Brighton girls reload for new challenge

The top three returnees on Brighton High’s girls basketball team combined to average seven points per game last season. That could make for a long year for the Bengals.

Since losing in the first round of the state tournament to Fremont, Brighton has undergone a complete overhaul with the graduations of Shelbi Everett (16 points per game), Mikayla Mosely (10), Marissa Egbert (9) and Mary Murdock (8). The top returning scorer is sophomore Maddy Chin, who averaged just three points per game. Seniors Kelcie Douglas and Ali Hahn also return.

Putting it more in perspective, the graduations sapped 43 of the Bengals’ team average of 52 points per game last season, along with 118 total 3-pointers. Everett, who earned a softball scholarship to Brigham Young University, made the all-state second team for basketball.

Nonetheless, the Bengals hope a defense that allowed just 49 points per game contains opponents enough until the offense comes around. Chin had a season-high of 10 points as a freshman against Davis, while Douglas had 10 points against West Jordan and Hahn seven against Skyline.

Brighton finished 12-9 overall and 7-5 in Region 4 last season, tying with American Fork for third place behind Lone Peak. The Bengals lost 65-51 to Fremont in the first round of the playoffs.

While Brighton might be young this season, most of its new region counterparts could have their struggles as well. The Bengals, along with Alta and Jordan, have moved to Region 3, which includes Copper Hills, Cottonwood and West Jordan. Alta, the defending state champion, and Cottonwood finished second in their respective regions last season. Cottonwood reached the quarterfinal round of the playoffs, while Copper Hills, Jordan and West Jordan finished a collective 14-49 overall.

Returning state MVP Makenzi Morrison, who averaged 22 points per game last season, is expected to help Alta defend its championship. The Hawks beat Syracuse 67-59 in the 5A finals.

Brighton was scheduled to open the season Nov. 22 against Davis, followed by games against Riverton (Nov. 29) and Pleasant Grove (Dec. 2).