The Juan Diego Catholic High School boys basketball team finished a second year in the 5A ranks, reaching the second round of the state tournament before losing to No. 8 Brighton 70-53 Feb. 21.

The game was a tight affair throughout until the fourth quarter when the Bengals went off for 30 points and broke open the game.

Region 4 Most Outstanding Player Luke Meyer had 21 points to lead the Soaring Eagle team with Region 4 Honorable Mention guard Javier Aguirre and Region 4 Second Team guard Stockton Young also scoring in double figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively.

“It didn’t turn out how we wanted last night but the guys battled hard and played well,” said head coach Drew Trost. “I’m very proud of how much we improved this season. We lived up to our EAT [Effort, Attitude, Teamwork] mantra.”

In the first round of state, the ninth-seeded Juan Diego squad defeated No. 24 Clearfield 52-51 Feb. 20. The Soaring Eagle team was up eight points going into the final quarter and narrowly held off the Falcons to win and advance. Meyer’s 12 points led the way with Region 4 First Team guard Caden Fenger and Aguirre adding 10 points each.

Trost noted his three seniors—Fenger, Aguirre and Region 5 Third Team senior guard Tevarii Pacqueux—for their contributions to the program for the past few years. “I just thank them for all their hard work,” Trost said. “We will miss them!”

Meyer led the team with 17 points and eight rebounds a game this season while Young averaged 10 points and four rebounds.

Also on the JDCHS team that finished with a 15-10 this year were Zach Abraham, Keurik Bare, Anthony Barnard, Hunter Chamberlain, Jack Clark, Evan Colarusso, Deng Deng, Garang Deng, Devan James, Aidan Janiga, Chris Jimerson, Luke Lowery, Jordan Montoya, Trey Nicolodemos, Andrei Olivo, Cameron Orchard, Darion Otto, Easton Putzke, Niko Salgado, Kingston Taban, Rahiti Tinirauarii, Sam Vansice, Jake Wyatt and Anthony Young.

Girls

The girls team, seeded 19th, lost in the first round of the 3A state tournament to No. 14 Union 54-32 Feb. 13. A two-point game at halftime got away from the Soaring Eagle squad as they gave up 34 points over the final two quarters—while scoring just 14.

Sophomore guard Ella Sabit and sophomore center Ayen Kuath combined for 30 points, and nearly all of the offense, in the loss.

The sophomore tandem led the team in scoring this year with six points each. 

Juan Diego finished with a 3-21 record on the season. 

Also on the JDCHS squad this year were Elly Clark, Madyson Cruz, Olivia Fry, Tea Gostevcic, Avie Hernandez, Kaitlin Hulverson, Maile Mataele, Malena Modtland, Ellie Palmer, Zoe Pappas, Olivia Prosper, Rahiti Tinirauarii, Ava Tita, Gig Trujillo, Leini Tui, Sienna Vonderohe and Denver Whaley. λ