Minky Couture Week 24 high school star athletes of the week

Boys Basketball

Jason Hernandez, Green River (Sr.)

A 3-year contributor for Green River, last Friday Jason Hernandez went over 1,000 career points as he scored 27 points in an 87-51. He’s been on a tear with 86 total points in the Pirates’ last three games.

“Jason is having an amazing season for the Pirates. He is a leader both on and off the court. He loves playing basketball. He is a gym rat and is often the last one to leave the gym. He constantly draws the best defender from opponents, and he finds ways to help his team succeed,” said Green River coach Greg Parson.

For the season, Hernandez is averaging 19.9 points, 6.4 assists, 3.7 steals and 3.9 rebounds.

“He is not only an offensive minded player, but he is one of our top defenders as well. Jason is like having a coach on the floor, he often picks up on things and brings them to the huddle to help make our team better,” added Parson.

In the fall, Hernandez was also voted a 1A second team all-stater in baseball.

Girls Basketball

Danzee Bradshaw, Beaver (Sr.)

A Deseret News first team all-stater in softball and basketball each of the past three years for Beaver, Danzee Bradshaw is a special athlete for Beaver.

Last week, she one-upped even herself with a triple double in Beaver’s 70-52 win over Crimson Cliffs. She tallied 11 points, 19 rebounds and 10 assists in the win.

“In my 30 years as the head coach here at Beaver High School it is one of the few, if not the only, triple double we have had a player achieve. Proud of Danzee and her teammates. They have been so fun to coach,” said Beaver coach Jonathan Marshall.

For the season, Bradshaw is averaging 12.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists and 2.1 steals. She’s also a BYU softball commit.

“Danzee has been a great leader on our team the last four years and a huge reason for our team’s success. Danzee and her teammates have been playing very unselfish basketball and have done a great job of sacrificing their individual stats for the good of the team,” said Marshall.

Boys Swimming

Marcus Richter, Murray (Jr.)

Marcus Richter was one of the top swimmers in 4A a year ago as a sophomore, and this year is no different for the junior.

Richter ranks in the top six in 4A in five different events this season, including ranking in the top seven in the entire state in two of those events.

His specialty is the 200 individual medley. The defending 4A state champ in that event, his time this season of 1:58.25 ranks first in 4A and third overall.

His 100 butterfly time of 52.91 also ranks first in 4A this season, and seventh overall.

Richter’s other best performances are in the 100 and 200 free, where he ranks fifth in 4A, and the 100 back where he ranks sixth.

Girls Swimming

Waimea Barlow, Weber (Sr.)

With just over a month remaining in her high school swimming career, Weber’s Waimea Barlow looks to go out with a bang. A four-year contributor for the Warriors, the senior has eyes on a couple more podium finish at state next month.

“Waimea Barlow is a very driven and talented athlete that has brought a lot to Weber’s swim team for the last four years. She always puts forth her best effort and her whole heart in every part of the sport and school, from practice to the classroom and at competition,” said Weber coach Henderson Bird.

“This initiative has led her to break multiple team records and earning medals at region and state competition starting as a freshman. Waimea brings lots of energy and enthusiasm to Weber swim and has been an essential part of the team for the last four years.”

At the 6A state meet a year ago, Barlow finished third in the 200 freestyle and fourth in the 500 free. This season, along with those two events, she also ranks in the top 10 in 6A in two other events — the 100 butterfly and 100 free.

Boys Wrestling

Perry Fowler, Syracuse (Jr.)

Syracuse junior Perry Fowler lives and breathes wrestling, and it’s showing through this season.

Fowler owns a 27-0 record so far, which includes a win over Uintah’s Ethan Sharp last week in the Ross Brunson Utah All-Star Duals at UVU. It was the third straight year he won his all-star match.

Among the titles for the 132 pounder, he won the Christmas Clash in Farmington back on Dec. 20, and then the Cache Valley Classic at Green Canyon the week before.

“He is a slick, quick, offensive wrestler. He loves to score points. Perry lives on the wrestling mat and never shies away from tough competition,” said Syracuse coach Troy Brown.

Fowler was a third-place finisher at the 6A state tournament a year ago at 113 pounds. He’s got his eyes set a bigger goal at next month’s state tourney.

Girls Wrestling

Eva Zimmerman, Hillcrest (Sr.)

A three-time state championship, Hillcrest senior Eva Zimmerman isn’t showing any signs of slowing down in her quest for a fourth.

Zimmerman improved to 21-0 last week with a win over Uintah standout Leena Sharp at the Ross Brunson Utah All-Star Duals at UVU. It was her second win over Sharp in the past week.

“Eva is special. I don’t think that many athletes like her exist. She is an absolute wrestling junkie and that has a profound effect on her teammates. She is very intentional with the way she lives her life to align with her goals,” said Hillcrest coach Nick Pappas.

“She practices hard, takes notes, makes sure she gets enough sleep and is very cognizant of her diet. She does all of the little things the right way. It is no surprise that the culmination of all of those things is the amazing season she is putting together this year.”

Zimmerman hasn’t given up a takedown all season according to Pappas. Considering that she wrestled in back-to-back weekends at the Women’s Ironman in Ohio and the Reno Tournament of Championships, not allowing a takedown during her 10 wins is even more impressive.