THOUGH THE HAVE NOTS outnumber the haves in terms of winning state titles, this year's Deseret News Most Valuable Players are champions in their own right - each contributing mightily to their team's success.
Dotting the map from Salt Lake city southward to Beaver, Junction and St. George, the Fab 5 headline the 1995-96 Deseret News All-State high school basketball class.Honorees were chosen by a vote of the state's basketball coaches - ballots were sent to each school.
Every 5A, 4A, 3A, and 2A coach participated, as did 73 percent in 1A. Overall, 174 players were nominated.
First team honorees (six in Class 4A because of a tie) will join two-time Mr. Basketball, Jeff Johnsen of Murray, along with the girls' all-state squad, at an awards luncheon Saturday, March 23, at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan is the featured speaker.
This year's MVPs - drum roll, please - will also be honored.
5A - MORGAN SMITH, Brighton
Coach Jim Jimas wasn't surprised this talented junior rose to prominence on a team decimated by injuries.
"I had all the confidence in the world in him. I knew we had a special player in Morgan," he said. "He had a great year and was there every game for us. He really stepped it up."
With returning all-stater David Nielsen sidelined with a back injury, Smith became the Bengals' scoring leader. His efforts on both ends of the floor helped Brighton build toward Nielsen's late return and the 5A state championship drive.
"He just has a way of making the big plays when you need them" said Jimas.
Case in point: His game-high 22 points in the state finals against Davis.
A surprise? No way, said Jimas.
"I thought all along he had all-state potential."
4A - DAN STEWART, East
Until this big redhead and his friends came along, 15 years had passed since the Leopards had participated in a state championship game. Averaging a double-double - 17 points and 10 rebounds - Stewart proved to be a very versatile performer.
`All year long he was a guy we counted on," said East coach Kerry Rupp. `He's as good as any kid I've had down low and the nice thing is he can also shoot from the outside."
In East's double-overtime loss to Murray in the state finals, Stewart led all scorers with 32 points - a solid end to a commitment toward conditioning and improving his game.
"Danny really set an example with his work ethic," said Rupp. "Once the ball goes up, watch out, he'll come after you.
3A - ROBBIE RIGNELL, Dixie
Though his Flyers fell short in the championship game against Lehi, Dixie's center of attention made the grade. Not surprising, considering the 6-foot-6 standout is an honor student. Rignell carries a similar approach to the basketball floor, where he shot an astounding 66 percent from the field.
"Every time he got the ball in the post, he had three people on him - sometimes four." said Dixie coach Ken Robinson. The Flyers improved in each of the three years Rignell started. They moved from consolation champs his sophomore year to a third-place finish in '95 before reaching the finals earlier this month.
"You don't get guys like him every year," Robinson said. "He's an excellent basketball player and a great person."
2A - JUSTIN BRADSHAW, Beaver
A two-time state champion in cross country, this 5-foot-9 guard is a basketball junkie - playing whenever, wherever and with whomever he can.
"I think he's a great example of what can happen when you work, sacrifice and dedicate yourself to your dream," said Beaver coach Cal Albrecht. "He's one of a kind."
While others were cruising Main Street, Bradshaw was working on his game. The result? A 30.7 scoring average, 57.8 percent shooting from 3-point range and 118 steals. Oh, and don't forget, six assists and a low turnover ratio.
"The thing that's been most impressive to me is his consistency," said Albrecht.
And speaking of such, though the Beavers did place a disappointing fourth at state, Bradshaw's efforts did keep Beaver in the thick of things until the very end.
1A - LEX ALLEN, Piute
Wanna speak to the man in charge? In Junction, the buck stops with this year's MVP
"He's kind of a silent leader. Doesn't say much until he has to," said Piute coach Kennedy Sylvester. "But everyone knows he's the boss of the team. He has respect."
Blessed with a quick first step, Allen led state champion Piute in scoring and steals. All the more impressive when considering he overcame a serious elbow injury several years ago, which altered the athletic career of the once-promising pitcher.
"Everything just kind of fell into place," said Sylvester.
As a basketball player, Allen earned a starting spot as a sophomore. He evolved into Piute's go-to guy, but his focus remained on team success.
And in the end, it all worked out.
*****
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Most Valuable Player
Class Name School Height Position Year Game averages
Mr. Basketball JEFF JOHNSEN MURRAY 6-5 Forward Jr. 22.2 pts., 8.3 reb.
