Deseret News | High school boys basketball: Bears cap perfect preseason with win over Hunter

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High school boys basketball: Bears cap perfect preseason with win over Hunter

Anonymous | 12:51 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I attended this game. Bear River was lucky to pull this one out. That last 3 Poole hit with a few seconds left was ridiculous. Once the foul was called he walked to the bench and ducked down during the free throws. Poole torched BR all night and not one of them thought to find him on that play. It was pretty funny actually to see how he was hiding from BR and they didnt catch him. Good job Poole. Anyways...BR will win it all cause they play 3a. They beat one of the weakest and one dimensional 5a teams. Put them up against 90% of 5a teams and they will lose. I went to the game to see if BR was for real and for how much you guys have talked them up...I was not impressed.

BR Fan in MS | 5:36 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Anonymous, do you not understand why they have classifications in High School? No kidding most 5A teams would be a 3A team. You probably are a BYU fan too, with your stupid comments.

Re: Anonymous | 6:26 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Poole played horrible up to the fourth quarter. He only had eight points plus four fouls. He spent most of the third quarter on the bench. I don't think you really went to the game. Bear River had their worst shooting night of the year, but their defense is still solid and that's what pulled them through. If anything, they proved they were an even better team because they can still win even when they have a crappy game. They shot their lowest percentage from the field this season, did not score a three-pointer (only shot 3), and their free-throw percentage down the stretch was pathetic. They still could stay with any 5A or 4A school in the state.

Comments continue below

lucky? | 6:46 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I've noticed that the more you practice the luckier you get.
THE team that is lucky enough to make their free throws almost always wins.
the team that is lucky enough to get questionable calls consistantly go their way is almost always the winner-unless the refs are trying to avoid huge blow outs.
The team that is LUCKY enough to have super star players stay where they live and not transfer to a super power school win the state most years.

schools that consistantly draw the best players are lucky enough to be exempt from UHSAA rules or just plain rich enough to hire top coaches then keep UHSAA off their backs!

The team that has less injuries is lucky-plus better conditioned to avoid those injuries!

The PLAYER that is lucky enough to be blessed with talent AND height still has to put in the hours on the floor and in the gym above and beyond what normal kids do to become a superstar.

bottom line -one team losses and the other wins-that's basketball. Luck is there for sure but the better prepared team is almost always luckier !

nice game but | 7:06 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

let's not start acting like foolish BYU fans did after they blew away UCLA and start start claiming they were #1 in the nation! getting too full of your self and overconfident from a weak schedule can bring you down! (look at BYU's record last 5 games they played.) a little humility is on order here I think.
you beat a bottom team in 5a barely--that doesn't mean you could beat even midlevel or up 4a and 5a teams.
BEAR River will probably take state in 3a but CERTAINLY does not have the talent to hang with the top 4a or 5a teams.
get real little brothers!

Re: BR fan in MS | 9:12 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I understand exactly why they have classifications in High School, do you? Classifications are based on enrollment size, not talent. I said what I said because of all you BR fans claiming you can hang with any team in the state regardless of classification. I actually did attend the game, sat behind the hoop where BR shot in the second half. Had a perfect view of Poole hiding from BR at the end of the game. BR should be given credit where credit is due. They are 10-0 and that is a great accomplishment for any team to do. Good job. However, did you not see what WJ did to Tville?? WJ would slaughter BR and they arent the only ones who would. And no, im not a BYU fan.

realist | 9:16 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

wood's cross beat a 5 a school Viewmont easily by 13 -who then lost to LONE PEAK by only ten-Does that mean WX can beat every 5a team in the state? not likely!
Wood's cross beat 5a Hillcrest who the same week beat Judge-a perenial power that has beat top 4 and hung with the top 5a schools in the past.
does that mean wx is top in the state? I don't think so!
WX was beating CYPRUS 80-37 before they pulled all their starters again and beat them by 85-48--does that mean wx is best in the state because they easily chewed up and spit out a crummy 4a school? even the most brain dead yewt or loony Y fan wouldn't jump to that conclusion.
so be happy where you are bear river and save the crowing about hanging with the best 4a or 5a in the state for your adoring little chicks at school who don't know any better!

