After overcoming a slow start Bountiful has won three in a row in the preseason

BOUNTIFUL -- If not for one difficult weekend the Bountiful Braves would be undefeated.

The Braves lost three games in four days, and have now ripped off three straight wins after their most recent victim, Brighton, fell 57-45 on Friday. Bountiful has been down a tough road already, and they are getting better with each game. Just before their opening game against rival Viewmont the Braves learned of the death of a classmate, Emily Reeves, who passed away after a car accident earlier that day. It took a heavy toll on the Braves' hearts, as many of them had grown up with Reeves.

Not surprisingly, Bountiful came out flat in that game and was outhustled in a loss to the Vikes.

To make matters worse, they had to turn around and play the next day against Judge, who they lost to without the services of their best player, Ben Aird, who was sick.

Physically and emotionally unwell, the Braves had to play again on Monday, only to lose once again, this time to Taylorsville.

"I look at those (three losses) as one loss," Braves coach Mike Maxwell said.

These rough experiences have provided the Braves with a resiliency that continues to get stronger with every game.

The Braves showed Brighton just how far they've come, wearing the Bengals down with a furious full-court press, forcing over 20 turnovers for the third game in a row.

Bountiful's pressure de-fense has been a work in progress during the season, as their pressure has become more aggressive as their conditioning has improved.

"(Early on) we weren't ready for (the press), but progress is being made and we're moving in the right direction and that's all that matters," Maxwell said.

Their pressing defense does more than just force turnovers. It makes a team play at a faster pace than they are used to, forcing them to take bad shots, and limiting their execution.

Brighton found this out the hard way on Friday, as they weren't able to get the ball into the hands of their top two scorers the entire game.

The Bengals' top player, point guard Jason Tavita, was held scoreless and committed seven turnovers.

A big part of the Braves' new found success is their discovery of how to use sophomore sensation Ben Aird.

The 6-foot-9-inch center is dominant on both ends of the court, and the Braves are learning how to exploit his talents.

On the defensive end, Bountiful's perimeter players are able to be more aggressive because they know there is a shot-blocking machine covering their back.

Aird had 21 points and 15 rebounds on Friday, and has improved his passing as well, finding open players on the perimeter when he is double-teamed. Josh Taylor scored 14 points, mostly off Brighton turnovers.

The Braves will try to continue their winning ways against Cyprus on Tuesday, before they face the tough task of playing the Davis Darts on Friday.





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