Boys basketball
Rex Sunderland, Davis (Sr.)
Defending 6A state champions Davis hasn’t let up this season as it sits at a perfect 13-0 and the steady play of experienced guard Rex Sunderland has been one of the big reasons why.
So far this season he’s averaging 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 4.5 steals. The only category he doesn’t lead Davis is in rebounds.
He leads 6A in steals and ranks sixth in assists.
Last week in Davis’ 54-48 region-opening victory over Layton he was red shot shooting as he scored a career-high 30 points.
“Rex is our playmaker on both offense and defense. He leads the team in steals and scoring. He has developed into an amazing defensive player. He is also amazing off the dribble offensively. He breaks the defense down off the dribble and distributes the ball to make the correct basketball play. He is all this and remains an incredible teammate,” said Davis coach Chad Sims.
Girls basketball
Tina Njike, Skyline (Jr.)
A first team all-stater last year, junior Tina Njike has picked up right where she left off this season.
Njike ranks in the top 10 in 5A in scoring (16.0 ppg), rebounds (11.6 rpg) and blocks (2.1 bpg). She’s recorded a double-double in six games so far this season.
Last week in Skyline’s first two region games of the year, she recorded 13 points in a 58-47 win over Brighton and then three nights later scored 19 points as the Eagles rolled past Park City 74-35.
“Tina is an unbelievable athlete who works as hard or harder than anyone in the gym. She brings a vocal presence and a great attitude. She wants to get better, but more importantly, she wants her teammates to get better too because she understands that a team will always beat an individual. I have been the luckiest coach in the state, getting to work with her and learn from her, I wish her the best this year and next. She is a force to be reckoned with,” said Skyline coach Sam White.
Boys swimming
Tobler Dotson, Cedar (Sr.)
Tobler Dotson has enjoyed a great senior season so far, but the best could still be to come.
Heading into the final month of the season, Dotson owns a top three 4A time in six different individual events and the best and a 4A-best time in three.
“Tobler trains with unrelinquished determination, refusing to put in any less than his best. He has created a hardworking and uplifting culture at Cedar High School,” said Cedar City assistant coach Garrett Dotson.
Dotson owns the best time in 4A in the 200 individual medley (2:01.20), 100 butterfly (54.40) and 100 breaststroke (1:00.18). At state last year he finished second in the 200 IM and 100 breaststroke. The swimmer who edged him in both of those races is swimming in another classification as Dotson will head into the state tournament as a swimmer to beat in several events.
Dotson’s 100 breaststroke time this season ranks in the top 10 in the entire state.
Girls swimming
Kaylee Coats, Green Canyon (Sr.)
Kaylee Coats is tearing up the pool in 4A this year and will be one of the swimmers to beat when the state tournament rolls around next month.
Tobler owns the top time in 4A in four events this season and the second best time in a fifth event. Her 4A-best events are 200 individual medley (2:16.75), 50 freestyle (25.46), 100 freestyle (55.49) and 500 freestyle (5:32.88). She is the defending state champion in the 500 freestyle, and was the runner-up a year ago in the 200 freestyle.
“Kaylee is an awesome swimmer because she works hard, has a great attitude, is a great teammate and always exhibits great sportsmanship. She is always complimenting and encouraging her competition which is rare. Kaylee is always eager to learn and never backs down from a challenge,” said Green Canyon coach John Kane.
Coats’ 200 IM time ranks in the top 10 in the entire state this season.
Boys wrestling
Dillon Dick, Uintah (Sr.)
A state runner-up last year, Dillon Dick is having a great senior season as he looks to get over the last individual hurdle that’s eluding him.
Last week at the Tournament of Champions at Uintah High School, Dick dominated the field at 150 pounds as he rolled to the individual title improving his overall record this season to 26-3.
“Dillon has always been a talented wrestler but this year he has really focused on improving areas of his wrestling that are not as strong. It has been impressive how much he has improved this year as a senior and his hard work and focus have been phenomenal,” said Uintah coach Phillip Keddy.
Dick has been invited to participate in the Utah All-Star Duals at UVU this week for the second straight season.
Girls wrestling
Grace Holman, Juab (Jr.)
In her first year competing at the high school level, Juab junior Grace Holman is proving herself to be a very good wrestler.
Last week at the Tournament of Champions at Uintah High School, Holman pinned all three of her opponents to finish first at the 120-pound bracket. She also finished first this season at the Days of Thunder Tournament at Desert Hills High School and the Paul Williamson Memorial tournament in Parowan.
This week she’s been invitation to participate in the Utah All-Star Duals at UVU.
“Grace as a first-year wrestler is a mature, physically resilient and gritty wrestler, what most coaches would love to have with any of their wrestlers,” said Juab coach Billy Cox. “She is a state champion swimmer and is currently juggling both swimming and wrestling. She is the granddaughter of Delta’s legendary wrestling Coach Ladd Holman, and her dad Joel is the current coach of the Juab boys team that has won five state titles in a row.”