BEAR RIVER HIGH - By Tate Atkin, Headliner Sports Editor, December 22, 2022
Six straight away games to start the season looked like a daunting task, but for the 2022-23 Bear River High girls' basketball team, it has not been an issue as they have plowed through the tough schedule and busy month of December. They currently hold a 5-2 record overall and have put up some impressive numbers on the early season.
After a win at Malad High (Idaho) in November to begin the season, the Lady Bears faced 6A's Syracuse High on December 2. The Titans overpowered the Bears on the way to a 63-24 victory. Although scoring was hard to come by for the Bears, senior Gracie Riley scored 13 points to go along with 8 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Senior Lexie Westmoreland added 4 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals.
The Bears quickly bounced back as they played Orem High the next day on December 3. After a very low scoring first quarter for both teams, the Bears warmed up and put up 19 points in the second quarter to take a 25-13 lead into halftime. Bear River kept that momentum in the second half and beat the Tigers 41-22. Senior Jenna Lacroix was the leading scorer for the Bears with 15 points. She also added 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals. Riley had a double double with 10 points and a team high 12 rebounds. Westmoreland had 8 points and 9 rebounds of her own.
Continuing their success against the Tigers, Bear River then played Hurricane High on December 8. Bear River turned it on in the second half against the Tigers as they scored 38 points on their way to a 46-39 win over Hurricane. Riley dominated and put up 19 points on the scoreboard with 9 rebounds. Westmoreland added 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Senior Bentley Lorimer scored 4 points and hustled throughout the game as she pulled down 4 rebounds, 3 offensively and got 7 steals.
Bear River was then matched up against Pine View on December 9. It was a back-and-forth battle, that Pine View ultimately won after a high scoring second half, beating the Bears 64-59. Riley again impressed with a double double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Senior Crystal Park ended the game with 12 rebounds to go along with 7 points and 2 steals.
On December 10, Bear River finished their southern Utah road trip with a contest against Cedar High. The Bears jumped out to a quick lead and never looked back as they defeated the Reds, 42-33. Riley had a second straight double double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Park had 9 rebounds and 4 points and Lacroix scored 12 points to go with her 7 rebounds and team high 7 assists.
After an impressive run of games on the road, the Bears had their first home game on December 16, as they hosted the Stansbury High Mustangs. It was an entertaining and close game from start to finish. Both teams traded leads, but in the end, it was the Lady Bears who outlasted the Mustangs with final score of 50-47. Lacroix led the Bears in scoring with 17 points. Riley added another double double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Westmoreland scored 9 points, had 5 rebounds and 5 steals.
Bear River High girls' basketball team finished the 2022-year hosting cross county rivals, Box Elder High on December 20.
Watch the game courtesy of Bear River Live on the links below.
Up next for the Bear River High girls' basketball team is a home game against Salem Hills High on January 4, at 7 p.m. The Lady Bears will also host Union High on January 6, starting at 7 p.m.
Watch it live courtesy of Bear River Live on the link below.