BEAR RIVER HIGH – By Jessica Tanner – Feb. 8, 2020
This week the Bear River boys’ basketball team had a rough start, falling to Ridgeline first, but they ended on a high note finding victory over Mountain Crest.
On Wednesday, Feb. 5, Bear River traveled to Ridgeline High hoping for redemption after the Riverhawks beat them in a heartbreaker at home. Unfortunately, the Bears would end up on the losing side of a 58-51 game.
That night the Bear River boys’ basketball’s head coach Reggie Shaw rejoined his team, just two weeks after undergoing brain surgery. He was welcomed by fans and players from both schools and expressed his appreciation for all the love that has been shown to him and his family.
“It feels good to be back in the gym and back with the kids. I love this game and love this team. Being a part of this pumped a little life back into me,” Shaw said.
“The region and community has been great to me and my family. This is a game, of course we want to win, but at the end of the day this community is teaching all these kids to be winners no matter what the scoreboard says. I am extremely blessed, my heart is full and I cannot say thank you enough for what everyone has done for us,” he added.
In the first quarter the Bears fell behind quickly 20-10, but were able to chip away at Ridgeline’s lead and head into the locker rooms down 33-30.
After battling in the third, Bear River ended the quarter with a 42-40 lead. The fourth looked like it was going to come down to the very end, but a few mental errors would cost Bear River the game.
With just over a minute left to play Bear River had a three-point lead, 50-47. After a few free throws the Bears had the 51-49 lead. Riverhawk Kaden Cox’s then sunk a bucket and one to put them ahead, 52-51. With less than a minute to go Bear River had opportunities, but a couple turnovers proved fatal and the Bears fell 58-51.
“The kids fought hard,” said Shaw. “They played well, executed things down the stretch and knocked down some shots, but we had a couple of turnovers that were costly. If we would have took care of the ball and pulled down some rebounds that would have been one we came away with, but credit to them, they found a way to get it done.”
On Friday night, Feb. 7, the Bears hosted Mountain Crest and took the lead 15-12 in the first quarter. In the second quarter the Bears were not messing around. They scored 30 points and headed into the locker room with a commanding lead, 45-20.
The Bears were outscored 25-13 in the third quarter, but held the Mustangs off and secured the win 69-57.
“We are back to winning—anytime you win that is a positive,” said Shaw. “We have to give them credit, they could have rolled over and let us have that, but they fought and we had to earn it. Our kids played tough and found a way to get it done.”
Ren Fonnesbeck had a stellar night leading the Bears with 34 points. He sunk six three pointers and was 100 percent from the free throw line.
“He’s been playing really good the last couple of weeks. I love that kid—he plays so hard,” said Shaw.
“The team moved the ball super well and worked on finding the open guy. I had the hot hand tonight, but that changes every night. Whoever is shooting well gets the ball,” said Fonnesbeck after the game.
Bear River will host Logan on Wednesday, Feb. 12, and then will head over the mountain to wrap up region play at Green Canyon on Valentine’s Day.
“I would love to get both those wins, but there are a few things we have to continue to work on especially on the defensive end. If we can end region with three straight wins that would feel good, but we have to work hard and go earn it,” Shaw said.
Be sure to go and support your Bears, but if you can’t be there Bear River Live has you covered. Watch at www.brlivestream.com/live.
