The returning players on the Herriman High School boys basketball team gained postseason experience last year. Their 67-37 loss to Davis in the first round of last year’s tournament was disappointing, but head coach Brad Tingey expects that experience to help them improve this season.

“Overall, I am pleased with our team. We have the depth and are a year older and a year better. We have the potential to be a very good team and expect to get better every time we step on the floor,” Tingey said.

The Mustangs return four starters from last year’s team. The most notable returner is 2014 5A first team All-State guard David Maynard. The 6-foot-4 senior is averaging 23.8 points per game in the Mustangs’ nine preseason games.

 “We challenged Dave to work on his shooting range and rebounding in the off season. Nobody works harder than him. The core of our team is our seniors, but we also have a good group of juniors that could have varsity impact,” Tingey said. “Tyus Jefferson has stepped into the guard spot and should have a great year. Stockton (Enger) has been terrific defensively. Knock on wood, this could be a team that does special things.”

Jefferson leads the team with 3.6 assists per game, and Enger, a junior, is second on the team in scoring, averaging 7.4 points per game. He is shooting 53 percent from behind the three-point line. Defensively 6-foot-8 junior center Jake Sutton is second on the team with 4.6 rebounds per game.

“Coach is always telling me to go straight up against the little guys instead of trying all these fancy moves. I like playing ball with Maynard. He draws in the opponents’ defenders and then passes it to me for easy layups. We want to get back to the state tournament,” Sutton said.

The Mustangs have gone 7-3 in preseason games. Losses to Bingham (65-57), Juan Diego (71-69) in overtime and Syracuse (63-62) are the team’s only blemishes. They began Region 4 play Jan. 6 with a loss to defending state champion Lone Peak (55-53). 

“Everyone in Region 4 has gotten better, but our kids have confidence in our defense and our system. There is no question that our tournament experience last year will help us later on. Last season we spent a lot of time trying to convince the kids they could win. They are catching on,” Tingey said.