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By Kent Larsen
Before LDS Missions: Teammates; Now: Rivals
OGDEN, UTAH -- Nic Sparrow and Chad Evans were teammates on the
'96-'97 Weber High School team that went 21-0 before losing a
quarterfinals game in the Utah State 5A playoffs. But Saturday
Sparrow and Evans, who have since both served LDS missions, were
rivals as Weber State University and Utah State University faced each
other for the 51st time. Weber State won the contest 67-64.
For Sparrow and Evans Saturday's game was a chance to remember old
times, and play against each other once more. As teenagers, the two
friends faced each other in countless one-on-one games as both honed
their skills. And both started for one of the all-time best Weber
High School teams. "It was a blast," said Sparrow. "We all played
together all the way up, all five of us. We always dreamed of taking
state. We were right on that path, we put ourselves where we needed
to be." But in the end the team that had won so many close games was
upset in the quarterfinals of the state tournament, falling short of
a state title, "Just thinking back on it, it was a great year," said
Evans. "We totally got the community behind us from North Ogden and
Pleasant View. It was amazing."
Since that heroic year, Sparrow and Evans have followed different
paths. Evans initially played for Loyola Marymount before serving an
LDS mission to Argentina. He then transferred to Utah State and spent
a season as a redshirt, working to get back into shape.
Sparrow, meanwhile, went to Weber State, where he played in 20 games
as a freshman before he also served an LDS mission -- to the
Philippines. On his return, Sparrow also redshirted to get back in
form, and has this year become one of Weber's top reserves.
But in spite of their different paths, they have managed to meet each
other on the court from time to time. "Every once in a while we get
together in the summer for a little pick-up game," said Sparrow.
"That's when we have a chance to talk and catch up on old times."
And both players were looking forward to Saturday's game "I'm really
looking forward to it, I'm looking forward to playing against Chad,"
said Sparrow. "He's been playing really well for them. He's a good
basketball player." And Evans returned the compliment, "I think it's
going to be fun," he said. "I know I'm excited to play because Weber
State is a good team. We have a lot of respect for what they've done
this year."
Source:
Teammates once - now eager rivals
Ogden UT Standard-Examiner 8Dec01 S2
By Jim Burton: Standard-Examiner staff
Weber State player now opposes old friend, USU guard
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