It’ll be Lower’s first-ever head coaching project in the very same Region 5 as Bullinger, who jumped for Box Elder after 10 seasons coaching the Lakers. A Weber State alum, Lower’s been a fan of Bullinger since his college days; Lower joined Bullinger’s staff in 2022 after eyeing, and denying, other local coaching opportunities.

In three seasons, Lower grew an appreciation for Bullinger and his approach to the game.

“The biggest thing I took away from Kyle is the details,” Lower said.

“… Here at Bonneville, we might not always have the biggest, strongest, most athletic kids, but we were always prepared, and that helped us win games. To not only know what was coming, but by understanding that being able to put his players in the best positions possible to be successful – that’s something I hope to continue and expand on from a scouting standpoint.”

The emerging Lower staff includes the likes of Brock Randall, a former head coach at Ogden from 2018 to 2022 and previously an assistant for multiple Northern Utah programs.

Once a multi-sport athlete at Ogden, Lower sees defense as the pillar of any basketball program. The newly appointed head coach also believes it’s where the Lakers can gain an edge. During the 2024-25 campaign, Bonneville grabbed more than 70% of its 27.0 rebounds per game on the defensive end.

Bonneville finished 9-15, including a first-round lost to Viewmont in the 5A postseason, in March.

“Defense comes first,” Lower said. “If we can control and dictate what another team is doing, to take them out of what they do and take the ball out of their best player’s hand more often than not, it also allows us to be at our best… We were, for sure, in the top 10 in 5A for defense this year with a freshman, a senior all-league player and a bunch of tough, scrappy young guys that we loved.

“It goes to show that putting defense first, you’re going to have a chance to win games.”

St. Joseph picks Adam Jones to lead boys hoops

In 2A coaching news, St. Joseph Catholic High School announced Adam Jones as its next head boys basketball coach last week via social media. Jones replaces Chad Loosemore, who compiled an 8-33 record since beginning with the Jayhawks in 2023.

Jones played collegiate basketball in Canada and enjoyed a brief career professionally in Europe.

“Adam comes to Saint Joseph with a wide variety of basketball coaching experience, ranging from youth development and administration to high school boys and girls,” the school said via Instagram.

Four Falcons ink with college volleyball programs

Clearfield High celebrated the signings of four girls volleyball players – Bailey Hoover (Lane Community College, Oregon), Savannah Boatwright (Southwestern Oregon Community College), Ali Henne Casper College, Wyoming), and Liv Ena (Western Wyoming) – during a signing ceremony over the weekend.

“We are so proud of these four and can’t wait to see what great things they accomplish while playing college volleyball! It’s no surprise that four (of our) six seniors this year are going on to play at the next level… These girls truly are amazing and we will miss them so much,” the team said via Instagram.

Hadfield signs with USU Eastern soccer

Box Elder senior Brooklyn Hadfield signed to play soccer at Utah State University Eastern during a signing ceremony last week. As a starting defender, Hadfield achieved Standard-Examiner All-Area Honorable Mention in December and logged one assist before the end of her senior season.

Crowther named UHSAA Athlete of the Week

Ogden High boys volleyball senior Case Crowther received the UHSAA’s Athlete of the Week honors after finishing last week’s 6-1 run with 43 assists, 17 digs and nine aces. The Tigers play the first of their final three regular-season matches vs. Morgan on Tuesday at home.

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