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Ben Lomond senior Jaerdan Van Beekum (30) heads for the rim during a home game against Rockwell on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Ogden.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Ben Lomond head boys basketball coach Tanoka Beard meets with his team during a home game against Rockwell on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Ogden.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Ben Lomond sophomore Makale Aytch (5) passes the ball during a home game against Rockwell on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Ogden.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Ben Lomond junior Deshawn Holland (23) stretches past Rockwell senior Elias Sekona (24) for a layup during a home game against Rockwell on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Ogden.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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Ben Lomond senior Jaerdan Van Beekum (30) looks for a pass during a home game against Rockwell on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Ogden.

CONNER BECKER, Standard-Examiner

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OGDEN — Tanoka Beard wouldn’t share the secret acronym motivating Ben Lomond boys basketball, a team that snapped a two-game losing skid with a 79-58 home win over Rockwell on Tuesday night. But rest assured, it’s had an effect.

Following two double-digit road losses, the Scots (3-6) are putting things together in a way Beard’s ached for in five seasons as BL’s head coach.

“We have an acronym that we use that makes sure every single one of our guys is accountable for themselves first, and then the next man,” Beard said. “We’ve really tried to embody that and that’s step one. We’re trying to dispel that culture that’s taken hold at Ben Lomond and help people buy into being successful.”

Senior Jaerdan Van Beekum, leading BL with 26 points against the Marshalls (2-7), is eager to attend practice each week. Leading the team with 16.3 points per night, Van Beekum’s been at the center of the Scots’ preseason push.

“I think we’ve been in every game,” Van Beekum said. “It’s been unfortunate to lose those but we’re continuing to get better every day. … (Beard) sorta said it wasn’t the best-looking win but we came out with the (win) and we’ve got to continue building upon it.”

Van Beekum and junior Deshawn Holland (13 points) each opened the game with eight points in the first half. However, BL couldn’t keep the ball secure from the tipoff and Rockwell senior Elias Sekona rose to 13 points with his team trailing the Scots by just five at halftime.

Beard’s halftime message was simple: composure.

Thoughtful shot selection and attention to the opposing defense were the two biggest corrections Beard watched his group make in the third quarter, with the Scots building a 13-point lead and forcing a Rockwell timeout with five minutes still to go in the frame.

It’s those in-game corrections that have Beard pumped about his team’s ceiling and what sits ahead within Region 13 following the holiday break.

“I’m looking forward to everything really coming together,” Beard said. “We’re developing. We didn’t have an easy schedule on purpose, but we’ve played some solid teams through that’ve prepared us for Morgan and prepared us for South Summit. … Seeing those types of teams early helps us know what we’re working towards.”

Van Beekum added 18 of his 26 total points in the second half, including a perfect 3 of 3 attempts from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter. Additionally, Van Beekum pointed to junior Zeb Whetton (11 points) — who found six points in the third quarter, all from two-point range — for creating consistent pathways throughout the night.

“We’re really good when we play together,” Van Beekum said. “That’s the biggest focus coming into this one and moving forward. It’s fun when we do that. … This preseason’s about growing. It’s just going to take a lot of hardworking days and improving every day.”

The Scots claimed a 20-point advantage with five minutes to go. BL now embarks on a three-game road trip beginning at Utah Military-Hill Field on Thursday (7 p.m.).

BOX SCORE

Rockwell 10 18 17 13 — 58

Ben Lomond 17 16 26 20 — 79

RHS (58): E. Sekona 22, Rife 11, S. Sekona 9, Jessop 6, Kearl 6, Christiansen 4.

BHS (79): J. Van Beekum 26, Holland 13, Whetton 11, K. Van Beekum 9, Ramer 6, I.Stephens 6, Rentmeister 3, M. Stephens 2, Aytch 2, Becraft 1.

Connect with prep sports reporter Conner Becker via email at cbecker@standard.net and X @ctbecker.