Chemistry is big key to Silver Wolves' championship

OGDEN — In the middle of last season, the Fremont Silver Wolves lost their only senior and team leader to a season-ending injury. In the wake of such an important personnel loss, Fremont still managed to pull together despite having a team full of underclassmen.

Fast forward a year-and-a-half. Trailing to a pesky West Jordan team in the state championship game, the Silver Wolves did what they've been doing ever since they lost Erik Van Woerkom to injury last year — pull together.

And at the end of a see-saw title game, Fremont used its team chemistry to rise up again, edging West Jordan 50-48 on Saturday.

"No question," said Meyer when asked whether losing Van Woerkom helped develop chemistry. "We were so young last year. It helped."

Another factor that contributed to Fremont's tight-knit team was the fact that several of the players were also a part of the Silver Wolves' football team.

"We're so close," said center Joel Hancock, who quarterbacked Fremont during the fall. "We're best friends, and that really helps us on the court."

Hancock, who had seven points and six rebounds, was one of four Fremont starters that also played on the Silver Wolves' quarterfinal football team.

Hancock, Trevor Higley, Austin Raught and Austin Beus all started on the football team and provided heavy contributions for Fremont's basketball squad in the championship game.

"(We've been playing together) ever since we were little kids," said Raught, who played wide receiver and was a Deseret Morning News All-State selection.

Raught finished the game with 11 points and almost single-handedly put Fremont back into the game during the third quarter.

With his team trailing by five points, Raught scored eight-straight points and helped the Silver Wolves get back on track.

Fellow wide receiver and all-state selection Trevor Higley had 14 points.

While Higley acknowledged that the team's football exploits helped pull their basketball team together, he pointed out that team-leader Ryan Sanchez was still the key to forming that chemistry.

"He's a natural-born leader," said Higley.

Sanchez said that while the other starters were going through the rigors of football, he spent his time on the basketball court.

"I was in the gym the whole time," said Sanchez. " . . . I just tried to work with them. (after football finished)."

Fremont's unique chemistry also extended beyond the team. Virtually the entire team went straight for their mothers immediately after the final whistle. And they didn't just hug their own mother, either.

"They're our biggest supporters," said Higley. "You can't just hug your mom — you've got to hug everybody's mom."

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E-mail: drasmussen@desnews.com