Leah Hogsten/The Salt Lake Tribune
Looking to finish on top
by By John Coon, Salt Lake Tribune
Josh Augustine feels a sense of urgency.
Augustine is entering his third season as Waterford's starting point guard. It is not only his last year of high school basketball, it's also the last year he gets to play with his younger brother Jordan, a sophomore guard for the Ravens.
Augustine's goal as a senior is to go out at nothing less than the top.
"There's always that feel, but especially now,"Augustine said. "Me and my brother - we want to get a state title. Last year we didn't have our best year and could have done better."
Claiming the Class 2-A state crown could be easier said than done.
Waterford faces an uphill battle, even in its own region. Region 14 favorites South Summit and North Summit both return playoff-tested, experienced rosters. Juab is expected to be down from last year's team which finished second in the classification, but not by much.
Things don't look to get much easier for the Ravens next season when all of their sports programs take a step up to 3-A.
But if there is a player out there that can will his team to the victories, Augustine is it. He is the quintessential gym rat. He arrives at the gym early and would stay all night if he was permitted.
Waterford coach Reid Monson thinks Augustine possesses all the intangibles any coach needs in a good point guard.
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"What he brings, to me, is a guy who's been through the fire, who's been through significant state play, who's been through significant defensive battles and assignments," Monson said. "He knows how to lead and loves the game."
During the Ravens' 2-1 start, Augustine's 12.3 points per game has accounted for roughly a quarter of the team's offense. He also has proved to be an able distributor, with six other Waterford players averaging three or more points per game.
Augustine said he has a different perspective in his third year running the Raven offense. He is familiar with what goes on when he is out on the floor to the point that no situation fazes him - no matter what kind of pressure comes with it.
Augustine serves as a mentor to his younger brother, who at times spells him at point guard and at others joins him in the backcourt. He enjoys having an opportunity to show his brother the ropes and instruct him on the finer points of directing an offense.
Augustine can't think of a better teammate.
"I personally really like it," he said, of playing with his brother Jordan. "Growing up, playing [in the] backyard all of our lives, we've had a lot of two-on-two games together. We know how the other likes to play."
Once the curtain drops on his last high school season, Augustine would like to follow in the footsteps of another brother, and play in college.
His older brother, Matt, played at Colorado Northwestern - a junior college - for a year, followed by a pair of one-season stints at NAIA schools Cascade College and Corban College.
To the point
* Josh Augustine is a three-year starter at point guard for Waterford.
* The senior is also leading the Ravens in scoring with 12.3 points per game.