Consider the inaugural JimmyBall scrimmage a success.
Head coach Jim Boylen praised the essentials that he wants his team to have this upcoming season: Play zealous defense. Get out of the box. And run, run, run.
Oh, and have the star center be the main cog on both sides of the ball.
“Luke Nevill does what he does,” Boylen said. “That’s score the ball. It seemed he made a better attempt to be around every rebound, that’s something I’ve asked him to do.”
Nevill played 23 of 24 minutes and finished with a game-high 14 points on 6-for-8 from the floor and went along with an also-game-high seven rebounds.
The “away” team, donning crimson red jerseys, was comprised of probable opening-day starters Nevill, forward Carlon Brown and the backcourt of Tyler Kepkay and Lawrence Borha.
The scrimmage, which had two 12-minute halves, was won by the veteran-based squad 36-28.
The “home” team in white featured true freshmen swingmen in Brighton High product Jace Tavita and the “Mr. Basketball” of Kansas, 6-foot-4-inch Jordan Cyphers. Starter Shaun Green, backup Morgan Grimm and point guard Tre Smith rounded out the starting five for the home squad.
Although the veterans made impressive plays throughout the night, the story of the night was the stellar play of the two newcomers.
“Tavita’s got talent, Cyphers has talent,” Boylen said. “It’s funny, the same two days (Tavita) and Cyphers had their best practices. It just kinda seemed to click for them a little bit. I’m encouraged by those two guys.”
Cyphers finished 2-for-3 from behind the arc to sum up his scrimmage with six points. The 6-foot-4 Tavita was impressive on the night, running the point position as he finished the night with three points and a game-high five assists.
“(Tavita’s) had two really good days of practice, back to back,” Boylen said. “Really good days.”
Borha, one of the senior leaders of the Utes, echoed his coach’s thoughts on the newcomers.
“Jace and Jordan are playing really well,” Borha said. “I think tonight was the best they’ve played. Jordan Cyphers does a great job of knocking down the open shots. When he gets the ball and he’s open, you just know it’s going in.”
Aside from the two electric freshmen, the play of Green and Grimm impressed Boylen and the crowd. Green finished with nine points, all from behind the arc. Grimm led the white squad with eight points, often taking Nevill out of his element as Grimm knocked down a couple mid-range jumpers.
“I thought Shaun Green looked good,” Boylen said. “(Grimm) did some good stuff for us tonight. He made open shots and he’s playing in between that four and five position. He’s improved his shooting and he’s a competitive kid.”
The crowd, though miniscule, was fired up to watch the team. Boylen announced to them that he is here to make the team better8212;for the team itself and especially, the fans.
The veterans often had their way with the newbies, but things seem to be looking up for the Utes.
“I am encouraged by our young guys,” Boylen said. “But our veterans gotta to carry us.”
Christopher KamraniTyler Kepkay scored 4 points and had 2 assists for the crimson red team during the inaugural JimmyBall scrimmage held last night in the Huntsman Center.