Utah County High School Basketball Players of the Week – Week 1
Dec 7, 2024, 5:50 PM | Updated: Jan 8, 2025, 11:36 am
SALT LAKE CITY – The Mr. Mac Utah County High School Player of the Week is awarded each week to the top prep boy’s and girl’s basketball players in Utah County. Sponsored by Mr. Mac, it honors athletes for their performances on the court and exceptional play. Our winners for week one were Jaxon McCuistion from Timpanogos High School and Lina Ballin from Timpview High School.
Utah County Players of the Week – Jaxon McCuistion, Timpanogos & Lina Ballin, Timpview
McCuistion and the Timpanogos Timberwolves opened the season in a matchup against Cedar Valley High School. McCuistion led them as they opened ujp a sizeable lead in the first half thanks to a 21-points second quarter as they took a 39-26 lead into the locker room. Timpanogos wouldn’t look back from there as McCuistion’s statline from opening night totaled 26 points, six steals, four rebounds and two assists in the victory.
Timpanogos’ opening week success contiuned as they defeated Maple Mountain High School 66-52. The Timberwolves and Golden Eagles traded baskets in the first half and went to halftime deadlocked at 32-all. McCuistion led his teammates to a big second half as they out-scored Maple Mountain 34-20 to emerge with the victory. He finished the game with 24 points, five rebounds, three steals and two blocks.
Ballin and the Timpview Thunderbirds opened the season on the road at Olympus High School and made sure the trip north was worth it. Timpview took an early lead with a dominant first quarter and made sure the margin held up as they staved off the Titans’ attempts for a comeback. Ballin led the way with a game-high 18 points in the victory.
Timpview remained on the road two nights later as they visited Woods Cross High School and followed a similar recipe for success. They raced out to a 19-7 first quarter lead, but this time they used lockdown defense to take a decisive 52-29 victory. Ballin would lead all scorers in the contest for the second-straight game as she poured in 17 on the night.
Player of the Week Selection
The selection committee for the Mr. Mac Utah County Basketball Players of the Week consists of Jeremiah Jensen and Sam Farnsworth from KSL Sports Live, Dane Stewart from KSL Sports Rewind and Jake Hatch. Jake is the Executive Producer for the KSL Sports Zone. Jake attended Brigham Young University and is a proud native of Orem, UT. He is an alumnus of Mountain View High School, where he was part of the Bruins football program as an offensive and defensive lineman from 2001-04.