To anon | 9:49 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I think it's foolish of you to judge BR on the worst statistical game they have played all year. They have more than proved they can hang with some great 4A and 5A teams with quality (QUALITY!!!) wins over Timpview, who was ranked in the top 5 in 4A when they played, Skyview, Box Elder twice,

stats | 10:33 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

maybe the worst statistical game bear river cubs played all year was because in 5a even the worst teams have defenses able to hang with the best 3a has to offer!Poole hiding then getting the uncontested three was an example that you are not as superior as you think.I doubt he would have fooled any top 4a or 5a teams with that perfectly legal PLAY.
sO -watch and learn from the mistakes the Y made in football-they let their wins over weak teams go to their heads, got over confident then made stupid mistakes trying to catch up when their false sense of superiority caused them to think that they could play half speed then catch up later. Beck was unintercepted for a few games so he made REALLY stupid passes into coverage. That's what ruined the y's season. They let up and made stupid mental mistakes TRYING TO CATCH UP!.
IF YOU FAIL to learn from other's mistakes, little bear river cubs, you'll no doubt face humiliation at the hands of
those who would like nothing better than to throttle your crowing!
you have the talent to win 3a-don't blow it!

Anonymous | 10:35 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I said BR deserves credit where credit is due. They are a very good team. I just said they couldnt hang with the big boys of 4a and 5a like all BR fans are saying. Lets look at quality. Timpview (5-4) lost to same Snow Canyon team that Hunter beat, best win is Pine View. Box Elder (4-5, 4-3 outside of 2 losses to BR) good team, best win is Hunter. Skyview (6-3) best win is CH, beat same St. George teams as Hunter. Great 4a and 5a teams? Hardly. Its impressive you won all those games, but those teams are not great 4a and 5a teams. Clearfield, Davis, Skyline, Jordan, Alta, Riverton, West Jordan, Bingham, Copper Hills, Lone Peak, Lehi, PG, Provo, Orem, West, Mountain Crest are all teams that would beat BR.

to Anon | 11:25 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Ok Jay Drew you win.

Hunter | 11:47 a.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Either way Hunter should feel embarrassed they lost to a 3A team with half the enrollment and half the talent and half the coaching and half the athletic ability and half the whatever........

Bear River and U of U | 12:02 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I think Bear River deserves to be the top team in the state. They are undefeated!

Exactly the same logic to state U of U football should be #1 in the nation.

Bear River and UofU fans really have a lot in common.

Fred Schwartz | 1:06 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Bear River might not have the best talent in the state, but they play together better as a team than 95% of the teams in the state. You don't know who to guard because they always look for 1 more pass to someone else that's open. They play great defense and when you put the offensive unselfishness with the defense, I say they can play with anyone in the state. Unfortunately, they won't get a chance. Just like the BCS isn't it?

U fan | 1:32 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Not exactly. The U beat some pretty darn good ranked teams. Bear River hasnt beat anyone special. Almost any 5a team and many 4a teams could be undefeated with the schedule BR had.

BR Observer | 1:44 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

BR fans may be a little big headed. I know the players are not. They would love the chance to play some of those teams but those teams will not take the risk in the preseason. So BR is left playing them in spring and summer ball, during which they have beat: Clearfield, West Jordan or Jordan (I don't remember which), Copper Hills (3 times), PG, Mountain Crest, Brighton & Judge as well as Weber, Roy, Mountain View and others. They lost to Lone Peak by 8 pts and Skyline after playing 4 games earlier that day and Bingham by a couple of points. I am not saying BR is the best team in the state but they deserve the credit they are getting. This group is very talented. I have noticed that one of their weaknesses/strengths, over the past 8 years is playing to level of their competition. We will see how the rest of year progresses. Unfortnuately for BR they will not have the opportunity to face any more 4A or 5A teams so this is all a mutt point. Good luck to the top teams in all classes and may the best teams win.

ha ha ha | 1:47 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

The BCS is just a little bit different than High school basketball. If BR thought they were going to be so good, why didnt they schedule a 5a team a little tougher than Hunter? How bout some of you BR fans tell us all exactly who BR can and would beat.

