Judge Memorial CHS boys basketball takes 3A state title after 16-year drought

Courtesy photo/Bryan Byerly

+ Enlarge

Judge Memorial CHS tied first in regional play with American Prep Academy.

SALT LAKE CITY — The #10 ranked Judge Memorial Catholic High School boys basketball team blew away their competition at the state tournament, besting all the higher-ranked teams, including top-seeded South Summit, to take the 3A title, the Bulldogs’ first since 2008.  

“Sixteen years is a long time, and I think Judge basketball being so storied and proud, it had been way too long for the community,” coach Sanjin Kolovrat said. “I think they really wanted to see us get back to that level, and so we’re really happy about that.”

After tying for first in region with American Prep Academy, the Bulldogs went into the state tournament ranked 10th. Although not much might have been expected of a team with such a low rank, the Bulldogs burned up the court in all of their games, starting with a defeat of Morgan 59-49 at Morgan in the second round after a first-round bye.

In the remainder of the state tournament, which was held at Snow College Feb. 23-24, the Bulldogs kept up the momentum, defeating Emery 69-63 in the quarterfinals.

“They played really, really hard,” Kolovrat said of the Spartans. “We were up quite a bit in that game and then our best player [JJ Apathjang] fouled out early in the fourth quarter, and they made a big run and our guys kept sticking tougher and fighting, not giving up; somehow [we] found ourselves on top when the final buzzer expired.”

The Bulldogs went on to rout Ogden 70-63 in the semifinals before beating the #1-ranked South Summit Wildcats 65-62 in the final game.

“We thought we could go all the way with our talent, but South Summit had a great season all year long,” Kolovrat said. “We knew what they could do; they were a big, long team, well-coached. It was a really tall task for us; we knew we were in for it.”

Nevertheless, “our guys just stuck to the game plan, worked really hard,” he said. “JJ led us in a lot of different categories by having a huge third quarter.”

Late in the game, shooter Aaydan Saucedo, a senior,  hit a three-pointer that helped seal the deal for the Bulldogs, who finished three points ahead of the Wildcats.

“It was a close game throughout; South Summit did a great job,” Kolovrat said. “We were just able to make a few more plays to secure the championship. We’re really proud of our guys; they did a terrific job. It was a very cool and surreal feeling.”

In the final game, Apathjang scored 25 points, sophomore Aymen Ismail scored 15 and Saucedo tallied 11. Saucedo, who was named the 3A Tournament MVP, is ranked seventh in Utah in career three-pointers, and also ranked seventh all time in three pointers made in a single season. He has signed to play basketball for  the University of Puget Sound next year.

Both Saucedo and Apathjang were named first team all-tournament.

Another senior, Jonathan Petrogeorge, contributed significantly to the success of the team this season, although he did not see a lot of time on the court, Kolovrat said. “He was really a huge locker room boost; he had a lot of great input for the coaching staff. The guys all loved him. We couldn’t have the team without him; he was a huge energy boost for us.”

With just two seniors on the team who will graduate, Kolovrat is optimistic about a repeat performance next year.

“We had some young players that didn’t get a lot of time this year; some sophomores that I think will step up next year, so we’re really excited about this group,” he said. “I think we can put together the team that can make a run again next year whatever conference or region or division we’re in.”