Pleasant Grove basketball: Walker Bischoff profile

In late March, I interviewed Pleasant Grove senior Walker Bischoff. He was a really intelligent guy who didn't talk much, but had a deep voice. Here is the article that will appear in the PG 2011-12 boys basketball yearbook.

Walker Bischoff:

Despite limited playing time, he made

the most of his high-school experience

By Bruce Smith
Matchup

            A couple weeks after the Pleasant Grove boys basketball season ended, Walker Bischoff was the only player still being appreciated for his efforts.

            On March 3, he earned the right to stand near midcourt at the Maverik Center in West Valley City during the championship game. The Vikings’ 4-17 record wasn’t the reason; it was all that he had learned.
            “That was the highlight of my year,” he said. “It was cool to be out there (on the court).”
            During his high-school career, Bischoff earned outstanding grades and on that day joined nine other 5A basketball players named to the all-academic team. He admitted his season didn’t go like he had hoped, but it certainly ended well.
            “I didn’t play as much as I would have liked,” he said. “They were rotating four guys on two positions and I was one of them.”
            Bischoff played on the Pleasant Grove golf team as a freshman and sophomore, but academics were his primary passion. He also enjoyed basketball, however, but coming into this season, not much was expected. Bischoff was one of seven seniors, but only center Alan Hamson had any significant varsity experience.
            Bischoff, however, did play a lot on last year’s junior varsity team and brought something special to this year’s club. Coach Randy McAllister recognized that he was one of the team’s smartest players and, with a young team, he could be counted on to make good decisions on the floor.
            “He was really smart and did everything he could to help us,” McAllister said. “I knew that he was troubled about his playing time, but we did the best we could with the players we had.”
            Bischoff still played in each of Pleasant Grove’s 21 games. He averaged 1.4 points per game and 1.1 rebounds. When he was on the court, he made a difference. He shot a team-high 66.7 percent from the field and made 2-4 three-pointers.
            “I tried to be consistent, lead by example and keep playing hard,” Bischoff said.
            He said he had several good memories of the season, including Pleasant Grove’s road trip to California during the Christmas break. He said time off the court was mostly spent hanging out at the hotel.
            “One night, we walked to a (shopping) mall that was about two miles away,” he said. “That was fun. There weren’t too many girls; mostly old folks.”
            The trip helped the team improve its camaraderie and prepare them for the difficult Region 4 season, which featured eventual champion Lone Peak, as well as powerhouse American Fork and surprise teams like Riverton and Bingham.
            McAllister said Bischoff continued to show improvement throughout the year. Bischoff had his best-scoring efforts late in the season and was rewarded with a chance to start in Pleasant Grove’s “Senior Night” finale against American Fork.
            “I played really well and hit some big shots,” he recalled.
            Bischoff scored five points in that game. Not surprisingly, that also led to his best playing memory.
            “Markee (Jensen) got me a pass and I hit a spot-up three (pointer) that got the lead down to single digits,” he said. “It was in the fourth quarter and the game was pretty exciting at the time.”
            Bischoff said he planned to continue his academic achievements after high school. He said he planned to attend BYU and then leave on an LDS Church mission. He planned to major in accounting or business management.

Pleasant Grove basketball: Spencer Pincock profile

In late March, I went to Pleasant Grove and interviewed PG guard Spencer Pincock. This is the article that will appear in the Vikings' 2011-12 basketball yearbook.

Spencer Pincock:

The thrill of playing with his brother

led him to be one of team’s top players

By Bruce Smith

Matchup

            Pleasant Grove basketball has always been a family affair for the Pincocks.

            Growing up, Spencer and his younger brother, Forrest, were taught the game by their father. After hundreds of games on outdoor courts and various gyms, the two got a chance to guide the Vikings during the 2011-12 season.

            While they may not have been among the most talented high school players in the state, they were a good combination and coach Randy McAllister was excited to see how well they could replace last year’s leading scorer, his son, Cory McAllister.

            “We had a lot of players who had never played varsity,” McAllister said. “We played a lot of teams that were better than us, but found out quickly that we could play with anyone.”

            “It was a good season … still,” said Spencer, noting the Vikings’ 4-17 record included a lot of close calls. “The numbers don’t show it, but I felt good about it.”