5A MVP MORGAN SMITH BRIGHTON 6-5 Forward Jr. 18.2 pts., 6 reb
4A MVP DAN STEWART EAST 6-8 Forward Sr. 17 pts., 10 reb,
3A MVP ROBBIE RIGNELL DIXIE 6-6 F-C Sr. 16.4 pts., 7.4 reb,
2A MVP JUSTIN BRADSHAW BEAVER 5-9 Guard Sr. 30.7 pts., 6.3 apg.
1A MVP LEX ALLEN PIUTE 6-0 Guard Sr. 17.6 pts., 7.1 reb.
*****
First teams
CLASS 5A
Name School Height Position Year Game averages
MICHAEL VRANES Taylorsville 6-3 Guard Sr. 19 pts., 3 reb.
TRAVIS HANSEN Mtn. View 6-5 Guard Sr. 18.4 pts., 7.4 reb.
NATE KNIGHT Alta 6-9 Center Sr. 21 pts., 13 reb.
DAVID NIELSEN Brighton 6-3 Forward Sr. 12.2 pts., 5 reb.
TYLER FINLINSON Davis 6-4 Forward Sr. 13.9 pts., 6.4 reb.
CLASS 4A
Name School Height Position Year Game averages
VANCE ROBERTS, Mtn. Crest 6-7 Center Sr. 23 pts., 8 reb.
CORY CARLSTON, Murray 5-9 Guard Sr. 5.7 apg., 2.3 steals
BRITTON JOHNSEN, Murray 6-8 Center Jr. 16 pts., 9.1 reb.
CRAIG SORENSEN, East 6-0 Guard Sr. 11 pts., tough defender
JOSH DAVIS, Sp. Fork 6-8 C-F Sr. 16 pts., 11 reb., 4 blocks
BRETT TARBET, Sky View 6-3 Post Sr. 16 pts., 7 reb.
CLASS 3A
Name School Height Position Year Game averages
LANCE MAGNUSSON Lehi 6-4 Forward Sr. 10 pts., 5.5 reb.
ANDY OLDROYD Richfield 6-5 Forward Sr. 17 pts., 6 reb.
BEN LINDQUIST Pine View 6-3 Forward Jr. 22 pts., 6 reb.
AARON MILES Cedar City 6-7 Forward Sr. 14.5 pts., 9.8 reb.
ADAM EWELL Emery 6-5 Forward Sr. 17.1 pts., 8.9 reb.
CLASS 2A
Name School Height Position Year Game averages
KURT BOSSHARDT North Sevier 5-6 Guard Sr. 13.5 pts., 5.6 apg.
RICH ANDERSON Manti 5-11 Guard Sr. 14 pts., 7 assists
MIKE BARTON Manti 6-5 Center Sr. 16 pts., 11 rebounds
CASEY GLOVER Kanab 5-10 Guard Sr. 18 pts., 6 assists
STEVE FREESTONE Monticello 6-5 F-C Sr. 19 pts., 10.2 reb.
CLASS 1A
Name School Height Position Year Game averages
SHAY PRICE Tabiona 5-7 Guard Jr. 17 pts., 8 assists
BILLY HOOPES Duchesne 6-2 Forward Sr. 17 pts., 12 reb.
RILEY ROBERTS Piute 6-2 Forward Sr. 13.6 pts., 7.9 reb.
BRYCE BLACKWELL Piute 6-0 Guard Jr. 13 pts., 51 steals
BRAD LAING Wayne 6-5 F-G Jr. 20.1 pts., 13.7 reb.
*****
Second teams
CLASS 5A
Name School Ht. Pos. Year
MIKE PUZEY Roy 6-10 C Sr.
DEAN CRANDALL Viewmont 6-0 G Sr.
MATT SPARROW Weber 6-4 F Sr.
CHAD KING Layton 6-2 G-F Sr.
JAKE BRIAN Fremont 6-0 G Sr.
CAMERON KOFORD Fremont 6-11 C Sr.
BEN CURTIS West Jordan 6-5 G Sr.
JAKE SHOFF Viewmont 6-7 F-C Jr.
PAT WILLIAMS Bountiful 6-2 G Sr.
JOSH GRIFFETH Brighton 6-6 C Sr.
CODY SKINNER Viewmont 6-5 G Sr.
CLASS 4A
Name School Ht. Pos. Year
CASEY BLACKER Box Elder 6-4 F Sr.
