This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Ogden • Records don't always tell the entire story. Orem entered the first round of the boys' Class 4A basketball tournament at the Dee Events Center with more losses than wins.
For a program constantly in the mix for state championships, it was certainly unusual to see the Tigers struggling to stay above .500, but only a few points determined most of the setbacks, especially toward the end of the regular season.
And with each step of improvement, the young Tigers developed confidence, which was illuminated with their 58-50 upset of Wasatch on Monday evening.
"We suck. Let everybody keep thinking we suck," Orem coach Golden Holt quipped. "We're fine. We've got a young team. Will Clark broke his hand on the second day of practice, so that was a setback, and then I've got a freshman point guard. It's a journey, for sure, but we're glad we're here."
Orem (11-13) sprinted to an early 20-6 lead after opening the second quarter on a 6-0 run. From that point forward it was maintaining its cushion behind Clark — who chipped in seven points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals — Jake Stayner (11 points) and Noah Johnson, who finished with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting.
"Our record doesn't bode for a lot of confidence, so it was important that we got off to a good start so the boys believed we are pretty good," Holt said. "I think we were a top four or five team to start the season, but then when Will Clark broke his hand. Losing him for two months, I hope pays off now as some of the players getting more opportunities to get better."
Freshman point guard Puka Nacua added eight points, nine rebounds and five assists, earning massive praise from Holt as he showcased his potential.
"He's special. Puka Nacua is 14 years old. He should be in eighth grade," Holt said. "He turns 15 next month. What he does out there with the ball in his hands, I've coached 19 Division I players. Nick Emery, TJ Haws, Casey Benson at Oregon, Brandon Miller, Parker Van Dyke, some great, great players — and at this age, Puka is good as any of them. He's got a lot to work on, but the command of the ball with his strength is pretty special."
After knocking off the Wasps (14-10), the Tigers face Region 6 champion Olympus at 5:50 p.m. on Wednesday at the University of Utah.
Twitter: @trevorphibbs —
Storylines
• Noah Johnson scores a game-high 21 points in the win.
• The Tigers are starting to play like their preseason expectation with Will Clark fully healthy.