Riverton tallied a stellar season

RIVERTON — Just a few years into its existence, Riverton High is developing quite nicely, thank you.

The Silverwolves just wrapped up a second-place season that saw the fairly new school lose by only two points to neighboring Bingham in the 5A championship game.

"It was a great season," said Riverton coach Steve Galley. "This was one of the most enjoyable group of kids I've ever coached. I have nothing but good feelings about what we accomplished."

Similar finishes, if not better, are sure to come.

The Wolves enjoyed a remarkable run to a 20-5 record after losing their best player to UNLV. But when Joe Darger left, another star was ready to step in.

Big men Mike Larsen (6-foot-8) and Joe Grim (6-7) capably patrolled the paint and made Riverton a team to be reckoned with, and 6-6 guard Quin Campbell also gave opponents headaches with his long body and 9.6 points per game.

Larsen and his 12.7 points per game are gone now. So is Campbell.

But Grim will keep Riverton basketball in good hands for another year.

The 5A first team all-stater averaged 17.4 points per game and will be getting plenty of attention from college recruiters over the next year.

Other than that, the Wolves will have to hope for some quick development out of the junior varsity ranks. There were nine seniors on the varsity roster. Grim was the only underclassman to see significant action.

The rest of the underclassmen combined for just 37 points over 25 games.

Coach Steve Galley will likely lean on guard Steven Galley to help the team out next year. The coach's kid showed savvy at times and will be asked to help run the team and feed the ball into the paint where Grim will be waiting.

Still, the challenge facing Riverton is completing the task of stepping out of Bingham's shadow.

After splitting from the school six years ago, the Wolves have had their share of success in sports. Bingham, however, is still the school with all the tradition and the loaded trophy case.

A runner-up finish, though, is nothing to dismiss easily. Riverton, with the development of quality young players buying into a system that has seen the team grow from nothing to title contenders, may be catching up to the Miners sooner than many ever expected.

"Next year is a real fun challenge. We've got a great player with a lot of experience returning. He's the kind of player that makes everybody around his better," Galley said, referring to Grim.

"But our offseason this year is very important," he added. "We have to get kids ready to step in there."

Riverton boys basketball 2005-06 season recap

Overall: 20-5

League: 7-3, 2nd Reg. 3

State: Lost in 5A finals

Nov. 22 — Riverton 89, Timpanogos 74

Nov. 29 — Riverton 61, Hillcrest 36