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South Jordan Journal

Bingham girls basketball hopes non-league schedule prepares team to repeat in Region 4

Dec 10, 2018 04:46PM ● By Josh Mc Fadden

Junior Ameleya Angilau returns for the Bingham Miners this winter. (Photo/Pat McDonald)

By Josh McFadden | [email protected]

Like other girls basketball teams in the state, the Bingham Miners will face a lengthy non-region slate. While winning the contests is important, head coach Charron Mason is more worried about how the team improves from game to game as it heads into a difficult Region 4. 

Bingham opens up the season Nov. 27 at Hillcrest. It’s the first of 13 non-league games for the Miners. Mason is eager to see what her defending region championship squad is made of. She also knows that the non-region portion of the season is critical to finding out what the team needs to do better and what it does well.

“We have a really hopeful outlook,” she said. “We’re excited for the season. We set up the preseason to try to compete with region teams.”

Mason pointed out that last season, every region game was decided by single digits. She expects this season to be no different. The Miners must contend with Lone Peak, Pleasant Grove, American Fork and Westlake for region supremacy.

“This region is so hard. We know it’s going to be tough,” Mason said.

Bingham will prepare for the region wars by taking on teams such as Copper Hills, Timpview and Fremont. From Dec. 18 to Dec. 22, the Miners will participate in the prestigious Tarkanian Classic tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

“We want to take steps forward [in the preseason],” Mason said. “We want to know what our weaknesses are and how to improve. I’m not as worried about the outcome [in the preseason] as the process.”

Bingham has three returning starters to lead the squad. One of these is senior Maggie McCord, who averaged 16.9 points per game last season. Other returning starters are juniors Ameleya Angilau and junior Jaycee Lichtie. A couple of reserves from last year will step up and fill larger roles. Mason is interested to see how juniors Samantha Holman and Madison Jones will fare this season.

The Miners don’t only have plenty of talent and experience on their side, but Mason said the team brings a positive attitude and hungry work ethic to each practice and game. 

“The girls have worked really hard,” she said. “They’re the hardest workers I’ve ever coached. They have great energy. It makes it fun to coach. The girls are so committed, and they play together as a team.”

Mason said she will also use the non-league slate as an opportunity to try different personnel on the court and mix up offensive and defensive plays. The team will vary their styles based on opponents’ strengths and weaknesses. 

The final non-league game of the season will be Jan. 4 at Juan Diego. Region 4 games get underway Jan. 10 at Pleasant Grove.