The Grantsville High School varsity basketball team will host a conference game against Ben Lomond High School (Ogden, UT) on Friday, January 17, at 7:00 PM.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: Utah High School Basketball
Who: Ben Lomond vs Grantsville
When: Friday, January 17, 2025
Time: 7:00. p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here

Game Preview: Ben Lomond vs Grantsville

As the Utah high school basketball season heats up, two teams from different parts of the state are set for an exciting head-to-head matchup. The Ben Lomond (Ogden) and Grantsville basketball teams are set to face off on Friday, January 17, at 7 p.m. in a crucial conference game. This will be the first of two meetings between these teams, with a return game scheduled for February 5, 2025, at Ben Lomond.

Current Records and Team Overview

Ben Lomond (5-10, 0-2 Region)
The Ben Lomond Scots have struggled this season, with a 5-10 overall record and 0-2 in region play. The team has found success at home (2-2), but has yet to win a region game, posting a disappointing 0-2 record in that regard. Their total points for (PF) of 941 and points against (PA) of 1,014 show their difficulties in both offensive and defensive aspects of the game.

The Scots are led by senior guard Jaerdan Vanbeekum, who averages 14.1 points per game, along with 3.3 assists and 2.3 steals per game. Zeb Whetton also contributes heavily, with 6.8 rebounds per game and 1.2 blocks per game. Despite their individual talents, Ben Lomond has struggled to put it all together for consistent wins.

Grantsville (8-7, 0-2 Region)
Grantsville, with an 8-7 record, has had a better start to their season but faces the same challenges in region play, sitting at 0-2. Their strength lies in their balanced play, with a scoring average of 62.9 points per game. They have a solid 5-1 home record, but their away performances (3-6) have been inconsistent. Their total points for (PF) of 944 and points against (PA) of 923 suggest they’ve been in more competitive games this season.

Grantsville is powered by standout player Bryson Roberts, who leads the team with 18.6 points per game and 4.5 assists per game. Dresden Jensen has also been impressive, averaging 6.4 rebounds per game and 1.4 blocks per game. These two players, alongside Dennis Castagno and others, make Grantsville a tough opponent for anyone in their region.

Team Statistics Comparison

• Points Per Game: Both teams are nearly identical in scoring, with Ben Lomond averaging 62.7 points and Grantsville slightly ahead at 62.9 points per game.
• Rebounds Per Game: Ben Lomond has the edge with 28.7 rebounds per game compared to Grantsville’s 28.1.
• Assists Per Game: Ben Lomond outperforms Grantsville with 18.7 assists per game, almost doubling Grantsville’s 10.9 assists per game.
• Steals and Blocks: Ben Lomond leads in steals (12.1 vs. 10.7), but Grantsville has a slight advantage in blocks (3.6 vs. 2.8).

Key Players to Watch

• Ben Lomond
  • Jaerdan Vanbeekum: The heart of Ben Lomond’s offense, Vanbeekum averages 14.1 points per game, along with solid contributions in assists and steals.
  • Zeb Whetton: A versatile player for Ben Lomond, Whetton leads the team in rebounds and blocks, offering support on both ends of the court.
• Grantsville
  • Bryson Roberts: Roberts is Grantsville’s scoring machine, with 18.6 points per game. His ability to both score and assist will be pivotal for the Cowboys.
  • Dresden Jensen: Jensen provides stability in the paint with his 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game, making him a key player in both offensive and defensive efforts.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced several common opponents this season, with Grantsville having a better record (4-3) against those teams compared to Ben Lomond’s 1-6. Notably, both teams have had close games against tougher teams, such as Park City, West, and Tooele. Grantsville secured wins against some of these opponents, while Ben Lomond found themselves on the losing side in most of these matchups.

Game Preview

As the teams prepare for their upcoming matchups, the game on January 17 will be a test of which squad can find consistency in region play. Ben Lomond will need to rely on Vanbeekum’s scoring and Whetton’s rebounding to control the game, while Grantsville will look to Roberts’ leadership and Jensen’s defense to push them over the top.

Both teams have their strengths and weaknesses, and with playoff hopes on the line, this game promises to be an exciting showdown. Will Ben Lomond break their losing streak in the region? Or will Grantsville show their dominance as they aim for a playoff spot? One thing is certain: this game is sure to be a thrilling contest with high stakes.

Fans can mark their calendars for both matchups between Ben Lomond and Grantsville, as these teams battle it out for regional supremacy.