Utah Pump N Run Basketball

It was obvious after last season that Skyline's Ryan Osterloh has talent. It was a solid junior year throughout, and he played his role to the best of his ability. He wasn't the trigger man, but he could score and did so at a moderate pace. There were games he would score in double digits.
However, there were no signs that he would be leading his team in scoring by an absurdly large margin, or that he would be leading his team to one of the best records in the state.

The Eagles opened the season with a 49-44 win over Mountain Crest. The most noteworthy aspect of the game was Osterloh finished with 22 points, easily besting his career high of 18 last season in a game against Hunter.

Osterloh started last year well, but his numbers dwindled as the season wore on and his role grew less prominent to that of teammate Kevin Wagstaff's. Osterloh is off to another hot start, although this time he isn't showing any signs of slowing down.

"He's taken a big leap," said first-year coach Derek Bunting. "He's a three-year starter, and a solid player the last two. Fundamentally sound. He has really blossomed into one of the best in the state."

Kind words from a coach that has only known him for a season. Bunting can only go from the tape he has seen of years past, but he's got one thing right: Osterloh has become one of the elite players in Utah.

Osterloh's role of being the go-to-guy hasn't caused him to forget the other responsibilities on the court either. If he isn't terrorizing the opposing team on offense he's back on defense, showing the same tenacity without the ball as he does with it.

"Ryan is multi-dimensional, a great defender," said Bunting. "He enjoys practice and working hard. He takes pride on focusing on the little things and is willing to put in the work."
Osterloh has spent much of his time working to get better since the end of last season. At 6-foot-3 and 180 pounds, Osterloh used the offseason to perfect on the aspects of the game that he can control, primarily what he does when he gets the ball. He went up against some of the best high school players in the Pump-N-Run summer league.

"I just put a lot of time in on my own game," said Osterloh. "I hope it has helped, being more prepared.

"The competition was way higher [at Pump-N-Run], everyone was All-State. It was good to experience that, and come back (to school) and demonstrate what you've learned."

And he has. Osterloh is averaging 19.8 points per game thus far this season, and that number has been rising in recent weeks. As competition has been getting tougher, Osterloh's numbers have gone up.


In the Eagles' first loss of the season this past week to Brighton, Skyline was down early 9-19 after a dismal first quarter. Osterloh led the charge to get back into the game, scoring 25 points that included four three-pointers. He has been at his best when his team has been otherwise, which hasn't been often.

The new role of scoring leader has come at the expense of Wagstaff, last year's top point producer. Not that sacrificing points in favor of spreading the ball doesn't have it perks, though, as Skyline started the season with eleven wins. Osterloh knows his production wouldn't be nearly what it is without Wagstaff getting him the ball.


"Kevin's always giving me good shots," said Osterloh. "He regulates the team; everything goes through him."


And while the score sheet boasts big numbers for Osterloh, he quickly defers taking all the credit as his team sits atop the state.

"The way we're successful is playing as a team. Every role is as important as the next, and we're always looking out for each other," said Osterloh.

If every role is as important as the next, then the Eagles better continue to make sure they what they can to get the ball into Osterloh's hands.


Points » Guard Ryan Osterloh is averaging 19.8 points per game to lead Skyline.
 First loss » Skyline has been ranked No. 1 in Class 5A this season and took its first loss last week against Brighton.