HURRICANE – It’s been 4 1/2 years since Hurricane hoisted the state trophy at the Burns Arena in St. George, but sometimes it feels like forever. That senior-heavy 2012 team left the cupboards bare, with the 2013 Tigers going 1-19.
It seems the trip back to competitiveness is slowly turning around for Hurricane, but Tiger fans have had to be patient with seasons of 6-16, 6-16, 9-14 since then. But there is reason for optimism in the Hurricane Valley.
“We’ll be very disappointed if we don’t make the playoffs this year,” HHS coach Todd Langston said. “We feel we’re as good as anybody in the region. If we play to our abilities, we’ll definitely be in the top four. We expect to be a contender.”
Hurricane returns two starters from that 9-14 team, a couple of guys who can fill it up in Josh Parker and Jackson Last. The Tigers also have size, with 6-foot-6 twin towers Jared Frehner and Nate Ben manning the inside.
Backcourt: Parker is a dangerous, but streaky shooter. As for what to expect from Last, well he opened the season with a 19-point game against Canyon View last week. Senior Graden Cahoon and junior Adam Heyrend will also contribute.
Frontcourt: Frehner and Ben both have experience and size and should give the Tigers the presence inside necessary to compete with the St. George schools in the post. Young Xyden Jackman has a big body as well, but can also shoot the ball from deep. Regan Marshall will also contribute.
Hurricane is also looking to play a little more up-tempo this season.
“We’re looking to run a bit more than we have in the past,” Langston said. “Our big guys are fast and can get up and down the floor and we seem to rebound well. We want to look for some easy baskets in transition.”
One side note: Parker and Marshall both had older brothers on that 2012 championship Hurricane team.
The Tigers are in Richfield for the 3A Preview this weekend and will also participate in the NGC Classic in Page, Ariz., this year.
The Tigers open Region 9 play Jan. 11 against defending state champion Dixie High.
| DATE | GAME | START TIME / RESULTS | |
| Wednesday, Nov. 23 | at Canyon View | Hurricane 60 | Canyon View 57 | |
| Friday, Dec. 2 |
3A-2A PREVIEW
vs South Sevier |
5:30 p.m. | |
| Saturday, Dec. 3 |
3A-2A PREVIEW
vs Richfield |
6:00 p.m. | |
| Thursday, Dec. 8 |
NGC CLASSIC
vs TBD |
tbd | |
| Friday, Dec. 9 |
NGC CLASSIC
vs TBD |
tbd | |
| Saturday, Dec. 10 |
NGC CLASSIC
vs TBD |
tbd | |
| Thursday, Dec. 15 |
COACH WALKER CLASSIC
vs Manti |
5:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, Dec. 16 |
WALKER CLASSIC
vs TBD |
tbd | |
| Saturday, Dec. 17 |
COACH WALKER CLASSIC
vs Maple Mountain |
2:30 p.m. | |
| Tuesday, Dec. 20 | vs Parowan | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Tuesday, Dec. 27 |
TRI-STATE CLASSIC
vs TBD |
tbd | |
| Wednesday, Dec. 28 |
TRI-STATE CLASSIC
vs TBD |
tbd | |
| Thursday, Dec. 29 |
TRI-STATE CLASSIC
vs T.C. Robertson, N.C. |
tbd | |
| Wednesday, Jan. 11 | vs Dixie | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, Jan. 13 | vs Pine View | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, Jan. 18 | vs Desert Hills | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, Jan. 20 | at Cedar | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, Jan. 25 | at Snow Canyon | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, Jan. 27 | at Dixie | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, Feb. 1 | at Pine View | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, Feb. 3 | at Desert Hills | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Wednesday, Feb. 8 | vs Cedar | 7:00 p.m. | |
| Friday, Feb. 10 | vs Snow Canyon | 7:00 p.m. |
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