(Composite photo by Kim Raff and and Steve Griffin| The Salt Lake Tribune) All-State boys' basketball MVPs, from left: Jordan Loveridge (5A), of West Jordan High School; Parker Van Dyke (4A), of East High School; Justin Johnson (1A), of Green River High School; Race Parsons (2A), of South Sevier High School; and Boston Gubler (3A), of Hurricane High School.

Utah All-State boys’ basketball: Natural skill, unique drive

Refusing to coast on their considerable skills, The Tribune’s MVPs strived for excellence.

By Kyle Goon

| The Salt Lake Tribune

First Published Mar 21 2012 05:16 pm • Last Updated Jun 25 2012 11:37 pm

Anyone who has ever watched a few basketball games knows there are players who have talent that allows them to surpass others, and players who work hard to be the best.

It is those few with both qualities — talent and work ethic — who are the most captivating.

The MVPs honored in these pages — Justin Johnson, Race Parsons, Boston Gubler, Parker Van Dyke and Jordan Loveridge — were already in the upper echelon of top players entering this basketball season. Any one could cruise by on ability alone if he truly desired.

But these particular players, as well as the athletes honored on The Tribune’s all-state teams, took their gifts to another plane. They were the ones who hung in the gym, who stayed after practice. Their hunger to be better — and to make their teams better — drove them to stand out.

They prospered on the court, becoming well-rounded, strong leaders in addition to phenomenal basketball players. And it wasn’t just all highlights: Every MVP led his team to either a championship or a better finish than the season before.

The days on the court will end, and the lights will fade eventually. But the leadership and desire of these athletes will be remembered for years to come.

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5A

1st team

Guard • Brandon Miller, Jr., Brighton

Guard • Nick Emery, Jr., Lone Peak

Guard • Marcel Davis, Sr., American Fork

Guard • Jaden Jackson, Sr., West Jordan

Forward • T.J. Haws, Soph., Lone Peak

Forward • Quincy Bair, Sr., American Fork

Forward • Hayden Schenck, Jr., Weber

Forward • Talon Shumway, Jr., Lone Peak

Center • Brock Smith, Sr., Fremont

Center • Dayon Goodman, Jr., Kearns

2nd team

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