Friday’s basketball game against Timpview’s rival school, Orem, took an unexpected turn. In the last 11.9 seconds as Timpview was fighting to stay in the game, a brawl broke out between the two teams. There had already been a lot of tension both on and off the court, but this only added to it. Both schools will now face consequences for their actions.
According to Lincoln Holcombe (#4), the fight started when Orem player Simeon Suguturaga stepped over Timview’s Dean Rueckert (#1). Lincoln stated “It is kind of an unwritten rule in basketball not to step over another player.” Jackson Palmer (#5), one of the Timpview players who was present during the fight, said “I think it brought our team closer.” Palmer also shared that he knows his team “has his back.”
Unfortunately, the results of the fight will affect the upcoming games, and have caused multiple suspensions on both teams. From Timpview, Will Openshaw (#2), Callen Tollestrup (#33), Cooper Cleveland (#13), Roman Vivieros (#41), Aisa Galeai (#0), and Braxton Wilkerson (#24) are all suspended from participating in the game on February 11 against the Spanish Fork Dons. Additionally, Lincoln Holcombe is suspended from both the February 11 game and the game on February 14 against Maple Mountain. From Orem though, 6 of their players have been suspended.
According to Holcombe, “9 Orem players came off the bench but only 6 were suspended.” This has caused some controversy since the reason many of the Timpview players were suspended was for coming off the bench.
With all the suspensions, it has caused Timpview’s team to rely on some of the freshman and sophomore players who usually sit on the varsity bench. On February 14, freshman Jackson Ford (#3) will be starting. Jackson said that he was “excited to start tonight.” Jackson will be starting with his older brother Mason Ford (#10), which he was excited about as well. Additionally, Sophomore Taj Taylor (#14) will also be starting tonight. Taj said that “it is a little weird being put into this position but I am excited for this opportunity, and also the handshakes.”
Will Openshaw, when asked about a potential playoff game against Orem, said, “It is hard to beat a team 3 times.” As the past 2 match ups against Orem have resulted in a Timpview loss, Will has faith that his team would beat Orem if they were given another chance.
