Olympus basketball: Season recap

In late April, I interviewed Olympus boys basketball coach Matt Barnes and several players, regarding the Titans' great season and 4A state championship run. Here is the season recap article that will appear in this year's Oly basketball yearbook.

So close … after coming so far

No state title, but Titans will be remembered

for rallying together to have a great season

By Bruce Smith
Matchup

            On the night of March 3, every player on the Olympus boys basketball team was downtrodden. As they sat together at teammate Nick Barney’s home, they were all thinking,

what if …?

            The Titans had just lost the 4A state championship game to Orem, missing another chance for the school’s first basketball title. But when you consider how far the team came from that first day of practice, or even the first game, it was a remarkable progress.
            “I believed we could beat anybody, and anybody could beat us,” said coach Matt Barnes. “We had to play great basketball and the kids figured it out.”
            Oly’s players rallied around senior center Will Cannon, its only returning starter. The Titans played one of the most difficult non-region schedules of any Utah school. After starting the season with a 1-3 record they came back to finish 18-7. More importantly, they won the Region 7 championship and advanced all the way to 4A title game.
            “It was a memorable year and one of our best ones,” said Barnes, noting the school’s 56-year history.
            “State was an amazing run. I’ve had a lot of talented teams, but these guys figured out our team concept and success came our way.”
            Barnes, and several players, figured the turning point occurred back on Dec. 16. Saddled with that 1-3 record, the Titans rallied to beat 5A power Bingham. That started a streak where they won nine of 10 games over still-powerful opponents.

            Cannon was the cornerstone. Although not particularly impressive getting off the bus, he sure was on the court. Cannon averaged 16.1 points per game and 7.7 rebounds. He even led the

team in assists and steals and was an all-state selection.

            “He was the heart and soul of our team,” Barnes said. “As Will goes, we go.”
            Cannon had plenty of help.
            Parker Rawlings transferred from Skyline after not making the Eagles’ varsity team as a junior. He used that as a huge motivational tool. Rawlings was Oly’s second-leading scorer (8.7 ppg), gave the Titans another three-pointer shooter and was a deciding factor in a few games, including one at Skyline, when he had the hot hand.
            Nick Barney, Jake Bengtzen, Coulson Hardy, Jaren Jones and Stuart Pace had their moments. A lot was expected from Jackson Coleman, and he produced despite an injury-plagued season.
           Of course, another factor was the Titans’ fan support. Oly students jammed the school’s antiquated gym for every home game and also traveled well. They were in their own league. Other fans, in fact, looked to Olympus to emulate.
            “Best fans around,” said Cannon. “It’s been that way for a long time.”
            When region came, the Titans were surprised 59-52 by rival Skyline. However, three weeks later they returned the favor when Rawlings led one of the best three-point shooting exhibitions seen anywhere all season.
            Olympus kept winning, too, and claimed the ninth region title in Barnes’ 15 seasons as coach. The momentum continued at state with wins over Bonneville, East and Provo before the Titans lost to an exceptionally talented Orem team.
            The Titans were predicted to fare well in region, but few expected them to perform so well at state. To come so close was a major endeavor.
            “It was fun to grow as a team and have the experiences we did,” said Cannon.
            “It was quite the season,” said Barnes, who was named 4A coach of the year and added a UHSAA award afterward. “Momentum is contagious and we had a lot to play for. Everything fell into place for us there at the end.”