            Spencer averaged 7.6 ppg and 4.3 rebounds. He had a career-best 16 in the Vikings’ win at Jordan and, in fact, most of his best games came in Pleasant Grove victories. He was also the team’s assist leader.

            The main reason Spencer felt good about the season was due to the camaraderie developed with the team, and especially his brother. Many of the guys had played together for several years, and the Pincock brothers had a way of communicating unlike anyone else.

            “I was nervous before the first game, but that’s it,” Spencer said. “It was fun to always know what he (Forrest) was thinking. We could always trust each other on the court. We had our own little language that nobody else (opponents) understood.”

            Almost all of Spencer’s varsity playing time came as a senior. He ended up being the team’s second-leading scorer and rebounder and Forrest wasn’t far behind. While most teams struggled early in the year, Pleasant Grove was the anomaly. The Vikings took on eventual 4A champion Orem in the Great Zuke Challenge at Utah Valley University and almost pulled off the upset.

            Pleasant Grove bolted to a 9-1 lead. Eventually, Spencer topped the Vikings with 14 points and Forrest had 10, and each nailed a pair of three-pointers. If not for an Orem basket at the buzzer, the outcome and, perhaps the season, could have been different.

            “We played together and saw each other so much, we all got to be friends,” Spencer said. “We had a lot of chemistry.”

            It grew during the season, and especially on the Vikings’ December road trip to California. Pleasant Grove played four games over the Christmas break at the Maxpreps Holiday Classic in Palm Springs, Calif. The bus ride, hotel living, off-court functions and games against unfamiliar opponents brought the team together.

            “We go somewhere every year,” said McAllister. “I came from California and it’s very valuable. It’s a state-tournament format and the kids can wear shorts and a T-shirt every day. It was good for them.”

            Spencer said the California trip, as well as Pleasant Grove’s 47-43 region victory over Bingham were among his favorite memories. The best, however, was “Senior Night,” the Vikings’ final home game against powerhouse American Fork.

            “Our region was so high-profile that you heard a lot about it,” he said. “All the teams were tough and it was fun playing in all those important games.

            “On Senior Night, there were a lot of emotions and I got a lot of ‘and ones,’” he added. “Other than not winning the game, it was a good way to go out. We had a lot of student support and the place (gym) was filled.

            “My favorite play of the season came that night when I caught a nice pass and put the ball over (American Fork’s) Austin Waddoups and scored. I got fouled, and did a little fist pump after I made the shot.”

            After graduation, Spencer said he would continue to be a Pleasant Grove basketball fan and watch his brother. He planned to attend UVU, where he earned an academic scholarship, and serve an LDS Church mission.

Pleasant Grove basketball: Alan Hamson profile

In late March, I interviewed Pleasant Grove center Alan Hamson. At 7-feet, he was the state's tallest player. He was kind of quiet, but opened up to talk about all of his best basketball memories. This is the article that will appear in the PG 2011-12 boys basketball yearbook.

Alan Hamson:

He was the tallest player, and learned

to play a big role in all of PG’s successes

By Bruce Smith

Matchup

            When any fan came to a Pleasant Grove basketball game this year, the first thing they had to notice was Alan Hamson.

            At 7-feet tall, he was easily the tallest high-school player in Utah. But he stood out for other reasons. He didn’t play for himself. He was the ultimate teammate.

            “There is this magical thing that happens when kids become seniors, and Alan showed a different maturity and toughness,” said coach Randy McAllister. “He was more vocal, starting to use his elbows and he stands up for himself.”

            Coming into Pleasant Grove, he had just his name and an annoying word that went with it – potential. His parents are well-known for their height and basketball prowess in Utah County, and his older sister, Jennifer, had a storied career at Pleasant Grove and was playing at at BYU.

            Alan had to earn respect – and it wasn’t easy. Even though he was 7-feet, he was still just 175 pounds. As a sophomore, he earned some playing time but scored just six points all year. As a junior, he started every game and bumped his average to six points and six rebounds per game.

            This year was clearly his best. Playing in what most people viewed as the toughest region (4) in the state, he averaged 10.7 ppg and 7.9 rebounds. Just as importantly, his improvement forced opponents to prepare and adjust their games – or suffer the consequences.