Re: BR Observer | 1:59 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

BR has great talent, but since when does spring and summer ball matter? With running clocks, sudden death overtimes, and all the other differences in the games. Most teams arent even close to full strength during spring and summer games because they have multiple sport athletes. Im sorry but those games mean nothing now. To say that those teams wont take a risk completely not true. Look at the schedule West Jordan, Jordan, or any of those teams play for that matter. BR deserves to be ranked, but no higher than 10.

just a fan | 2:31 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Bottom line--the Bear River players and coaches are a great bunch of athletes, students, and young men who just want to play basketball together and make some great memories for their senior year. Unfortunately, sometimes the fans get a little worked up with it all. Congratulations to them for their hardwork and team unity and best of luck as the season continues!

the believer | 4:51 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

I have been watching these young men play for years and they have got me sold that they are were they are supposed to be, they have the talent of a 4a or even a 5a team. there are 8 seniors on that team that are leaders and want perfection and to prove that a small 3a school up north can play with the best of the best... OH and 6 of thier 10 wins were over 4a schools.

I Think | 6:18 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

People keep saying that bear river won and had there worst statistical game of the year. I think that just means that the defense of hunter stopped bear river from having a good game. Hunter being one of the worst teams in 5A is just as good as the best in 3A. NO you shouldn't be number 1 cause how many other teams are undefeated? Oh thats right Provo, they would pound bear river by at least 25 if not more

BR Observer | 7:16 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

The Hatred for BR on is amazing. No one with any common sense is saying BR would beat Provo. I realize that some of these comments are from students, so be it, but if it is adults shame on you.

I know summer ball does not mean anything. Unless you are a coach or AD trying to schedule donï¿½t comment on how hard it is for BR to get tougher games. This team has had a target on their back for years.

They are a good group of young men. They play a fun, clean style of basketball. They have gone one on one with the likes of CJ from PG, Haws from LP, Saldivar from Judge and others. I am NOT saying they are as good as all these players or their teams, but give them some respect. They held their own against them.

Would they lose to Provo or LP? Likely, but not by 25 points. ï¿½What Peter says about Paul says more about Peter than it does about Paul.ï¿½ Think about it. If you donï¿½t like BR go to the Tribune, they give us no credit at all.

BR Teacher from Jordan | 9:02 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

These BR boys could hang with the leaders in 5A this year. It's just a fact. As others have mentioned, they wouldn't be better than the best like Lone Peak or Provo, but they'd be near the top in any region in the state. These boys play technically sound basketball and they play with more frenetic energy on defense than almost any team I've ever seen in my 30+ years of closely watching high school basketball.

RE: Teacher | 9:19 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

How does that make any sense? You say that Bear River could hang with the leaders in 5A and then you say they aren't as good as Lone Peak and Provo who is 4A, those two teams are the leaders in 4A and 5A so what you are really saying is they could hang with the middle of 4A and 5A not the leaders.

BR Observer | 10:10 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

Not to speak for BR Teacher, but what I think they are saying is we concede that Provo and LP are the top two teams in the state, based on current and past records. But there are other top teams in 4A and 5A just look at the top 20 team in the state. We will never know what would happen in a LP/Provo vs BR matchup. It would be fun, just the talk hear speaks volumns.

BR deserves its #9 ranking and MAYBE even a little higher. You BR and 3A critics seem to think just because they are 3A and not in SLC or Utah County that it is impossible that they could be good and competitive. All the talent in the State does not live in those two areas.

BR, THIS YEAR, just happens to have 3 or 4 young men who COULD POSSIBLY play at the next level. Bronson is not the only one. They spread the wealth. Bronson is not even the leading scoring on the team right now (he's 2nd). There are 3 boys in double figures and one at 98pts through 10 games (9.8pts).

Give 'em RESPECT! | 10:14 p.m. Jan. 7, 2009

These great group of boys have played ten, rough, tough,hard games these last couple of weeks. How many teams can say that they are undefeated in their preseason play? Not a whole lot! Yes, we are a 3A High School. But why can't we get and credit that is DESERVED to BR for BEATING 4A & 5A schools? BEARS, GREAT JOB! Undefeated in preseason is a job well done! GOOD JOB boys and Coach Park!

br man | 6:22 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

I think that any loss by a 5a school to a 3a school should be an embarrassment to the big 5a school. Especially to a bunch of small town bear river boys. The big city schools ie.4a/5a all recruit from outside their boundries. If we little guys could do that then we could do away with classifications.

to: br man | 6:46 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

You state "The big city schools ie.4a/5a all recruit from outside their bounries."

Well, if that did happen then there would be no advantage to any school because they would ALL be doing it. There are many schools that don't recruit. LP's players over the years have been home grown. The last 2 championship years specifically. This year one young man moved in from Las Vegas. Hardly recruiting.

