Trekking to Ririe for the second time in just two weeks, the Malad Dragon basketball team competed in the annual Bulldog Shootout Tournament beginning on Thursday, December 12.  Over the three day tournament, the team played three games, taking on the Firth Cougars, the West Jefferson Panthers and the South Fremont Cougars.  The MHS team finished with a winning record, going 2-1 throughout the tournament.

Malad’s opening game with Firth proved to be a challenging one, starting with the injuries and illnesses the team was suffering.  Not only did it make the game itself a challenge because they weren’t feeling well, but many of the players weren’t able to practice and prep for the upcoming game.

The Cougars jumped to an early lead, getting 10-19 by the end of the first quarter.  The Dragons continued to struggle and were unable to close the gap on the scoreboard.  Coming back out at half, Malad’s defense was able to slow the scoring down as they allowed only two points until the final minutes of the third quarter.  Firth then had a series of scored buckets and began running away with the game again.  The final score of the game was Malad 45, Firth 65.

Matching up against West Jefferson in a back and forth game, Malad pulled out the last second win.  The game featured nearly ten lead changes as the two teams battled it out on the floor and on the scoreboard.

To begin the opening quarter, the Panthers knocked down multiple consecutive shots, largely unanswered by the Dragons, making it appear that they were pulling away with the game early on.  But the MHS team rallied back, bringing the score within two baskets to end the first quarter 14-17.

Coming out in the second quarter, Malad hit two quick baskets to tie the game back up before 30 seconds had ticked off the clock.  Easton Green snagged a big rebound with the put back, followed by Justin Toone with a rebound and block shot as well.  West Jefferson responded back with three more scoring shots over the next minutes to take the lead again.

Carter Carey came out firing not long after, racking up 8 points to catch them back up.  Zach Richardson facilitated the first shot, dribbling over to Carey for the hand off and screen to give him an open look at the basket to nail the outside shot.  Setting a cross pick, Brady Showell gave Carey the opening to score from the elbow before Richardson connected with Carey again on the arc for a second three pointer.

The Dragons were more than ready when they came out after the halftime break, taking the lead in the early minutes of the third quarter with a baseline inbound play scored by Green to tie it, and a made free throw by Showell to take them up by one.

Malad held on to their lead for most of the third quarter, getting up 36-33 with a drive by Brayzen Gibbs.  West Jefferson slowly carved away the small lead the Dragons had, hitting two free throws to swing the score in their favor.  

Understanding the urgency with every possession, Malad’s defense locked down, minimizing the scoring opportunities.  In addition to their high pressure defense, their defensive rebounding played a crucial part in the possessions of the game, not allowing the Panthers any second chance shots and turning those defensive wins into offensive wins as well.  

With almost two minutes remaining, Carey scooped up a big rebound, quickly moving into Dragon territory.  Richardson took off for their basket, getting wide to take the pass on the wing.  With two dribbles Richardson laid in the block shot while also getting fouled.  Hitting his free throw, Richardson took the lead for Malad once again.

But that lead was short lived as West Jefferson hit another two point shot as well as made two more free throws.  Malad managed one final scoring possession before the end of the quarter when Richardson skipped the pass across the court to Green on the outside of the key.  Green pivoted to face the basket, finding his defender blocking any chance of a shot.  Faking to the side, he quickly crossed over and banked the shot in to tie the game at 41 to end the third quarter.

The Panthers came out hard in the final period, getting up 49-43.  The Dragons adjusted to their lead with a switch into their man to man defense.  Despite getting down, the Malad offense patiently executed their offense, not willing to take any shot but waiting for the best shot possible.

Showell connected with Richardson as he rolled to the hoop after setting a screen for Green on the opposite side.  The two defenders that had stayed with Green came hustling back, but Richardson anticipated their move, dribbling against their momentum to burn past them for the layin in to bring the score 48-49.

At 1:39, Gibbs found himself on the free throw line after getting fouled on the rebound put back.  Hitting both shots, the Dragons were up again 50-49.  West Jefferson responded with a basket on their next possession.  Malad called a quick time out to set up a plan to score one final bucket and keep the Panthers from doing the same.

Set to execute, the Dragons missed their opportunity with West Jefferson getting the rebound.  The MHS team was determined to win this game and it was that extra effort that created a winning opportunity for them.  

As the Panthers began bringing the ball down the court, the Dragons set up in their high pressure, deny everything man defense.  Anticipating the pass and playing off just enough to coax it out of them, Green deflected the ball, tipping it ahead of him and towards Dragon territory.  Racing down the court with the ball, Green put up the layup, scoring the basket just as the Panther defense caught up.  

With 31 seconds left on the clock, there was still plenty of time for West Jefferson to score if Malad didn’t defend well.  Playing aggressively, Malad committed a series of fouls that worked in their favor to take time off the clock without costing them anything.  The Panthers were frantic to score as the time came to a close, getting off a rushed shot that bounced off the rim.  They secured the rebound and attempted a last second put back but the Dragons foiled their last attempt, winning the tight game 52-21.

Malad had one last game to play out Saturday, December 14 against the South Fremont Cougars.  It what became another close game, the Dragons secured the win in their final game of the tournament, winning 51-49.

Speaking on the tournament, Head Coach Zach Beutler shared, We had several players down with the flu the end of last week. They worked through weakness and discomfort and as hard as it was, we’re confident they learned from the experience.  By Friday evening the guys were feeling better and back to playing basketball.”

Ririe Bulldog Shootout Tournament

Malad vs First

Thursday, December 12 

Player PTS

Carter Carey 9

Easton Green 5

Braun Nalder 2

Brady Showell 3

Brayzen Gibbs 9

Justin Toone 4

Zach Richardson 13

Malad vs South Fremont

Saturday, December 14

Player PTS

Carter Carey 20

Easton Green 10

Brady Showell 9

Brayzen Gibbs 2

Justin Toone 2

Zach Richardson 8