Cal (and Colton) and the Tville Men's League 2023

Cal and Company have continued to play ball when and where they can. They found a fairly competitive men's league at the Taylorsville Rec Center, so that has been the go-to for games. Colton can't play during the high school season, but filled in during the summer. Cal even got Keaton out once!   

This year the Taylorsville Men's League replaced the curtain between courts from a white sheet to a bright red divider. Makes for a distinct backdrop for all the T-ville Rec Center games.  And the team name, Ben & Jerry's? The two boys (left, front and back) are Jared and Ben. Also pictured are Cal, Colton, Charlie, Trevor and Austin.

I attended one game in the first tournament of the year. Busy season, with Colton's Junior year in full swing. I never got around to making a highlight video from it ... but maybe I'll still get to it! I was able to snag the stats, and got a couple pictures. Cal had got a pretty good floor burn on his knee, and I took a picture of it after the game. A few days later (while Cal was off on a work job at Bear Lake) that knee swelled up something terrible and Cal couldn't walk on it at all. 

The Ben and Jerry's started off the year claiming the championship!

It wouldn't be their only one!

I went to several games over the summer season, a few into fall ...

• May 17, 2023 https://youtu.be/frDTDb4tpgo
• July 19, 2023 https://youtu.be/ZwhPdxWiarQ
• August 2, 2023 Semi-Finals https://youtu.be/nMOFJBbspOE
• August 2, 2023 Championship (Blue Shirts above) https://youtu.be/dLos0B-YEn8
• September 20, 2023 https://youtu.be/SiikPr4rJKc
• October 4, 2023 https://youtu.be/h1XxUW7Ve9I
• November 8, 2023 Semi-Finals https://youtu.be/u10u6l70WpE
• November 8, 2023 Championship https://youtu.be/0sS26PmyCaQ

This championship game finished up right before high school basketball started up for Colton. Another injury (elbow to the eye) for Cal. Pictured here, Jared, Colton, Stockton, Charlie, Cal, Big D and Austin. Ben was busy with school this session. 

Coach Cal and Crew ...

Staying busy with basketball!

Colton ~ Top50

For a few years now, a Utah Top50 Elite League was set-up for high school basketball. This is an invitation only league (you can apply to request an invite) and the top boys from across the state are selected and put onto teams to compete together at a higher level. It's a great way for the boys to get some additional coaching and play, and to get to know other players personally. 

Colton was happy to get an invite this year, and get in a little pre-season play and exposure.

... a list of the teams.

Interesting to see the spread between schools and across the state.

Some boys traveled FAR for games.

This was close - at the SLCC campus. 

Final games played downtown at the Delta Center!

One thing ... 10 players, SIX teams ... that doesn't = 50 

I think originally it was just 50, but the demand is so high they allowed a few more.

Colton has gotten a bit used to being "the best" on his teams, the core player ... here? Not quite as much. When you bring in the best of the best, it's harder to stand out. The Coaches didn't really know the players, just going off a glance and stats ... Colton didn't even start the first few games, spent more time on the bench than is usual for him. But then he started getting more playing time, more opportunities in game. One memorable moment was hitting a half-court buzzer beater.  You can see the team highlight reels in a TOP50 playlist of all six games. There are #mycoltonclips of all six games too. These games were played in September and October 2023. 

Buzzer Beater!

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... unfortunately Colton's Lightening wasn't able to get a win during this tournament. Several close games. These teams were stacked with the best players! KSL streamed all the TOP50 games, and even though I was there in person, I would listen to the stream on my headphones (which could be a bit strange, as the timing was off by 30-60 seconds). I like to hear the commentary, especially when it's compliments about my kid. Fun to "get to know" the other boys a little, and then to recognize them later on in the season as they played for their high school teams. 

 

Wolves ... The End

 

Colton first played with Coach Phil, his son Gage, and buddy Collin when Colton was in 3rd grade (2015) ... he joined the Wolves in 2016. It's been eight years of practices and games and hanging out. Many boys on the team came and went, but the CORE FOUR were there the whole time.  Gage and Collin (and the rest of the team) were a year older than Colton, so 2023 was the year those boys graduated. There's not really league play for pre-college kids. At this point, it's either college ball or local men's leagues. 

There were two final tournaments ... one in March and one in May. 

In March, the boys played four games in a tournament at Summit Academy in Draper. I didn't make it Friday night, but I went to the two games on Saturday. These games felt a little like the NBA "Allstar" games ... not too serious/competitive. Lots of three pointers and attempted dunks. Not a lot of defense. Just the boys having fun. I made highlight reels of these two games.

Game #3       Game #4 

Colton had 47 points that final game!

We thought that WAS the end, but then one more tournament came up. 

This was held in Bountiful, which is a little out of my zone, even if I'm not driving myself. But, as these were the LAST games, and Colton could Uber me there, I was planning on attending and getting video. Unfortunately on Friday, May 26 I was struck with some sort of vertigo and couldn't get out of bed for days. I was SO sad to miss these games ... especially when they ended up winning the championship (picture at the top). I was grateful to get a photo, and happy the boys went out on top! 

Confections for Cash ...

Tis the season ...

 https://wefund4u.com/fundraiser/23westjord/email/503219/

Colton ~ Varsity (Junior Year)

Colton (#5) is a junior, starting Varsity for the West Jordan Jaguars (check the WJ Youtube for live streams of home games). Game highlights are uploaded to the BlackhamBall YouTube playlist - check that out HERE. Follow the BlackhamBall Instagram for #mycoltonclips and new photos. BlackhamBall has a Facebook page as well. Stats can be seen on the DeseretNews and MaxPreps websites.

Here's the schedule ...

Many schools live stream the games. 

(BlackhamBall Facebook shares links when available)

Here's a peek at his best game this season - 37 points in one game!

... and here's a highlight reel of some of the best plays throughout the season.