For Juan Diego senior Brian Curran, his senior basketball campaign was supposed to be Juan Diego climbing from the ranks of middle-of-the-pack, to the rarified air of contender.
A 6-5 record entering region play provided optimism. Then, a four-game losing streak to start their league forced the entire program to dig deep and try to salvage the rest of the season.
"We were all getting frustrated that we just couldn’t get a win," said Curran. "We’re a pretty tight-knit group so we all just put our heads down and worked harder. "
Following the loss to Wasatch, coach Brandon Sluga said he just laid it all out for the guys. "I told them we needed to practice harder and that I know we’re capable of so much more," he said.
After an attitude and intensity adjustment, and moving 6-foot-6 junior Easton Withers into the starting lineup, Juan Diego defeated Uintah 46-42 then squeaked by Union 41-37.
With some optimism breathed back into the program, Curran knew a playoff berth hinged on more region wins. A ten-point loss at Judge Memorial was followed by a 51-49 loss to Wasatch, where Curran scored a career high of 25, but watched helplessly as his 3-pointer at the buzzer missed.
"Brian is kind of a do it all guy," said Sluga. "He usually draws the toughest offensive player, he’s our best perimeter shooter, can put the ball on the floor, and can post up when called upon."
Four nights later Juan Diego earned a road win at Park City as Curran, and freshman Gabe Colosimo, combined for 29 points in a 53-50 victory.
"That loss to Wasatch was tough … it was senior night and everyone was really motivated," said Curran. "Against Park City we came out focused and I think we’re at our best when we’re a little more balanced offensively."
In a year where nothing seemed to come easy, Juan Diego saw their season take another turn when a 65-52 loss at Uintah paired the same two schools in a Tuesday play-in game.
For Brian Curran there was no doubt, this was his moment. Curran dominated as his Soaring Eagle crushed Uintah, 77-44 behind six, 3-pointers and another career high of 32.
Their reward? A date with a Desert Hills team that defeated Juan Diego 81-44 on Dec. 9.
Curran looks at this challenge as just another opportunity.
"We didn’t play well the first game, and we’ve grown up a lot since then," said Curran. "Ultimately, I’m just excited to play another game."
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