Video: Jaxon Brenchley's highlights vs. Layton High School
HYRUM, Utah – Getting a late introduction to basketball hasn't slowed
Jaxon Brenchley down.
The
Mountain Crest (Hyrum) guard and his family spent much of his early childhood living in China. There weren't many basketball hoops where he lived, so Brenchley took up soccer. That all changed when he moved back to the United States at age 10.
Brenchley started playing basketball. By the time he reached high school, playing on the court instead of the pitch became his passion.
"I didn't try out for soccer," Brenchley said. "I just stuck with basketball. I love soccer, but I'm retired from soccer."
Making that decision has paid off for both Brenchley and his team. The 6-foot-4 junior is evolving into a fine all-around player for the Mustangs, averaging 18.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.0 steals through Mountain Crest's first eight games.
It isn't surprising to see, given the steady progress Brenchley has shown each year. He made an immediate impact as a freshman, averaging 12.9 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest. As a sophomore, Brenchley boosted his contributions to 17.5 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game.
"If he stays with his work ethic, who knows where he'll end up?" Mountain Crest coach Graydon Buchmiller said. "It's just amazing to me how high a level he reaches as he continues to progress. It's not just a little bit. It's huge jumps."
Brenchley has worked hard to model his game after what BYU point guard Kyle Collinsworth does. Collinsworth set the NCAA record for career triple-doubles with eight so far. He hasn't reached that sort of level yet, but Brenchley is pushing himself to fit the same mold.
His attitude is simple – figure out the area where he can make the greatest impact on the court during a game and then get to work.
"I just try to play the right way," Brenchley said. "Take what's there for me or kick it out for an open shot. Just make the right play."
This season is the first where Brenchley and his teammates will be battling Class 5A teams in region play and the postseason. Mountain Crest moved up from Class 4A before the season and has already played a tough non-region schedule that includes defending Class 5A champion Layton.
For Brenchley, getting to play tougher opponents is a welcome opportunity. He prepared for the season by adding muscle to his frame, so he could finish through contact around the rim easier than in the past. Brenchley feels like the tough schedule will also toughen him as a player.
"It makes you want to be a better player," Brenchley said. "You should always keep working to get better. There's always a defense that can shut you down or get into you. There's always time for improvement."
Brenchley's skills have drawn attention from colleges. He has already been offered scholarships by Utah State and Utah Valley. Utah, BYU, Stanford, Colorado, Oregon State, Boise State and Harvard are also recruiting the Mustang guard.
The interest in Brenchley should only grow. Buchmiller feels like he is a player who has barely scratched the surface of what he can offer to a team at the next level.
"His continued commitment to improve as a player has allowed him to keep progressing," Buchmiller said. "A lot of kids have their success plateau. Jaxon is one of those kids that keeps pushing and pushing. Every year he comes back even better."
John Coon covers Utah high school sports for MaxPreps. You can contact him at john_coon@hotmail.com and follow him on Twitter at @johncoonsports