CHAD KNIGHT Sky View 5-10 G Sr.
T.J. HART Mountain Crest 6-3 G Sr.
KEVIN PETERSON Box Elder 6-0 G Sr.
JASON SOTO Judge 5-9 G Sr.
MARK LARSEN Box Elder 6-3 G Sr.
MEKELI WESLEY Provo 6-9 C Jr.
TREVOR WILSON Cyprus 6-3 G Sr.
DUSTIN TANNER Springville 6-5 F Sr.
CLASS 3A
Name School Ht. Pos. Year
JEFF DAVENPORT Union 6-3 G Jr.
WES COSTA Richfield 6-2 F Jr.
BRADY FARR Wasatch 6-3 G Jr.
BRADEN COOPER Lehi 6-1 G Soph.
LUKE MAGNUSSON Lehi 6-6 C Jr.
TYLER TURNER Lehi 6-2 G Sr.
JAKE MARIN Cedar City 5-11 G Sr.
JEFF JAUSSI Uintah 6-2 F Sr.
JAMES KILLPACK Emery 6-6 C Sr.
WADE JENSEN Delta 5-10 G Sr.
MARK PITTS Wasatch 6-3 F Sr.
CLASS 2A
Name School Ht. Pos. Year
TYLER TAYLOR North Sevier 6-4 C Sr.
MONTY JONES San Juan 6-1 G-F Sr.
JOSH HOLLINGSHEAD Beaver 5-11 G Sr.
NATHAN KING Gunnison 5-11 G Sr.
STEVE KNUDSEN Gunnison 6-2 F Sr.
BRANDON RASMUSSEN N Sevier 6-0 F Sr.
A.J. MEXICAN San Juan 6-7 C Sr.
LANDON DAY Monticello 6-3 F Sr.
JEREMY SHUMAN North Summit 6-4 F Sr.
BRIAN BARTHLOMEW Millard 6-0 G Sr.
CLASS 1A
Name School Ht. Pos. Year
RYAN PARSONS Green River 6-3 F Sr.
TYLER BARNEY Panguitch 6-2 F Sr.
DALLON FIELDSTED Altamont 5-10 G Sr.
GARRIK JONES Enterprise 5-10 G Sr.
JED KELLY Dugway 6-0 G Sr.
TREVOR FORDHAM Wayne 6-3 C Sr.
GARRETT COTTAM Escalante 6-2 C Sr.
T.J. FARNSWORTH Altamont 6-7 C Jr.
MICHAEL GRAY ICS 6-5 C Sr.
DUSTY BARNSON Escalante 5-9 G Sr.
*****
5A Honorable mention
Tim Erickson, Granger
Adam Gallagher, Granger
Ted Hollist, Davis
Jeff Kindred, Brighton
Brian Matthews, Hillcrest
Paul Sackolwitz, Northridge
Ben Warden, Davis
Nic Sparrow, Weber
Bryce Haslem, Mtn. View
Danny Thomas, Roy
4A Honorable Mention
Tony Brown, Mtn. Crest
Matt Lowe, East
Brady Banks, Sp. Fork
Tony Giovacchini, Judge
Zach Starr, Pl. Grove
Dan White, West
David Evans, Woods Cross
Zach Green, Olympus
Charlie Iorg, Pl. Grove
3A Honorable Mention
Josh Terry, Richfield
Tyler Roberts, Dixie
Brandon Burke, Emery
Mark Davis, Wasatch
David Behnke, Park City
Coty Bundy, Dixie
Mike Christofferson, Lehi
Trent Moss, Snow Canyon
Danny Wheeler, Hurricane
2A Honorable Mention
Mike Cox, Manti Kenny Lindsay, Parowan
Cory Jones, North Summit
Luke Flockerzi, Rowland Hall
Luke Gines, South Summit
Jeremy Peterson, North Sevier
Ryan Randall, Morgan
Courtney Tuttle, Millard
Aaron Boone, Millard
Charlie Greenland, Kanab
1A Honorable Mention
Rick Goulding, Valley
Brandon Casper, Tabiona
Ben Benavidez, Dugway
Jeremy Withers, Panguitch
Brody Candiloria, St. Joe's
Tyler Berensen, East Carbon
A.C. Rust, Altamont
Doug Jarvie, Manila
Jared Turnbow, Tabiona
Jay Murphy, West Desert