Emery, Van Brocklin sign to play at SLCC

Salt Lake Community College's men's basketball program picked up two of the state's top senior guards when Viewmont's Davis Emery and Davis' Connor Van Brocklin signed with the Bruins last week.

Emery and Van Brocklin won't need any introductions, as they've battled hard against each other in Region 1 the last couple of seasons.

They're also first cousins.

Emery's dad, Jeff, the Viewmont boys basketball coach, is the brother of Van Brocklin's mom, Allyson. Emery and Van Brocklin have played together on AAU teams in the past, but never in as meaningful of a situation as they'll find themselves at SLCC.

"It will be fun," Emery said. "We've talked about how it's weird that we get to go to college and play on the same team."

Both players were being looked at by a few programs. Emery said that he and Van Brocklin decided early on in the recruiting process that if they were offered a place at SLCC, they would commit and sign to play for the Bruins on the spot. SLCC, coming off a second-place finish in the NJCAA tournament, has a lot of holes to fill from this past season's team.

Emery and Van Brocklin are tight, and all the time they spent playing with and against each other on Van Brocklin's Sport Court will likely pay off for SLCC coach Norm Parrish.

"We have a good feel for each other and what we're going to do," Emery said.

The two players engaged in a friendly rivalry while competing for Viewmont and Davis. Emery said they would occasionally talk during their games. If they were ever seen laughing during the heated games between the two programs, it was because one was making fun of the other, or someone else on the court.

"It never really got too competitive," Emery said. "Connor is probably the least cocky kid you'll ever meet."

Both players hope to earn some playing time next season, and help the Bruins to another run at a national title.

"I think that both of them, really, have their best basketball ahead of them," said Jeff Emery.

POWERLIFTING TOURNAMENT AT BINGHAM: The annual state powerlifting championship for high school athletes will be held at Bingham High School Thursday at 4 p.m. It's free to the public and features about 300 of the state's strongest athletes.