As the 2024-2025 Utah high school basketball season unfolds, two teams, Green Canyon and Box Elder, find themselves at opposite ends of the spectrum. Green Canyon has established itself as a powerhouse, while Box Elder continues to struggle in a rebuilding phase. Here’s an in-depth look at their performances so far.

Season Records and Rankings

Green Canyon (8-0 overall) has started the season on fire, boasting a perfect record. Their dominance is reflected in their high state ranking, sitting at No. 2 in Utah and No. 1 in their class. Their balanced success spans home (3-0), away (3-0), and neutral games (2-0), underscoring their adaptability and consistency.

In contrast, Box Elder (0-6 overall) is enduring a tough season, with losses in all their home (0-3) and away (0-3) games. Their struggles are evident in their ranking, placed at No. 101 in Utah and No. 20 in their class.

Offensive and Defensive Stats

The scoring averages highlight a stark disparity between the two teams. Green Canyon leads with an impressive 67.5 points per game, driven by strong contributions across all four quarters. Their offense peaks in the second quarter, averaging 19.3 points, while maintaining consistent scoring throughout.

Box Elder averages 49.7 points per game, with their strongest showing in the third quarter (16.3 points). Despite their efforts, their offense falls short of competing with top-tier teams.

Defensively, Green Canyon has been more effective, allowing 431 points over eight games compared to Box Elder’s 407 points conceded over six games.

Team Leaders

• Green Canyon:
  • Jude Haigh shines as the standout player, averaging 23.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game. He is complemented by Easton Stokes, who leads with 5.6 assists and 2.6 steals per game.
  • Lance Cox contributes defensively with 0.7 blocks per game.
• Box Elder:
  • Carter Buchanon leads with 11.7 points per game, followed by Mayson Jeppsen, who averages 6.8 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game.
  • Krew Peterson adds 2.7 assists per game, and Mckay Deem leads in steals with 1.0 per game.

While both teams have standout players, Green Canyon’s depth and star performances have propelled them to early-season success.

Team Comparisons

Green Canyon outpaces Box Elder in almost every statistical category:

• Points Per Game: 68.1 (Green Canyon) vs. 49.5 (Box Elder)
• Rebounds Per Game: 27.6 (Green Canyon) vs. 22.0 (Box Elder)
• Assists Per Game: 15.3 (Green Canyon) vs. 10.3 (Box Elder)
• Steals Per Game: 8.0 (Green Canyon) vs. 6.3 (Box Elder)

The statistical gap underscores Green Canyon’s well-rounded roster and offensive firepower compared to Box Elder’s challenges on both ends of the court.

Common Opponents

Box Elder has faced three common opponents (Logan, Bear River, and Sky View), suffering losses in all matchups. Green Canyon has yet to play these teams but will face them in upcoming games, providing an opportunity to further solidify their dominance.

Outlook

Green Canyon appears poised to maintain their winning momentum as they eye league play and potential playoff success. Their perfect start and well-rounded performance make them a team to watch this season.

Box Elder, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle. With no wins so far, they will need significant improvements in scoring consistency and defensive stability to turn their season around.

The contrasting journeys of these two teams illustrate the diverse competitive landscape of Utah high school basketball, where every game is an opportunity to grow and redefine expectations.