            Hamson, however, was mostly a quiet leader. He didn’t toot his own horn, but teammate Spencer Pincock didn’t hesitate, especially after Pleasant Grove’s early season road trip.

            “When we went down to California, Alan swatted some shots,” he said. “It was fun to watch. They (the opponents) didn’t want any part of Alan.”

            When the Vikings returned, nobody else did either (for better or for worse).

            “He was our most-important player,” McAllister said. “He learned that if he got pushed off the block, he could step outside and hit the 15-footer. In practice, he would drain three-pointers but we tried not to promote that because we had other players for that.”

            So, while Hamson never became the ultimate scoring threat at Pleasant Grove, he adjusted his game to help the team best.

            He finished his career as the Vikings’ blocked shots leader. With 123 during as a senior, he probably had more than any other high school team. Only Shawn Bradley, the famous 7-foot-6 star at Emery County who went on to play at BYU and in the NBA, had more.

            "Having Alan back there allows us to do some different things on the perimeter," noted McAllister. "You've got that safety net back there and, if we make a mistake up front, Alan is there to shut it down."

            Those plays also rejuvenated the home fans, created momentum and fueled fast breaks, which led to layups for his teammates. The Vikings may have only finished with a 4-17 record, but there were plenty of good memories created by those plays and Hamson’s teammates loved the creative assists.

            “Nobody taught me how to block shots. It just came natural,” Hamson said. “I tried the swat it (the ball) upward so I could get it myself.”

            Hamson was the lone Pleasant Grove player to earn post-season awards. He was the Vikings’ most valuable player, and was given honorable mention honors on the Deseret News all-state, Provo Herald all-valley and Region 4 teams.

            As a senior, Hamson’s goal was to become more athletic. Growing up, he liked to play all sports, including soccer, swimming and even baseball. In high school, he focused on basketball. Most recently, he worked on improving his speed and developing more-dependable offensive shots.

            Hamson, however, also had to deal with the fact he was still growing. He had a constant battle with scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and was scheduled to have surgery after graduation that – supposedly – would make him 7-3. Hamson said he also wanted to go on an LDS Church mission and then, with the added physical maturity, try to play college basketball.

            “There are a lot of teams that will look at him,” McAllister said. “He’s still learning, maturing and growing. If everything comes together, he could have an interesting (basketball) career.”

Borah basketball: Zach Cada profile

In early June, I interviewed Zach Cada, the son of Borah basketball coach Cary Cada. He had an interesting way to look at the season ... being the coach's son. Here is the article that will appear in this year's Borah (Idaho) basketball yearbook.

Zach Cada:

Coach’s son relished the season,

and how it ended for both of them

By Bruce Smith

Matchup

            Zach Cada grew up watching Borah basketball. It was both exciting and sad for him to see it end on March 3, 2011. Fortunately, he was where he wanted to be.

            Cada and four other Borah players had just been asked to come out of the game. They sat on the bench, and leaned back in their chairs knowing that the Lions had a comfortable lead over Post Falls in the 5A state championship game at the Idaho Center.

            “I didn’t know what to think,” Cada recalled. “We were looking at each other and thinking, ‘oh my gosh. Is this really happening?

            “It couldn’t have ended any better. Once that clock ran out, we were bumping each other and saying, ‘we did it.’ We were very excited, but also pretty humble. It wasn’t until they called our names and we shook hands and got the trophy that we started to bounce.”

            Coach Cary Cada felt the same way. The championship was Borah’s first since 2005, but the third for its coach, who also took home state titles in 2004 and 2005 when Zach was still in elementary school. Zach was always a Borah fan, and remembered many winter evenings where he also watched the Lions play.

            Zach played on the junior varsity team last year. This season was the only team he got to play for his dad.

            “Playing for him was a big factor for me,” Zach said. “All the guys on the team I’ve known forever. The best parts were playing with them and playing for my dad. I know it meant a lot to him, too.”

            Afterward, coach Cada admitted the same thing. Zach was used primarily as the team’s “sixth man” during the season. He played in almost every game and averaged 1.3 points per game. His high game was six points against Coeur d’Alene and five points vs. Boise. There were several times where he and Nick Reed contributed three-pointers that helped the Lions gather momentum.

            Coach Cada said it was especially gratifying to see Zach play a bigger role at state.

