BYU basketball: Haws studied Emery's game as a youngster

PROVO — When Tyler Haws was in eighth grade, he watched and learned everything he could about Lone Peak basketball. He sat on the bench with the coaches and players, keeping track of statistics during games, and he even rode on the team bus on road trips.

The Knights' star player at that time was senior Jackson Emery, who led Lone Peak to a state championship in 2005 and earned Deseret News Mr. Basketball recognition before moving on to BYU.

The following year, Haws began his four-year Lone Peak career, which included two state titles and a pair of Deseret News Mr. Basketball honors of his own.

Now Haws, a true freshman, and Emery, a junior, are starting guards on a BYU squad that is ranked No. 14 in the country and riding a 13-game winning streak. The 18-1 Cougars host Wyoming tonight (6 p.m., The mtn.).

"I watched him a lot when I was in eighth grade," Haws said of Emery. "I always admired how hard he played and how he competed. Those are things I've tried to emulate in my game. Playing with him is really cool. I'm still learning from him. It's cool to have the Alpine area represented here."

No doubt, BYU has benefited from the Lone Peak pipeline. Haws and Emery are proud of their high school roots and say their time spent under coach Quincy Lewis helped prepare them for the rigors of Division I basketball.

"Quincy is incredible. He develops you as a player," said Emery. "More than anything, he makes you understand that you can play at a high, competitive level. I think that's why he's had so much success. Coming to this next level is really different. I was prepared when I came here. Some people call Lone Peak a prep school of BYU. I don't look at it that way, but there has been some great players come out of there."

Emery has been impressed with the way Haws, who is averaging 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game, has performed in his first season.

"I knew Tyler was really talented," he said. "The big thing with him is, he's got a great work ethic and he plays really hard. He learns every day. From our first game until now, he's made an even bigger step."

With its proximity to Provo and the fact it has been one of the state's most successful basketball programs over the past five years, Lone Peak has been fertile recruiting ground for BYU.