Spartans regroup after semifinal appearance
At least on paper, Murray High’s boys basketball team is in for a challenge this season. With the graduations of four of its top scorers, including all-state player David Collette, the Spartans appear to have their work cut out to even get back to the playoffs this year.
Murray, which is scheduled to tip off the season Dec. 2 at former region rival Cottonwood, lost more than just the 22 points per game that Collette provided. The Spartans also graduated backcourt leader Riley Grandinetti, Joel Cosby and Dario Domazet, as well as the leadership they provided. The quartet combined to average 42 of Murray’s 60 points per game last season.
In their place, returnees Orhan Agovic (eight points per game), Jackson Winget (6) and Nick Rush (2) will be counted on heavily to pick up the scoring slack. Football quarterback Justin Adams will help in the backcourt, while 6-9 junior Nathan Aland attempts to fill Collette’s big shoes in the middle.
The Spartans finished 20-4 overall and earned a share of the Region 2 championship with West at 11-1. Murray defeated Copper Hills 52-38 in the first round of the 5A tournament and downed Brighton 76-65 in the quarterfinals to earn its first semifinal appearance in 14 years. The Spartans were eliminated from contention with a 50-41 loss to eventual state runner-up American Fork. The loss snapped Murray’s 13-game winning streak that started after its lone region loss to West.
Along the way, Collette, who earned a scholarship to Utah State, developed into perhaps the best player in the state. He finished fourth in 5A and sixth in the state in scoring, and also averaged nine rebounds and four blocks per game, along with numerous thunderous dunks. His peers recognized Collette’s performance with a first-team all-state selection.
Grandinetti, who averaged nine points per game, earned a scholarship to Southwest Oregon Community College and spearheaded a defense that allowed just 49 points per game.
Murray’s fortunes were boosted with the recent region realignment. The Spartans will now compete in 4A’s Region 7 along with Westlake, Herriman, Olympus, Skyline and Hillcrest. Of those teams, only Olympus finished with a winning record overall (16-7). Olympus lost to Woods Cross in the 4A quarterfinals and Skyline (10-13) lost to Bingham in the first round of the 5A tournament.
The Spartans are scheduled to play at Taylorsville on Dec. 6 before participating in the annual Jordan Tournament on Dec. 9 against Northridge.
