With the completion of the 2026 basketball season, the Malad Middle School eighth-grade boys basketball team accomplished a feat that hasn’t been done in over two decades. The Malad Knights claimed their second straight district championship this season, marking the first time in 24 years a class of boys from Malad has won back-to-back middle school district titles.

Over the past two seasons, the Knights have put together an impressive run, compiling a combined 27–4 record. The team went 15–1 last year and followed it up with a 12–3 season this winter. With their only losses coming against larger 4A and 5A schools, the MMS team remained undefeated in district play both years—a remarkable accomplishment.

Malad’s dominance was on full display in the district tournament. The Knights rolled past West Side in the semifinal round, scoring 83 points to the Pirates’ 22, before defeating Grace 56–21 in the championship game to secure the title.

Coach Trisha Beutler marked the end of the season with a special gift, giving each player a keepsake—a 12-inch piece of hardwood floor with the word “Believe” printed across the front. The wood wasn’t just any flooring; it was cut from the basketball court that once sat inside the old Malad High School gym.

For this group of boys, that gym is where it all began. Years ago, when they were just eight years old, many of them spent countless hours in that building learning the fundamentals of the game while also being introduced to the values that would define their team. “Believe” became a word the team returned to often during their middle school years—belief in improvement, belief in goals, and belief in each other.

The coaches point to the growth of the team and how they set themselves apart through preparation and discipline. The Knights held 6 a.m. shootarounds on game days and practiced for two hours on days they didn’t play. Practices were intense and often included heavy conditioning, helping build the endurance needed for the team’s fast-paced style of play.

The discipline extended beyond the court as well. Players worked year-round on their game, participating in leagues, tournaments, and summer skill sessions. Some players logged more than 10,000 made shots during the offseason. During the season, the team eliminated soda and video games, turned phones in to parents at night, and followed routines focused on sleep, nutrition, and preparation.

Each player also kept a small notebook where they recorded something they were grateful for each day along with an act of service they performed.

On the court, the Knights emphasized unselfish play. As they worked their offense across the floor, they were encouraged not just to find an open shot, but the best shot—and to celebrate the team’s success found in each player’s moment.

In addition to their disciplined offense, the Knights’ defense became another defining trait. Playing strictly man-to-man defense—often full court—Malad held several opponents to single-digit scoring games throughout the season.

While many observers commented on the team’s athleticism, the coaching staff saw it differently. Most teams they faced were bigger, quicker, and more physically mature. What set the Knights apart was their discipline, teamwork, and willingness to do the difficult things other teams often avoid.

For the coaches, watching this group grow has been just as meaningful as the championships themselves. It has been a journey marked not only by victories, but by belief, hard work, and a group of boys learning what it means to succeed together.