Miners face tall order in Region 4 basketball

By Josh McFadden | [email protected]

When a high school boys basketball team wins 10 games during non-league play, and those are the fewest among its league rivals, you know it’s a tough region. 

Welcome to Region 4 action, Bingham.

The Miners posted a solid 10-5 mark during pre-Region 4 games. One of those losses came at the hands of team from California at the Tarkanian Classic in Las Vegas, Dec. 20. The team’s other four losses during this stretch all came by single digits. One defeat came Dec. 8 against undefeated American Fork, a fellow Region 4 opponent. However, that contest was played during the Utah Elite 8 tournament, so it is considered a non-region game. Bingham will face American Fork twice in league action: Jan. 22 and Feb. 8

The Miners’ 10-5 mark during this span of games was the worst among Region 4 teams. But don’t let that fool you; Bingham has had some stellar performances. Plus, Region 4 boasts some of the state’s most impressive teams. Heading into region play, American Fork was 14-0, Pleasant Grove and Westlake were 12-2, and perennial state power Lone Peak was 10-4.

The Miners secured some noteworthy victories before the Region 4 battles commenced. 

Perhaps the most eye-opening win came in the Utah Elite 8 on Dec. 7 when the Miners handed defending 5A champion Olympus a rare loss. The Titans had gone undefeated the previous year, winning most games by at least 30 points. However, Bingham held the potent Titans to just 57 points in a four-point victory. It also got 15 points and five rebounds from Luke Tueller and 14 points and four assists from Myles Youngblood in the big win.

The Miners also went 2-1 at the Tarkanian Classic, getting by a team from Tennessee, 71-64, and a team from Wisconsin, 62-57. Bingham also routed Cape Coral, Florida, 69-50 on Dec. 21.

The Region 4 slate began Jan. 18 at Lone Peak where the Miners fell 58-69.

Only one of the five teams in the small Region 4 will miss out on the postseason, but the Miners know it won’t be easy finishing in the standings above the talented competition. Last season, Bingham finished third with a 3-5 record, but all the squads appear to be improved from a year ago.

The Miners opened region at home Jan. 22 against American Fork, getting knocked off 74-85. Bingham plays each team twice, culminating with a Feb. 19 game at Westlake.

Tueller leads the team in scoring at more than 12 points an outing. He’s the only player averaging double digits, though Jordan Toscano (9.3 points per game) isn’t far behind. Youngblood scores nearly eight points a game, and Peyton Jones, Ethan Langston and Tyler West each contribute around six points a game. 

Bingham has played well on defense, allowing just 54 points per game. Only three of the team’s first 15 opponents managed to score at least 60 points.