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West Jordan Journal

Devoted Jaguar Fans Notice Balance in Team

Jan 28, 2016 12:28PM ● By Greg James

By Greg James | [email protected]

West Jordan - The intense concentration on the face of West Jordan Jaguars boys head coach Scott Briggs can give the teams fans a look at the passion the coach and his team have for the game.

The Jaguars have opened the season with 10 wins and only three losses. One look at the stat sheet highlights its balance. Not one, but five players average seven points or more per game. They have only three seniors on their roster and the coaching staff is constantly adjusting the lineup to give its team the best chance to win.

“Coach Briggs loves paying attention to details,” former player Spencer Nisson said after a victory over Herriman in 2013.

The attention to detail carries over to the student body and fans. Many are decked out in Jaguar basketball gear, and stand yelling constant coordinated cheers with knowledge of the game and an understanding of what the team is striving for.

“There is an air of excitement that rings through the halls of school when our team is winning, but that is not my favorite part about West Jordan. It comes from the pride and love for West Jordan that goes way past the scoreboard. We will continue to show love for our school no matter the outcome,” West Jordan student body president Lindsey Walker said.

The cheering did not stop even after a disappointing loss to cross town rival Copper Hills on Jan. 8, 63-45. As the game finished the fans chanted, “We love WJ.” 

“There really isn’t a star and that is what makes them fun to watch. Any given night, any given player will step up. They play so well together,” Walker said.

In the Jaguars 13 games this season, they have had five different leading scorers demonstrating its balance. Jacob and Jordan Lowery lead the team in scoring. Jacob is averaging 10.6 points per game and Jordan has 10.3. 

Against Copper Hills the Grizzlies jumped out to a 20 lead in the first quarter. The Jaguars continued to play their style of basketball cutting into the lead, but they were not able to get on top. Darian Nebeker led the team with 15 points in the loss.

Nebeker is second on the team in rebounds he averages 4.1 per game. On Dec. 30 in the Autism Awareness Holiday Tournament at Olympus High School he scored 18 points to help the Jaguars to a 64-57 victory over Murray. The Jaguars trailed by two at halftime, but held the Spartans to seven points in the third quarter to pull out the victory.

Junior Collin Larson has averaged 3.0 assists per game and against Riverton he led the team with 17 points in the 56-45 victory. 

The competition in Region 3 will be daunting. Copper Hills has held a Deseret News top five position most of the season; Bingham, Brighton, Cottonwood, Taylorsville and Jordan all have formidable programs. To qualify for the state tournament, the Jaguars must finish in fourth place or better.

The state tournament is scheduled to begin Tuesday, March 1 at Weber State and Utah Valley Universities