San Juan boys split games to open basketball season

by Rhett Sifford
Sports Editor
The San Juan High School boys basketball team opened their season with a split in their first two games this past weekend.
On Friday, November 22 many of the same boys who had captured a football state championship less than a week prior beat Wayne on the hardwood 60-44 in the first game of the year.
The Broncos dominated from start to finish, opening an 18-6 lead in the first quarter, stretching it to 30-18 at halftime, and cruising to victory in the second half.
Tripp Palmer led San Juan with 21 points in the win. Jake Ivins scored ten, Jaiten Knight and Cole Duke poured in eight apiece, Jagger Nieves got seven, George McNaughtan five, and Cash Palmer one.
Knight drained two three-pointers in the game while Duke and Tripp Palmer got one each. The Broncos out-rebounded the Badgers handily 43-26.
Nieves led the team with ten, McNaughtan pulled down nine, and Tripp Palmer had eight. Ivins and Nieves both had three assists and two steals apiece in the win.
On Saturday, November 23 San Juan traveled north to Green River to take on the Pirates for the first time in eight seasons. It was a very rare matchup – only the fourth meeting between the teams as far back as MaxPreps stats go.
It was a barnburner. San Juan outscored the home team 15-12 in the first quarter but Green River rallied in the second to trim the Broncos’ lead to 26-25 at halftime.
The Pirates put together a very strong third quarter, outscoring San Juan 19-12 to seize a 44-38 lead. The Broncos went to work in the fourth quarter, outscoring Green River 15-10 but their rally fell just short in a heartbreaking 54-53 loss.
Nieves again led scoring for San Juan with 17 points on the night. Tripp Palmer had 15 points and Ivins scored seven. McNaughtan, Duke, and Cash Palmer all added four points apiece and Knight rounded out Bronco scoring with two points.
Nieves connected for two three-point baskets and Tripp Palmer hit one. Ivins led with 11 rebounds, Nieves had eight, Knight pulled down six, and Tripp Palmer collected five. Palmer led with four assists while Ivins and Duke had two apiece.
The loss was a tough pill to swallow after the season-opening win against Wayne, and the Broncos won’t have a chance to redeem themselves until after Thanksgiving.
They’re next on the court on Wednesday, December 4 when the Millard Eagles pay a visit to Blanding. It will be the first San Juan High School Hoops broadcast of the season on Redrock 92 and StreamUtah.Live with the opening tip set for 7 p.m.