Girls basketball at Brighton is proving to be the winter sports team to follow. The team under first-year coach Kane Stokes began the season with an unbeaten five-game streak before a mid-December three-point loss to Bountiful. The streak included convincing wins against 5A and 6A powerhouses Northridge, Spanish Fork, Layton, Tooele and a slugfest versus Corner Canyon.

“We are excited for the season to get underway. In a very competitive Region 6, we look forward to building upon our growth as a program from last season. We have a very talented team. I have seen a great deal of drive, coachability and willingness to put others before ourselves. The sky is the limit when we stay humble, tune out the noise, and take things one game at a time,” Stokes said. 

As of December 2023, Brighton girls basketball is ranked third in 5A.

Returning contributors are Olivia Stevens, PG/SG, sophomore, ranked in the top 5A scorers; Sophie Nielson, G/SF, sophomore, returns after being named to 5A third team as a freshman; Lucy Chin, SG, junior, ranked in the top three 5A 3-point shooters; and Charlotte O’Neal, PF/C, junior.

Key newcomers are Taylor Workman, SG/SF, junior; Cosette Arnoldsen, G/SF, junior; Hazel Smith, C, sophomore; Cassidy Mulholland, PF/C, junior; Ruth Larsen, G/SF, junior; Ava Nielsen, G, sophomore; and Kira Pittman, PF/C, junior.

Brighton boys basketball preseason is also off to 3-3 start. With a mix of returning players—Nash Matheson, Josh Mawhinney, Caden Morzelewski, Bradley Easton—and some new players in Luke Christensen, Jaxon Soto, Creighton Evers, Case Beames and Carson Janke, the Bengal team depth proved valuable.  

“The team is working hard and will need to commit to strong defense and rebounding each game out,” coach Tim Gardner said. “We look forward to the process and aim to play our best basketball in February.” λ