With that said, I do like the BR team. Their fans are obviously excited about them. I like what is happening there. You folks have done well on you marketing!

Regards.

Hunter fan | 7:24 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Just so you know, Hunter didn't have their other big time player. A.J. Patailli was out with pneumonia. If he was there it would have been a different game. He is unstoppable inside...

actually basketball player | 9:54 a.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Bear River played a good game. But to say that you can't base how good they are by one game because it was their worst game is stupid. Real players know that your shooting and team chemistry can change from game to game. Good teams play consistant basketball. So stop saying BR just had a ba game. Hunter just had a bad game too if ya want to say that.

Anonymous | 12:04 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

Hold on a minute all BR fans. Ive commented a few times on this blog. You all keep demanding the respect this BR team deserves. Who hasnt given them the respect they deserve??? BR deserves all the respect they are given from what they have done. They are most likely one of the top 3a teams this state has ever seen. Going undefeated in the preseason is tough no matter the classification. What you all want is the respect they dont deserve. BR is a great team that has beaten a few mediocre 4a and 5a teams. Respect for hanging with the big boys of 4a and 5a has to be earned before it is given. Its just too bad that BR wont have the opportunity to earn that respect. To use a similar analogy one of you BR fans used with the U of U, the U got very little national respect until they beat Alabama. It wasnt until then that the respect for hangin with the big boys came. Same for you.

Amazing inbound play | 4:16 p.m. Jan. 8, 2009

On the Bears last inbound play of the game they did a double pass to get the ball. It was amazing and worked wonders. Has anyone ever seen anything eles like that before? I never had. Good quick thinking Coach Park. I enjoyed it.

Hold on | 10:58 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Before we talk size BR is as bad as anyone. There were a mere 20 students short of being 4a. Which would mean much less travel. We would be with the 3 logan school Box Elder and a couple Ogden schools. However we ran away. Maybe we are waiting to fall apart like football. Basketball myst have some advantages like football use to.

other guy | 12:33 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

whoever keeps commenting on these really needs to get a life. i mean come on! What would posses a human being to bash a schools football program when we are talking about basketball?? Get a life loser

Blue Crew | 4:06 p.m. Jan. 9, 2009

not to throw a wrench into this uplifting conversation, but maybe bear river is a good team that beat another good team in hunter. Your all assuming that bear river beat the terrible hunter teams of the past, hunter could have won that game. Praise to both teams for gettin on that court and givin it their best. Dont underestimate the Hunter High Wolverines.

BLUE CREW #2 | 11:42 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

NOT ONLY DID A.J. SIT OUT BUT MAJIC WAS OUT WITH INJURY TO EYE. NO EXCUSES THOUGH, GOTTA PLAY WITH WHAT YA GOT. WHEN WE ARE HEALTHLY THEN WE CAN SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE JEFF HE'LL ALWAYS DELIVER.

Reply to Hold On- jan 9th | 4:49 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

How positive are you on your facts about 20 students short of 4A? I'm completely positive that just last week BRHS student enrollment dropped under 900. How's that for close to 4A?

alta fan | 9:21 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

wow you guys are ridicalous br is one of the best teams in the state they will hang with anyone theese kids are for real not to mention they have probably the best D in the state period.... you guys give them no credit 3a or not they are for real they will step on the court with any team anywhere anytime. and people have bashed on bronson for only having 6 ppg. but how many great assist does he have he makes great passes and gets the ball to the open guy he is a for real all around player..

fan | 9:30 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

the reason br doesnt have the greatest schedule in the world is cause no body will play them like mountain crest they stopped playing them because everytime mountcrest played br it was close down to the wire and it was usually 50 50 who won and when br won it messed up rankings for mc.. same with any other team in the state everyone would look right past br and would run past them no one can run with br in a fast break game look at what morgan tried to do against them tried to run with them.

Anonymous | 1:52 p.m. Jan. 20, 2009

Bronson averages 12 ppg. 3 assist 1.5 blocks and 6-7 reboounds a game he fills up the box score and highlightreal if you were at the ogden game that alley ooop was AMAZING! and the alley oop off the backboard against pine view was amazing also

BR FAN | 11:41 a.m. Jan. 23, 2009

YAH BEARS!!! :) WE LOVE YOU!! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

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