Question marks surround rebuilt Bingham hoops teams

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Dec 20, 2007 | by Dan Rasmussen Deseret Morning News

SOUTH JORDAN -- With a couple of notable exceptions, there is an entirely new cast of characters inside Bingham High's basketball programs this winter.

Gone are six stars from Bingham's girls team that have moved on to collegiate athletics. Last year, they paced the Miners to a 5A state title. Gone also are the stars of Bingham's boys team. They propelled the Miners to a semifinal appearance last year and a 5A championship two years ago.

But it remains to be seen how this year's new cast will effect the production.

As Bingham girls coach Rand Rasmussen pointed out, every season is different and so is every team.

"I just want each group to reach their potential -- whatever that may be," he said.

It's the same story on the boys side, where coach Mark Dubach will aim to get his kids to play as well as they possibly can.

Even with that in mind, however, don't think that expectations for the Miners are any lower. Despite all the fresh faces, people still expect both of Bingham's teams to be major factors in Region 3 and down the road at the state tournament.

Here is a closer look at each:

BOYS: From top to bottom, this Bingham boys team is entirely different than its predecessor.

Not only does it feature a completely different set of players, but the Miners have also incorporated a new style of play.

"We're a very different team," said senior guard T.J. Ford. "We're a lot smaller, but we feel like we have the athletes to win games."

Because Bingham is a lot smaller -- or quicker, depending on your point of view -- the Miners have been playing a much more up-tempo offense this season. There is an emphasis to get the ball down low to varsity newcomer Ben Clifford, but Bingham isn't afraid to fly up and down the court.

"We're trying to play a style that's beneficial to our kids," said Dubach.

Depending on how you look at it, you could argue that Bingham has no returning contributers from last year's semifinal team. When asked to list his returning contributers, Dubach said he didn't have any. While Ford, Kyle Harrison and Parker Jenkins did see quite a few varsity minutes last winter, you can see his point.

However, once it emerges from a very difficult preseason schedule, expectations will nonetheless remain high for the Miners. "Bingham's all about tradition," noted Ford.

According to Harrison, this year's senior class wants to prove it belongs alongside Bingham's previous groups.

"No one expected anything from our age group," said Harrison, who averaged 4.8 ppg and 2.5 rebounds-per-game last year "and we just kind of want to prove everybody wrong."

Look for Ford, Harrison, Jenkins and Clifford to help lead the way, and Dubach will aim to build around those four.

GIRLS: Bingham's girls team hasn't wasted any time trying to "replace" the star athletes that helped the Miners to a 5A state championship a season ago. That's an impossibility.

Instead, Bingham has spent time focusing on trying to make this year's edition of its team as strong as possible.

One player, however, that doesn't replacing is senior forward Erika Newbold. Along with junior guard Nicole Yazzie, Newbold saw significant minutes during last year's title run, and the UVSC- signee is expected to help lead the way this year.

"It's a pleasure just to be hanging around her every day," said Rasmussen. "Nobody works harder on the court than Erika does. Nobody works harder in the weight room. Nobody gets others feeling good about themselves like her. When that happens, the basketball takes care of itself."

Through eight games, Newbold has averaged 12 ppg, and senior guard Kelsi Hansen said having Newbold around is a huge asset.

"I love playing with Erika because she's just so intense all the time," said Hansen.

You can pencil Newbold and Yazzie in as starters, but who plays around those two remains to be seen. Entering this week, Rasmussen said he hasn't used the same lineup during any of Bingham's first eight games.

"Last year, everybody knew their role on this team," said guard Shaynie Phillips. "This year, we're trying to figure that out."

Bingham enters this week with a shiny 8-0 record, but Rasmussen pointed out that his team needs to play much, much better. Not that anyone is panicking, however. Like the other top basketball programs in Utah, the Miners mantra is all about trying to get better as the season progresses.

"We're improving every game," said Justine Bates, "and that's what matters."

Bingham Miners basketball

BOYS

Class: 5A

League: Region 3

Last season: 20-4 overall, finished first in Region 3, lost in semifinals of state playoffs

Predicted 2007-08 finish: First (tie with West Jordan)

Head coach: Mark Dubach, 5th year overall

Assistant coaches: Jim Applegate, Lynn Demill, Garrett Wilson, Marc Jenson, Jeremy Butterbaugh

Key returning players: T.J. Ford, 5-foot-9 guard, Sr.; Kyle Harrison, 5-foot-10 guard, Sr.; Parker Jenkins, 6-foot-2 guard, Sr.

Key newcomers: Blake Krahenbuhl, 6-foot-4 forward, Jr.; Matt Hansen, 5-foot-10 guard, Sr.; Shad Sommerville, 6-foot-1 guard, So.; Logan Ludwig, 6-foot-0 forward, Sr.; Ben Clifford, 6-foot-7 center, So.; Logan Cantwell, 6-foot-2 forward, Sr.; Remington Peck, 6-foot- 5 forward, Jr.; Jordan Barney, 6-foot-7 forward, Sr.; Austin Holt, 6- foot-5 center, Sr.