Bengals firing away behind Miller
Having graduated its top three scorers from last season and with a new coach, the prospects for Brighton High’s boys basketball team didn’t appear promising.
The Bengals didn’t have to look far to find someone to take the reins.
Brandon Miller, whose brother, Corbin, starred for Brighton, has averaged 25 points per game and made 22 3-pointers through the Bengals’ first six games this season (3-3). Corbin Miller, who averaged 19 points per game last season, is now playing at Harvard University. Brandon Miller hasn’t scored fewer than 17 points in any game and has a season-high of 29 against Layton.
Brighton defeated West (67-37) and Lehi (64-56) in its first two games before losing to Riverton 82-78. The Bengals defeated Layton 78-54 and lost to American Fork (73-68) and Bingham (78-69). Brighton was scheduled to participate in the annual Gillette Tournament in Wyoming after Christmas, followed by two more preseason games before opening region play.
Miller was leading 5A in scoring average and 3-pointers per game and was third in the state in both categories as of our press deadline. Brighton was averaging 71 points per game and allowing 63.
Miller made three 3-pointers and had 17 points in the win over West. Zach Wertz added a pair of threes and finished with 16 points, while Travis Devashrayee added 12 points, Jon Hicken had 10 points and six rebounds, and Chris Eixenberger had five rebounds. Brighton led 27-18 at halftime and extended the lead to 48-25 after three quarters by outscoring West 21-7 in the third.
Brighton used a 21-4 run in the second half to overcome Lehi. Miller made four 3-pointers and had 26 points, Devashrayee had 14 points, eight rebounds and five assists, Bryce Callahan had eight points, and Wertz totaled seven points, six assists and four steals. The game was knotted 28-all before Lehi slipped ahead 43-42 going into the fourth quarter. Devashrayee’s baseline 3-pointer helped seal the win.
Devashrayee had 26 points and 10 rebounds to pace the Bengals against Riverton. Miller made three 3-pointers and had 24 points, Callahan had 12 points, Eixenberger had nine points and seven rebounds, and Wertz had four points and four assists. Riverton led 42-32 at halftime.
The Bengals roared back with the victory over Layton. Miller scored 20 of his 29 points in the first half and made four 3-pointers with five assists. Eixenberger had 12 points and 11 rebounds, Hicken scored nine points, Devashrayee had eight points, six rebounds and four points, Zach Bernardo had nine points, and Wertz had 13 points and five assists. Brighton led 46-32 at halftime and 65-44 into the fourth.
Miller kept up his scoring with 28 points and four 3-pointers against American Fork. Callahan had 17 points, Devashrayee had eight points, and Eixenberger and Hicken six points apiece. The Bengals led 34-33 at halftime, but the Cavemen pulled ahead 52-48 going into the fourth quarter.
Miller matched his production against Bingham with 28 points and four 3-pointers, while Devashrayee had 13 points, Callahan and Wertz each had eight and Eixenberger seven. Bingham led 43-31 at halftime before Brighton rallied to make it 56-55 after three quarters. The Miners added the finishing touches in the fourth by outscoring the Bengals 22-14.
Although Miller garners the most attention, Brighton’s supporting cast has done very well. Devashrayee averages 14 points per game, while Wertz averages nine, Callahan eight, Eixenberger six and Hicken five. The quartet of Devashrayee, Eixenberger, Callahan and Hicken combined to score only 32 total points last season, and none averaged even one point per game.
Brighton has also got it done at the foul line, making 77 percent of its free throws. The Bengals have averaged 27 free-throw attempts in their first six games.
