Snow College men off to 4-1 start under new head coach

BySanpete Messenger

By William Cheshire

EPHRAIM—The Snow College men’s basketball team has opened its season with four consecutive victories following an opening loss, giving the Badgers a 4-1 record under new Head Coach Brad Kitchen.

The winning streak includes a 106-101 overtime upset of No. 8 Indian Hills Community College and a 104-75 victory over Sauk Valley Community College.

Snow Badger Easton Hawkins puts up a shot against Treasure Valley.
Snow Badger Easton Hawkins puts up a shot against Treasure Valley.

Kitchen took over the program after former Head Coach Andrew May departed to become an assistant coach at Utah Valley University following a 29-5 season. Kitchen previously served as an assistant coach for the Badgers from 2022-25 before taking the head coaching position at Timpview High School for the 2025-26 season.

Opening weekend and home debut

Snow College opened its season Oct. 30 at the Snow Classic, held at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield.

Despite 34 points from sophomore guard Max Toombs, the Badgers fell to Treasure Valley Community College 83-81 in their season opener.

Snow bounced back the following day with a 73-71 victory over Northwest College. Redshirt freshman guard Easton Hawkins of Lehi hit a buzzer-beating shot to secure the win. Hawkins, Toombs and sophomore guard James Rust each scored 12 points.

The Badgers carried that momentum into their home opener Nov. 3 at the Horne Activity Center in Ephraim, defeating Colorado Northwestern Community College 114-56.

Six Badgers scored in double figures, led by Kobe Jones with 21 points. Julian Cuillier added 16 points, eight assists and six rebounds.

Two wins in Iowa

Snow then traveled to Ottumwa, Iowa, for the Norris Asphalt Classic, where the Badgers upset No. 8 Indian Hills Community College 106-101 in overtime Nov. 6.

Cuillier led Snow with 25 points, while sophomore Amari Davis contributed 21 points and nine rebounds. Rust recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

The following morning, Snow defeated Sauk Valley Community College 104-75. Toombs led the scoring with 27 points, while Hawkins added 21. Freshman Shane Skidmore of Spokane, Wash., collected 10 rebounds and a block.

Snow has scored more than 100 points in each of its last three games, with different players leading the offense. The Badgers have also received contributions from several newcomers as they adjust to a significantly changed roster.

Only three players returned from last season’s team, including Toombs, one of the team’s leading scorers last year, and Rust.

Cuillier has emerged as a key contributor and was named Scenic West Athletic Conference Player of the Week following his performances in the Badgers’ three victories last week.

With Kitchen leading the program, Snow is looking to build on last season’s success, which included an appearance in the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament.

Up next

The Badgers will next travel to Yuma, Ariz., for the Region 1/Region 18 Challenge, facing Eastern Arizona College on Nov. 13 and Arizona Western College on Nov. 14.

Snow will remain on the road until Dec. 12, when the Badgers host South Plains College at the Horne Activity Center in Ephraim.