Boys Basketball
Luka Cecez, Cottonwood (Jr.)
One of the catalysts behind Cottonwood’s perfect 6-0 start to the season has been junior big man Luka Cecez.
Through six games this season, Cecez is leading the Colts in scoring (15.8) and blocked shots (5.2) and is second in rebounding (7.0).
Cecez helped lead Cottonwood to wins in Cache Valley last weekend over Logan, Sky View and Mountain Crest. He recorded a double-double in the Sky View win and then equaled a career high with 28 points in the win over Logan.
“Luka is a player that we can depend on every day to come ready to play. He is a skilled big man that can score inside and outside. As good as he is on offense, his defense is what has been a key to our success, as he leads the state in block shots,” said Cottonwood coach Marc Miller.
Cecez finished second on the team a year ago in scoring at 11.8 points per game and was voted a 4A all-state honorable mention.
Girls Basketball
Hayden Warren, Lehi (Jr.)
With a successful 3-0 weekend in Southern Utah, Lehi is the undefeated team in 6A and junior point guard Hayden Warren has been one of the catalysts to that hot start.
Even though Warren is only averaging 3.6 points per game, she’s averaging seven assists per game with just 11 combined turnovers in seven games. That outstanding assist-to-turnover ratio has been a big part of Lehi’s offensive success.
“This has made our team so much better as all our players have benefited greatly from her willingness and ability to distribute the basketball,” said Lehi coach Sean Seastrand.
“Beyond this, her defense has been exceptional as well. Her presence on both sides of the ball has helped our team settle into new roles and get out to a great start. I’m very proud of her unselfishness and team first mentality, and it’s trickled down to all our players’ approach to the game.”
Warren recorded a season-high nine assists in last Saturday’s 75-30 win over Crimson Cliffs.
Boys Wrestling
Tanner Telford, Corner Canyon (Jr.)
A year ago in the 120-pound final of the 6A state tournament, Layton’s Lander Bosh beat Corner Canyon’s Tanner Telford in a fantastic final, 7-6.
Fast forward to their much-anticipated rematch in last weekend’s 132-pound final of the Layton Invitational, and Telford got some revenge.
Telford beat Bosh 8-1 to win the 132-pound title and improve to 9-0 on the season.
“Tanner’s win in the finals on Saturday at the Layton Invitational should give him confidence to continue to trust his training,” said Corner Canyon coach Jeff Eure.
Telford finished last season with a 42-7 record.
Girls Wrestling
Avery Winterton, Salem Hills (Sr.)
Avery Winterton is off to a great start in her quest to repeat as state champion.
After winning the 5A individual state title at 145 pounds a year ago, Winterton has jumped out to an 8-0 start so far this season.
Last weekend Winterton went 3-0 at the Skyhawk invitational, winning all three matches with a first period fall. The championship match only last 26 seconds.
“Avery is an amazingly talented wrestler and she is always trying to improve and work on her match. She is a leader on and off the mat,” said Salem Hills coach TJ Brindley.
A year ago Winterton finished the season with a 45-4 record in a dominant junior season.
Boys Swimming
Thomas Chamberlain, Viewmont (Jr.)
Thomas Chamberlain is off to a great start as he looks to build off the momentum from a strong sophomore season.
A month into the season, Chamberlain owns top six times in the entire state in six different events.
His best performance so far came in the 200 individual medley before Thanksgiving as he posted a time of 1:55.04, the fastest time in Utah this year.
His time of 51.75 in the butterfly ranks second and his time of 1:46.91 in the 200 free ranks sixth.
“Thomas Chamberlain has emerged as one of our top performers this season, steadily dropping time in his individual events and leading the way on multiple relays,” said Viewmont coach Stephanie Breinholt.
“His consistency, strong work ethic, competitive spirit, leadership skills, academic achievement and drive are hard to match especially in someone who possesses such extraordinary humility.”
Girls Swimming
Ella Fuller, Snow Canyon (Fr.)
In her first month on Snow Canyon’s swim team, freshman Ella Fuller is making a huge impact in and out of the pool for the Warriors.
She set a new school record by six seconds in the 500 freestyle by posting a time 5:12.95 at the Greg Fernley Invite, which just happens to be the second-best 500 free time in the entire state early this season.
She also owns the best time in Utah in the 200 freestyle as she posted a 1:57.35 at the same Greg Fernley meet last month. The time is just two-tenths of a second off the school record.
“Ella is a freshman this year and has been a phenomenal addition to our team. Her hard work and contagious personality make her a key component to our girls team culture,” said Snow Canyon coach Max Barnett.
“She’s got a lot of great energy. Her strong start to the season is a testament to the work she has put in with her club coach, Mike Werner, whose training has played a key role before she joined SC Swim.”