A year ago, the Riverton girls basketball team took its lumps in a difficult season. This time around, head coach Jonathan Haag is confident the Silverwolves will have much more success in the win column. 

Riverton was 4-19 last season and 1-9 in Region 2. The good news is that many of the players from last year’s squad are back, and those team members gained loads of valuable experience. The 2023–24 squad was young, but this year’s version has seven returning contributors. 

Haag not only thinks the Silverwolves will be more competitive, but he has set some lofty postseason goals. He believes Riverton will be strong on defense. He also said if his team can avoid injuries, it can match up well with anyone it faces. 

“I think we will be quite a bit more consistent defensively and with taking care of the ball,” Haag said. “Our team goal is to be in the final eight in the playoffs, and I think we can compete with anyone if healthy.”

Though the Silverwolves had a difficult time winning last season, it wasn’t as though the team was getting blown out every week. Eight of the team’s losses were by single digits. Haag said if the players can cut down on mistakes and play smarter, the Silverwolves will move up the standings. 

“I am hoping our defensive anticipation and IQ plays take a big jump this season,” he said. “We were in almost every game last year but had too many breakdowns in key moments for us to get over the hump. Our ball movement has also been much better so far this fall and will be another area of focus for our team.”

Haag said other aspects will determine whether the team can reach its goals. He is also emphasizing team unity and unselfishness among other elements of team play. 

“We need to have high expectations for each other, and each girl needs to be able to hold her teammates accountable in all aspects of the game,” he said. “Accountability, trust and camaraderie will help have immense payoffs in close games and can help us get on the positive side of the score column.”

Riverton should be tough defensively this season. Last year, the team allowed 58.3 points per game in league play. The team’s experience level should also be a strength, Haag said.
“We got a lot of experience last year and know much more of what we are looking for on both sides of the ball,” he said. “Our defense will be something we can hang our hat on every night to keep us in games when the ball just isn't dropping.”

Leading the way for Riverton will be senior guard Faythe Stauffer, a Second-Team All-State performer last year. Stauffer scored a team-high 17.5 points per game a season ago. Her efforts were good enough to put her at third in Class 6A and 17th in the entire state in scoring. She was also second on the team in rebounds with nearly five a game and paced the Silverwolves in assists and steals with 2.7 and 2.2 a game, respectively.

Junior Maggie Hamblin is another player to watch this season for the Silverwolves. The junior led Riverton in shooting percentage from both two- and three-point range in 2023–24. She was also second in Class 6A in rebounding average with 8.2 a game, an unusually high number for a guard. Hamblin contributed 6.8 points per game last season and dished out 19 assists in all. 

Sophomores Hallet Talbot and Gabby Murdock are also back this season. Senior Ella Lange will also be a key contributor. 

Though Haag is optimistic about Riverton’s outlook, he knows the schedule will be formidable. The Silverwolves compete in a difficult region, which features arguably the top two teams in 6A, Copper Hills (defending state runner-up) and Mountain Ridge. 

“Both teams have very disruptive defenses and explosive offenses, so we will be battle tested before we get to the playoffs,” Haag said. “We need to hunt great shots as our shooting percentages were very low as a team last year.”

Riverton will face both Copper Hills and Mountain Ridge twice this season in league play. It will also have two matchups with region foes Herriman, Bingham and Corner Canyon. The Silverwolves have a lengthy non-region slate, which began Nov. 20 at home against Lehi. Riverton will face a variety of opponents from 6A, 5A and 4A. The games will help Haag see what his squad is made of by the time the league battles begin. Region 2 play starts Jan. 9 at Bingham. 

Riverton is eager to return to its winning ways. The team last finished above .500 in 2021–22 when it was 18-6 and reached the 6A quarterfinals. 

Whatever happens in the win-loss column this season, Haag is grateful for the chance he has to coach this group of girls. He appreciates their work ethic, attitude and willingness to get better. He also said they make every day enjoyable. 

“They really are a great group of girls with some very fun personalities,” Haag said. “It is very refreshing to come into practice and be around them each day.”

The 2024–25 season runs through Feb. 13 when the Silverwolves wrap up the regular season at home against Herriman. The 6A state tournament follows. Last season, Riverton lost a first-round playoff game to Weber by the score of 59-51.