Before heading into the winter break, the MHS boys basketball team traveled to Ririe to take on the Bulldogs, winning with a last second shot by Carter Carey to put them up 45-42.  With the loss fresh on their minds, Ririe made the trek south for their second game of the season Saturday,  January 3.  

The game started much like it did in Ririe, the defense giving little openings to either team to have scoring opportunities.  Both teams pushed the ball up the court, playing a fast paced, highly aggressive intense game of basketball.  Finally the shots began to fall on both ends of the court.  Malad managed to inch their way ahead, ending the opening quarter up 7-6.

The Dragons came out in the second quarter with a quick score, Carey putting up a jumper from the left side of the court after coming around baseline to make the catch from Easton Green at 

Carter Carey went coast to coast, finishing with a contested lay-in for Malad.

 the top of the key.  It took some time for the Bulldogs to respond, but it was with an outside shot to tie the game at 9.  Retaking the lead with another shot by Carey, the Dragons went up 12-9.  Ririe went on to hit four unanswered baskets, shifting control of the game in their direction.

Both offenses seemed to stall midway through the quarter until Malad put a two pointer through the net.  90 seconds left, they closed the gap on the scoreboard, trailing 19-17.  In the final seconds of the game, Carey put in a single free throw before Ririe laid in a fast break bucket to end the half up 23-18.

Ririe continued to lead on the scoreboard through the third quarter, going 15-8.  Their speed and physicality made each play a battle to move the ball, rebound, and score for the Dragons.  The MHS offense worked patiently for their plays to develop, working the ball around until they found an opening against the out of position defense.  

In one such instance, the narrowing shot clock became as much of a defender as the five Bulldog players on the court.  With only 4 seconds remaining, Ruger Smith popped out on the left wing, receiving the pass from his brother, Oak Smith.  Getting the shot off just before the time rang out, the shot sailed through the net just as Ruger was knocked down by the Ririe defender attempting to block the shot.  Now at the free throw line shooting a bonus shot, Ruger nailed the free throw, turning the timely shot into a 4 point play.

The following possession, Carey brought the ball down through the RHS defense, taking it straight to the hoop for an easy score, bringing them within 1 points, 24-25.  In the last two and a half minutes, Malad hit a dry spell, while Ririe went on a small run to end the quarter up 32-26.

Throughout the fourth quarter, the Dragons made an effort to dig out of the deficit they had found themselves in.  They often doubled their pressure on the ball, but that would also lead to a man open, turning into an easy score for Ririe.  They attempted big shots from the outside and attacks to the basket, but struggled to turn such efforts into scoring opportunities.  As the time ran out, it was clear it would be the Bulldogs that would claim this win, the final score Malad 35, Ririe 45.

It was a disappointing loss for the Dragons on their home court, especially after winning previously in Ririe.  Head Coach Zach Beutler shared, “Ririe is a big physical team.  We knew going in that it would be a battle. “We had a handful of defensive breakdowns that we’ve got to clean up. We turned them over 15 times to our 10. But we did a good job limiting them to 7 offensive boards.”

Recalling both their matchups as he commented, “We struggled to put the ball in the hoop in the game vs Ririe at their place and again here on Saturday. The guys are getting good looks in our actions, so we are confident we will settle back in.  It is great to go up against teams like Ririe to prepare us for league play.” 

Now just over four weeks into their regular season, Coach Beutler can see the results of the efforts the boys have been putting in over the last several months.  He simply put, “We are very pleased with the guys. The effort and attitude they bring to every practice and on game night is exceptional.”

The MHS boys basketball team will next play Tuesday, January 6 in Firth against the Cougars before hosting the Declo Hornets in their first conference game of the season on Saturday, January 10.

MHS vs Ririe

1 2 3 4 F

Ririe 6 17 15 7 45

MHS 7 11 8 9 35

# Name PTS REB AST STL BLK

0 Carter Carey 14 4 1 1 0

3 Ruger Smith 4 2 2 1 0

10 Oak Smith 4 2 1 1 0

12 Braun Nalder 2 2 2 0 0

15 Ky Willie 0 1 3 1 0

23 Easton Green 5 2 1 0 0

24 Justin Toone 6 6 0 2 2

TEAM TOTALS 35 19 10 6 2