Basketball season is in full swing for the Malad Dragon team as they played out their first week of their 2025-2026 season.  The full weekend of games on their home court ended in their favor as they counted up two wins and a loss.  

Head Coach Zack Beutler commented on the games saying, “It was a great week of basketball for the boys program. We went 7-1 on the week against some exceptional programs. We are pleased with the boys and the way they performed.”

In their first game of the season and home opener, the Dragons hosted the Rich Rebels from Randolph, Utah.  The Rebels came out to lead in the first quarter, the Dragons falling to a 9-23 deficit as the quarter ended.  But making adjustments and using their bench to the fullest, the Dragons began a small comeback as they played through the second quarter.  

Dawsyn Beutler started the scoring for Malad as he hit a deep corner shot off a baseline inbounds play.  Beutler hit another three as the MHS team came down the floor, the Dragons breaking easily breaking the press with a pass to Easton Green at center court.  He dribbled down into the key drawing the defense to him.  Green kicked the ball out to Braun Nalder in the corner, but seeing Beutler open he passed it on, Beutler draining the shot.

Rich went on a run, making basket after basket with the Dragons unable to shut them down.  Calling a time out to refocus, Malad was able to toughen up both their offense and defense through the final moments of the quarter.   Ky Willie, Nalder and Green worked together to tally a few extra points before pausing at the half.   

Malad came out firing in the third quarter, Carter Carey hitting a lay up off the quick pass from Oak Smith at the short corner.  Nalder hit a three followed by another scoring drive by Carey.  Slowly but surely, the Dragon offense chipped away at the Rebel 13 point lead, Green tying the score at 54 with a made free throw as they ended the third quarter.

The final quarter was a high scoring period for both teams.  They opened it trading layups at both ends, but it was the made “and one” shot by Nalder that gave Malad the small lead over Rich.  Eventually the teams were tied against at 65 but Oak Smith inched the MHS score ahead with a contested block shot off the inbounds play.  

For several more minutes, the two teams traded shots and points until Green put the Dragons up by the 3 points with his made lay up and free throw.  Desperate for the ball, the Rebels began fouling the MHS team, Nalder going to the line multiple times.  Sinking 3/4 free throws in the final seconds of the game, the Dragons extended their lead to 4 points.  Rich attempted one last effort to score before the time expired but with the MHS defense in their way, the effort fell short, Malad winning 80-76.

The following night, the Dragons hosted the midstate Parma Panthers, starting with a strong lead in the first quarter 17-13.  The two teams hit a dry spell for the first minutes of the second quarter but finally began to extend their lead with shots by Justin Toone, Willie, Green, Nalder and Carey.  Lengthening their lead to 15 points, Malad went up 35-20 with just under a minute on the clock.   

Parma worked hard to out hustle and out play Malad in the second half.  The Panthers great efforts brought them back in the game, coming up short by just two points in the final moments of the game.  Over the last half of the game, Parma managed to outscore Malad 45-32.  Fortunately their second quarter push put them out of reach to even the Panther’s best effort.

While he had a more quiet night in their opening game, Carey played a crucial role in their second game of the weekend as he added 21 points to the MHS score to lead the Dragons.  Green followed with 12.  In reverse order, the two also led in rebounds, Green pulling down 12 with Carey adding 10.  Willie led the team in assists with an impressive 8, the team tallying 21 altogether.   

To close out the weekend, Malad hosted the New Plymouth Pilgrims early Saturday afternoon.  The strong, talented team from the 3rd district came out to take command of the game, 13-7.  The deficit wasn’t too much for the Dragons but as they came out in the second half, the Pilgrims continued to outpace the MHS.  Going into the half time, Parma led, 25-14.  From there the New Plymouth team continued to surge ahead to claim the final win 59-40.

The two wins were just what Malad needed to start the season on a positive note.  Even the loss gave positive points for the Dragons to improve on.  The Dragons’ schedule next has them playing in the Ririe Bulldog shootout, playing three days of back to back basketball that undoubtedly be a strong experience for the MHS team.