Miners girls basketball team gearing up for tough region play
Most coaches would be thrilled at an undefeated record and a #2 5A state ranking nine games into a season. Bingham High girls basketball coach Rand Rasmussen likes where his team is at this point in the season, but he is well aware of a challenging region schedule –with newly aligned Region 4 – that begins in January.
“We play in a very, very tough region and will be lucky to even make the tournament,” Rasmussen, in his 23rd year at Bingham, said. “But, so far, so good.”
The Miners will begin region play at home Jan. 10 against American Fork. Rasmussen believes four teams in their region – Lone Peak, American Fork, Pleasant Grove and Riverton – are among the top five teams in the state.
“We will have our work cut out for us,” he said.
Bingham returned 14 players from last year’s squad that finished with an 18-5 record while losing in the second round at the state tournament. With just one senior on this year’s team and limited height, the Miners focused during the off-season on skill development and offensive and defensive schemes that would fit the abilities of the current players.
So far this season, the Miners have defeated all but two of their opponents by double digits, including margins of over 20 points against West Jordan, Kearns and Brighton early in the year.
“The main goal for us this time is to come to work each day and see how things turn out,” Rasmussen said.
The team is led by senior guard Summer Yack, who is averaging over 14 points a game, and junior guard Jillian Powell, who scores eight points a game. Both also lead the team in three-point shooting. Junior guard Ashton Henderson, sophomore forward Mackenzie Bruggeman , sophomore guard Lateesha Richards and sophomore guard Shelby Richards average around six points a game, giving the Miners a balanced scoring attack.
Also on the Miners squad are juniors Emily Anderson, Madison Aulai-Roe, Whitney Daniels, Anapesi Kaili, Monique Washington and Ana Loktuli; sophomores Molly Erickson, Cheryl Lyman, Carynn Duke, Nicole Ozborn and Sheradyn Parker; and freshman Sisilia Tausinza.
“This group of kids is very fun to be around. They work very hard, love their teammates and are dedicated,” Rasmussen said. “If we keep improving, I will be happy with wherever we end up.”