            “Zach had his best games in the last three games of his career,” coach Cada said. “Winning a state championship with me has always been a goal for him and, as his father, I couldn't have a more rewarding season: Conference champions, District champions, 5A sportsmanship award, state champions, school record 25 wins and all done with my son and some of the finest young men I have ever had the privilege of coaching.

            “Tough to beat.”

            A photograph taken of father and son hugging each other on the court after the championship game said it all.

            “I could tell he was holding back tears,” Zach said. “He usually holds it (his emotions) pretty good.”

            Zach said the three state tournament games were his most memorable.

            “Against Coeur d’Alene, we were all pretty nervous and I hit two three-pointers,” he said. “Against Tikmberline, I had a two-pointer and I had a layup against Post Falls. I played the best defense of my life and I had never been more focused in those games.”

            The championship also likely ended Zach’s playing career. He grew up playing sports, but had to deal with various injury issues. As a senior, he decided to play football again because so many of his friends were on the team and most were excited about playing for new coach Darren Corpus. Cada, however, suffered a concussion in a preseason scrimmage and it drastically limited his playing time.

            “I got into one game after that, but it was against Vallivue,” he said. “That was pretty memorable.”

            In that game, Cada played briefly at defensive end, but was placed directly across from his cousin, Lane Sale.

            “That was a lot of fun,” he said.

            After graduation, Cada said he wasn’t certain about his future. The Cada family owns a large ranch near Midvale, and he also spent a lot of time there growing up.

            “I’m more of an outdoors guy,” he said. “I’d like to work up there and maybe look into going to college.”

Borah basketball: Brock Holubetz profile

In early June, I interviewed Borah (Idaho) center Brock Holubetz, who played on the Lions' state championship team. Here's the article that will appear in the team's basketball yearbook.

Brock Holubetz:

Lions’ big man appreciated being challenged

and making this season one to remember

By Bruce Smith

Matchup

            As much as the Borah boys basketball team would like to believe it was easily Idaho’s best high school team in 2011-12, Brock Holubetz knew better.
            The Lions’ 6-foot-9 senior center admitted the team went through a lot en route to a 25-1 record that included the 5A state championship.
            For Holubetz, and teammates like Gomane Boller, Drue Hall and Ben Tucakovic, the road started in eighth grade, when they combined to lead South Junior High to the Boise City championship. It ended, of course, with Borah’s convincing 49-31 win over Post Falls at the Idaho Center.
            Holubetz said one of his favorite memories was the last minute of that game.
            “Coach (Cary) Cada called a timeout. Our starters were still on the floor and coach pointed to five other seniors and said, ‘1, 2, 3, 4, 5 … go check in.’
            “It was at that point where I realized we had accomplished our ultimate goal. We were state champions,” he said. “We realized it was done. I loved the way coach did it. He didn’t help us off. That was it. It was the state championship, and one of the best games I’ve ever played in.
            “The last minute went by slowly. I was sitting next to Ben and Isaiah (Wright). We were just absorbing everything, looking in the stands and watching the game. That was one of the biggest moments for me.”
            Holubetz played a key role in Borah’s success. Growing up, he was not just big, but athletic. He competed in wrestling, BMX (motocross), cross-country and track and field, but it was basketball where he succeeded the most. As a senior, he averaged 6.4 points per game, 4.0 rebounds and led the team in blocked shots.
            Holubetz was known mostly for his defense, but had a high game of 13 points against Vallivue. His best game? That was easy. He saved it for last.
            Going against two 6-6 players from Post Falls, he had eight points, seven rebounds, a blocked shot and two steals. For his efforts, Idahosports.com, which broadcast the game via the Internet, named him and Wright the co-MVPs of the game.
            “It was a fun game,” Holubetz recalled. “I just tried to treat it like any other game. I really didn’t realize I was in the state championship game until I was sitting at my house at about 11:30 in the morning, putting my shoes on.
            “I was getting ready for a game for the last time, and my dad said, ‘you just realized this?’ It was at that point where I knew I had to have a good game.”
            Holubetz always had that kind of potential. He played two seasons on the varsity. In his first game, last year against Bishop Kelly, he scored 14 points and had a time in the third quarter when he scored 10 straight.
            When he was inspired, he was the best big man in the league. However, occasionally he was one of several guys who needed to be “kick started.” Borah had plenty of size, talent and athleticism. However, it wasn’t until the final game where the Lions felt they played a full game.
            Holubetz said that, while he felt Borah had the most talent, it was coaching that got them there.
            “We had a lot of wake-up calls,” he said.
            Unlike most coaches, Holubetz said Cada was mostly soft-spoken, choosing to teach the players instead of inciting fear. Coming into the year, every Borah player knew of the team’s potential and last season’s semifinal loss to Mountain View provided the Lions with a grudge.
            When that wore off, Cada helped them again to remember.
            “There were quite a few halftime talks that inspired us,” Holubetz said. “He would just freak out to try to get us to play better.
            “There were several times … Boise, Meridian … and I remember we were playing Eagle in the district semifinal. We were down at half. We came in (the locker room) and coach was just livid. He was screaming at us, telling us to get it going.
            “But from there, everything clicked together. We started to play really well.”
            Borah’s success helped Holubetz attract attention from a few schools. He accepted a scholarship to play basketball at Wenatchee Valley (Wash.) College. He said he hoped to start toward an education degree and perhaps play elsewhere later.
            “It was a great season, and one I’ll remember forever,” he said. “I hope we’re not just remembered for winning the championship, but for being guys who would just make things happen.”

