Utah
Jazz fans treated to best of both worlds — a win and a highlight show from Victor Wembanyama
The Delta Center is home to the Utah Jazz, where Jazz fans faithfully stand behind their team through thick and thin and show up each and every game day to show their loyalty…
Well, at least that’s the case most of the time.
These days — with losses coming more regularly than wins, and as the Jazz clearly work toward future success rather than success in the present season — it can be a little tougher to convince some fans to pony up the dough for a game.
But on Sunday, there was something else worth seeing: the 2023 No. 1 overall pick from the San Antonio Spurs, Victor Wembanyama.
“Since the trade deadline, I haven’t cared about watching the Jazz,” a local fan told the Deseret News. “But I’ll pay money to watch Wemby.”
As a large group of fans clad in Jazz gear entered the Delta Center, I asked who was at the arena to see Wembanyama and they all cheered.
Fans showed up early and clapped excitedly as they watched Wembanyama go through his pregame workout. And, in the end, they were treated to the best of both worlds — a game in which Wembanyama had highlight plays on both ends of the floor, and a rare Jazz win.
Snapping a five-game losing streak, the Jazz came out on top 128-109, and did so with some pretty incredible 3-point shooting and really intentional defense.
It’s not easy to play against a team with a 7-foot-4, ultra skilled player and keep that team from owning the paint, but rookie Taylor Hendricks, tasked with the difficult assignment of defending Wembanyama, did a pretty good job.
“No one has enough size to guard Victor but I think Taylor did a good job with his speed and his length and tried to climb up underneath him a little bit and speed him up some,” Jazz head coach Will Hardy said.
“I thought overall, Taylor did a good job initially at the point of attack of not getting blown by, and it allowed his teammates to help him.”
It took Kris Dunn and Collin Sexton combining for eight steals, Sexton and Jordan Clarkson combining for 20 assists, Lauri Markkanen having a really efficient night and leading the Jazz with 26 points and the entire team shooting 48.6% from 3-point range to get the job done, but the Jazz were able to do it.
That being said, Wembanyama made sure to put his imprint on the game.
In the opening minutes, Wembanyama wowed with three huge blocks and capped off the night adding two more to his total.
In the end he finished with an, average by his standards, 22 points and 10 rebounds to go with his five blocks.
The Jazz can at least be proud that Wembanyama didn’t put a 5-by-5 on them like he did against the Lakers on Friday night, finishing with 27 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, five steals and five blocks, and he didn’t end up with a triple-double including 10 blocks, a feat he most recently achieved against the Toronto Raptors on Feb. 12.
But Wembanyama, despite the expectations and his early performances, much like the Jazz, is concerned with creating habits that are sustainable.
“It’s a long season, a new challenge every night,” he said. “You see guys like Shai (Gilgeious-Alexander), (Joel) Embiid, they might score 30 a night, but every night they’re going to get to score 30. Once you’ve done it, it’s about repeating it.”
So for at least one night, the Jazz were able to keep Wembanyama off the path of repeated success and the fans enjoyed every second.
Utah
Utah man charged after allegedly trying to kidnap Michigan girl
LIVINGSTON COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) – A Utah man is now facing charges after he allegedly tried to lure a young girl into a wooded area of Livingston County last week.
Ryan Josue Rojas, 20, of Herriman, Utah, was charged over the weekend with accosting a minor for immoral purposes.
According to Michigan State Police, an 8-year-old girl was riding her bike on Rosemary Lane in Brighton Township around 7 p.m. Wednesday when Rojas allegedly approached her. Rojas is accused of trying to get the child to go into the woods for “a surprise.”
When confronted by the child’s father, police say Rojas fled.
After putting out a be on the lookout alert Thursday, Rojas was arrested. He was given a $250,000 cash or surety bond.
The Source: This information is from Michigan State Police.
Utah
Utah Celtic boys wrap up unprecedented run of 4 straight national tournament titles at MLS NEXT Cup – KSL Sports
HERRIMAN — Patrick Stevenson remains uncommitted for his college soccer career, but he may want to consider signing with Real Monarchs after his latest performance at Zions Bank Stadium.
Stevenson notched a brace as Celtic scored five second-half goals in a 5-0 win over St. Louis Developmental Academy in the championship match of the MLS NEXT Cup U19 boys’ academy division on home soil.
So about that Monarchs plan?
“If that ever happened, of course I would. That’s the dream,” said a sheepish Stevenson, who will leave for missionary service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina this summer.”
A backup plan of Division I college soccer for the former Utah Valley commit isn’t bad, either.
Neither is a national title
“It’s so surreal,” said Brooks Barker, the Georgetown commitment who was named tournament MVP. “Being able to play with these boys year after year is special. We’ve really built a family here, and accomplishing anything your family is amazing. You’ll remember it forever — but national championships were last a lifetime.”
After a scoreless first half, Celtic started to roll. Air Force commit Ben Bradley opened the scoring off the club’s sixth corner kick of the match, and Brooks Barker doubled the advantage moments later.
“That’s up there with one of my favorite goals of my career,” Barker said. “Everyone dreams of scoring a bicycle kick. It wasn’t perfectly clean, but for my last club goal ever — I’m going to remember it for a long time.”
But the green-and-white stripes weren’t done.
Corbin Gardner added a third off the boot of the Salt Lake Community College commit in the 73rd minute, and Stevenson found the back of the net less than six minutes later before finishing off his brace in stoppage time.
“All the boys are amazing,” said Stevenson, who joined Celtic a year ago after playing up a division with LaRoca FC most of his life. “We all play as a family, leave no regrets, and everybody just plays together.
“Right when I came in, they were so welcoming,” he added. “From the very first training, I felt part of the team.”
It’s about more than soccer, too, Barker added.
“It’s less of a team, and more of a family,” he said. “We’re all there for each other in all of our moments: mission calls, celebrating each other, college commitments. We all play as a family, and it’s easier to play with guys who feel like brothers than just teammates.”
He also credited Celtic 07-08 coach Matt Bradley, who led the club the whole way.
“To be able to play with guys that you love with a great coach,” Barker said, “it makes all the difference.”
Utah
A Utah Utes coach was ‘too negative’ with his players. Here’s how he’s changing his approach now.
Gavin Petersen led the Utes to a 19-12 record, just barely missing out on the NCAA Tournament last season.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah women’s basketball coach Gavin Petersen says he’s had to change his approach to coaching since taking over for Lynne Roberts.
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