselves and those around them better.
“As a coach there are a few main things I look for in a player: I want them to have a great attitude, to be coachable, to be a great teammate, and to give a 100-percent effort every day. These boys did that for their team and us coaches, which made our job that much more enjoyable.
“All four of these boys’ fathers were their coaches at some point and helped shape them in younger club ball and in high school. Much credit is due to those fathers. I think all of their parents really helped these young men develop a love for basketball, for competition, and for the team family.
“I’ve had a chance to watch them play since they were in fifth grade and it’s been a fun experience watching them grow, mature, and progress in sports and in their lives.
“I’m excited to see them all go on with life’s next steps and apply the lessons they have learned from sports in the new challenges they will face.
“They have hopes to play collegiate sports either before or after church missions. I’ll really miss coaching them, and I wish them all the best.”

Girls First Team
Tasiah Little
5-7 Senior Guard – 15.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.0 apg, 3.5 spg
Head Coach Laura Stearns: “Tasiah had a standout year. Along with her strong stats, she is great teammate on and off the court. Her determination this year was so much fun to witness.
“It was great to see her want to win and do whatever it took to win that game. She is involved in Upward Bound and Spanish Club at the high school.
“Tasiah is looking forward to attending college in the next year and is hoping to continue her basketball career.”

Girls Third Team
Madison Palmer
5-8 Senior Guard – 11.7 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 2.7 apg, 2.8 spg
Head Coach Laura Stearns: “Madi also had an outstanding year this year. She was great at keeping the team together and working as one, which helped us win many games. Madi has a great attitude and puts everything into practices and games.
“She is and was a great example for the girls who are coming up in the program. She is involved in National Honor Society, HOSA, FBLA, and Hope Squad at the high school.
“Madi was also on the third team for Academic All-state this year. She is looking forward to serving an LDS mission and attending college.”