Borah basketball: 2011-12 season recap

In early April, I interviewed Borah (Idaho) boys basketball coach Cary Cada, and we talked about the Lions' remarkable state championship season. Here is the article that will appear in the team's postseason yearbook.

A championship season

Lions’ special group of basketball athletes

finish a remarkable run with another 5A crown

By Bruce Smith

Matchup
 
            Borah High School opened in 1958 and quickly became known as a football school. A little over 50 years later, it’s remarkable how times have changed.
            This year, it was guys like Ben Tucakovic, Isaiah Wright, Braden Corpus, coach Cary Cada and several others who helped it along.
            The Lions secured the school’s 10^th state basketball title in early March, using a combination of height, athleticism and a strong defensive effort to beat Post Falls at the Idaho Center in Nampa.
            “It’s still a grand feeling,” said Cada, who won his third at Borah since taking over in 1995. “There was no turning point; that’s what was weird about it. We learned to be stronger, tougher and bigger as a team and stepped it up when we had to.
            “The kids came in dedicated to every practice and every game.”
            Borah’s accomplishments during the year were many. The Lions won a school record 25 games, including 23 in a row. They captured the Southern Idaho Conference title and district tournament. They missed what could have the school’s first perfect season by only one point. They won the Griffin Cup for the fourth straight year vs. Capital and the school took home the 5A sportsmanship award at the state tourney.
            Tucakovic was the top player. The 6-foot-6 senior averaged 15.2 points per game and 7.3 rebounds and was named the SIC’s top player. Wright averaged 12.0 ppg and led the team in steals and assists. He made the first team, despite being just a sophomore. Both players also were on the all-state squad.
            “Defense was the reason for our success all year,” said Cada, whose team gave up an average of 40.6 points per game and held Post Falls to just 31 in the state championship game. “Post Falls was our best game. That was a game where the kids came in and just knew they weren’t going to lose.
            “This was a complete team,” Cada added. “We had three players who could lead us in scoring, but if one struggled, someone else would step up. Nobody cared about the credit. They were best friends. Our team chemistry was huge.”
            Early on, the Lions weren’t the team to beat. Defending champion Mountain View was the favorite, and handed Borah its only loss back on Dec. 9. But after the Lions won the rematch, there was little doubt. Borah  reached the postseason by dominating most others.
            They beat their opponents by an average of 14 points per game, yet virtually everyone felt it could have been worse. When they got rolling, no Idaho team could stop them. However, it was only at the end of the season when they reached their peak.
            “I told them that if they starved, they would starve to death,” Cada said. “If we got teams 10-12 points down, we would back off. We couldn’t smell blood in the water.”
            That started to change in the postseason. A rebound basket by Corpus saved the Lions in the opener of the district tournament, but they were all business in whipping Mountain View for the title. Once again at state, they got a scare in the first round but took care of Timberline and then finished it off.
            Cada said the football team’s turnaround (a 5-4 record and its first winning season in 17 years) got the school year off to a good start.
            “Our team’s best game was Post Falls,” said Corpus, who was also the football team’s quarterback. “We just dominated them completely. I thought it would be a lot closer, but we took it to them.”
            Even Post Falls agreed.
           "We gave it all we had, we just got outplayed," said Post Falls senior Marcus Colbert, who earned the state’s MVP award. "Borah played a good game, and they hit shots. They just flat-out beat us."

