By Kelly Cannon | [email protected]

Brighton High School girls basketball head coach James Gresh has been the leader of the team for the past 18 years. During that time, the team has seen major wins and disappointing defeats. One of those defeats was last season’s loss in the quarterfinals of the state tournament. The Bengals lost to Sky View High School, located in Smithfield, 78-42. 

“They were good. They were really good,” Gresh said about Sky View’s team.

Two years ago, the Brighton Bengals snagged the 5A state championship from Fremont 49-40. Gresh hopes to bring back that tradition of winning. 

“We’re always in the running. We’re always in state contention. We’ve won three state championships in the time I’ve been there,” Gresh said. “We’ve won six region championships in the time I’ve been there. Our reputation is a quality team that is in contention every year for region and for state.”

Since last season, the team has lost two seniors to graduation and another senior this year to early graduation. Gresh doesn’t seem too worried about the missing players. 

 “We’re going to try and band together and play good basketball,” Gresh said. 

Gresh described his coaching style as a bit of everything. 

“I hope every coach is that way where they emphasize the fundamentals and the mental side and all of it,” Gresh said. 

Looking toward the new season, which started Nov. 22, Gresh said his main hope is to have the team play good basketball. 

“I don’t think a lot on what is going to happen,” Gresh said. “We just kind of stay in the present and in the moment and hope to get better every day. I don’t have expectations.”

To follow the Brighton High School girls basketball team, visit  www.brightonhigh.canyonsdistrict.org.