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South Valley Riverton Journal

Stauffer putting up big numbers for Riverton girls basketball

Feb 03, 2025 02:05PM ● By Bailey Chism

Riverton’s Faythe Stauffer, a senior, is the team’s leading scorer and one of the top offensive players in Class 6A. (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Haag.)

It’s no secret that the Riverton girls basketball team plays in a challenging region. With Faythe Stauffer in the lineup, the Silverwolves are not an easy team to defeat. 

Riverton is in the same region as defending state runner-up Copper Hills as well as strong opponents Mountain Ridge, Corner Canyon and Bingham. Riverton lost its first three league games but was 9-6 overall at press time. 

Senior guard Faythe Stauffer has been one of the region’s most productive players. 

On the season, through the first 15 games, Stauffer paced the team with 17.2 points per game. She was also second in rebounding with 3.6 boards a contest and second in assists with 2.3 an outing. Defensively, she has been outstanding, accounting for nearly three steals a game. She scored in double figures in all but one game during this stretch, with a season-best 25 points against Skyridge on Dec. 6. Another highlight was Dec. 10 at Cyprus when Stauffer had 23 points and made life difficult for the Pirates by collecting seven steals. She also had two games with six steals and dished out a season-high six assists in the same game she had her top point total, against Skyridge. Stauffer twice pulled down seven rebounds. 

Stauffer picked up right where she ended last season. 

As a junior, Stauffer was the Silverwolves’ top scorer, putting up 17.5 points per game. She also averaged five rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.2 steals a game in 2023–24. Two years ago, as a young sophomore, she led Riverton with more than 12 points a game and averaged nearly five rebounds a contest. As of Jan. 17, she had scored 904 points in her career. 

“[Stauffer] is our best player and one of the best players in 6A,” head coach Jonathan Haag said. “She’s having a very good season so far.”

Stauffer wants to be the best she can be, and that includes being the kind of teammate that others want to have around. She works hard to lead the team and do her part to pick up wins. 

“Some goals I have is to continue to win games and beat records as an individual and a team,” she said. 

Stauffer started playing basketball in second grade for her dad on a Jr. Jazz team. That squad morphed into a club team that her dad continued to coach. She loves to win, but what she enjoys most about playing basketball is forming and developing strong relationships. 

“I love playing the sport because of my teammates; they have become my best friends and make me a better person on and off the court,” she said. “The drive to keep going comes from wanting to do good for myself and my teammates.”

Riverton has had its ups and downs during Stauffer’s career. The Silverwolves struggled to a 4-19 mark last season and went 1-9 in the formidable Region 2. Two years ago, the team was 3-6 in league play and 11-11 overall. As a freshman, Stauffer saw only spot duty on a squad laden with upperclassmen. She got to experience a lot of wins that year, as the Silverwolves went 18-6. Through the highs and lows, the wins and losses, Stauffer has grown significantly. She said she has learned life lessons and become close with her fellow Riverton players. 

“I have learned a lot from playing at Riverton because I have halfway grown up here,” she said. “I have learned to be patient and let the game come to me. My teammates are my family and have helped me enjoy high school on the court and on a daily basis as well.”

As one of Class 6A’s top scorers, Stauffer clearly has plenty of offensive ability. She can shoot from outside, get to the basket and get open. She also handles the ball well and finds the open teammate. She believes her strengths go beyond her physical attributes. 

“I always have a good mindset and good body language,” she said. “I think it is important to keep yourself and your team on the up.”

After the season ends, Stauffer’s time as a Riverton basketball player will wrap up. But she doesn’t intend to stop playing. She hopes to take her talents to the next level. She also wants to further her education and prepare for the rest of her life. 

“My post-high school plans are still to try and reach the next level the best I can,” she said. “I want to go to college and start life. I want to gain a career and continue to grow as a person.”λ