Borah basketball: Braden Corpus profile

In early June, I interviewed Borah's Braden Corpus. He was one of the school's best athletes and competed in three sports. Here is the article that will appear in this year's Borah basketball yearbook.

Braden Corpus:

Perhaps Borah’s best athlete, he let

his accomplishments do the talking

By Bruce Smith

Matchup

            For Braden Corpus, actions are louder than words. What really stood out during his athletic career at Borah High School is what he accomplished.

            Corpus was an athlete, and a key figure in three sports – football, basketball and track & field. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, he was a durable player who could do everything, except perhaps celebrate. He had many opportunities, but just chose not to.

            “I was just happy to be representing Borah,” he said. “(Celebrating) has never been my style. I don’t like to show it (emotion) when I play.”

            Corpus had many highlights in his Borah career. He was a two-year starter at quarterback. As a senior, his dad, Darren, became the head coach and the two combined to lead the Lions to a 5-4 record – its first winning season in 17 years. He was the team’s MVP and named first team all-SIC.

            Braden passed for over 1,900 yards and 16 touchdowns and – amazingly – never had an interception. He was also the team’s leading rusher.

             “In my earlier years, I threw a lot of interceptions and I didn’t like that feeling,” he said. “Each year, I threw less interceptions.”

            “It’s a stat I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed before,” said coach Corpus. “I’m sure it’s a school record, but it’s never been kept. It’s a great accomplishment, though. No doubt about it.”

            Braden also had sprinter-like speed. He was among Borah’s fastest players (11.17 in the 100 meters and 23.4 in the 200) and was a threat on every snap. As a senior, he ran for 12 touchdowns, which meant he had a hand in 28 of the Lions’ 38 scores.

            Despite their records, the Lions didn’t make the postseason. But Corpus said he didn’t believe that would be the case on the first day of basketball practice.

            “The whole year we thought we would underachieve if we didn’t win the state championship,” Corpus said.

            Corpus said his role was to play defense and get rebounds. He averaged 6.2 points per game and was the team’s second-leading rebounder (4.6/game). He had a high game of 14 points in the season opener against Kuna and was instrumental in several other game. The most memorable were:

            * - Against Eagle in the first round of the 5A District 3 tournament, he rebounded Isaiah Wright’s shot and scored as the buzzer sounded as the Lions secured a berth at state with a 43-41 overtime victory.

            * - In the first round of the state tournament vs. Coeur d’Alene, he made one of the game’s most-important plays when he used his strong right arm to rifle a pass downcourt to Ben Tucakovic, who had gotten behind the defense, and that layup secured the win.

            Ironically, the play had never worked before that night.

            Corpus was on the bench when the buzzer sounded ending the Lions’ 49-31 win over Post Falls in the championship game. Coach Cary Cada brought him out to a huge ovation with about four minutes left.

            “It was a pretty crazy (scene),” said Corpus. “It didn’t really set in until later. I couldn’t believe it happened. At the time, nothing really hit me. Everyone was all happy and running around the court. I didn’t do as much as others.”

            He soaked it in, but shortly afterward began to focus on what he would do next.

            Football is his favorite sport, and he joined teammate Cody McKague in earning a scholarship to Weber State University. Corpus also had offers from Eastern Washington and the University of Idaho, but liked the Weber campus and its coach, John L. Smith, who was the many who offered the scholarship on Corpus’ visit there.

            “I always thought I would get a college scholarship, but going into my senior year I didn’t have one,” Corpus said. “Weber started getting interested in me halfway through the season. They watched a game, but then I never heard from them again until January.”

            Weber also indicated that it wouldn’t try to move Corpus to another position. Corpus accepted the scholarship immediately, and he was able to rest easier, although it was difficult to notice because of his normal laid-back attitude.

            Shortly after graduation, Corpus left for Weber State and planned to spend much of his summer there, preparing for the upcoming season. Like in high school, he will likely let his accomplishments do the talking.