Bulldog basketball: Allen, Tollestrup lead Provo to 15th straight win
-
- Provo’s Callen Tollestrup drives to the basket against Mountain View in a Region 8 boys basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 20 2026.
-
- Provo boys basketball coach Chris Collinsworth (in green shirt) watches the action during a Region 8 game at Mountain View on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
-
- Provo’s Makai Allen (2) takes a jump shot against Mountain View in a Region 8 boys basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2026.
-
- Mountain View’s Aiden Peterson (2) drives against Provo’s Lucas Castangetto in a Region 8 boys basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
-
- Mountain View’s Josh Hair (23) drives to the basket against Provo in a Region 8 boys basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
-
- Provo boys basketball coach Chris Collinsworth (center) instructs his team in a time out during a Region 8 game at Mountain View on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
-
- Provo’s Makai Allen (2) looks to pass while Mountain View’s Aiden Peterson plays defense in a Region 8 boys basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
-
- Provo’s Lucas Castagnetto (32) launches a 3-pointer against Mountain View in a Region 8 boys basketball game on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
After Provo won its 15th consecutive game on Tuesday, Bulldogs head coach Chris Collinsworth tried to keep things in perspective.
“We’re not patting ourselves on the back because tomorrow we’ve won zero games,” he said.
That reset attitude is clearly working well. Provo led by as many as 32 points in a 74-60 Region 8 victory against Mountain View.
“We came out, played well and got the job done,” Collinsworth said. “There are always things you can learn from games, and that’s the goal, is to learn and get better. We wanted to win this one and we want to win the next one, but we’re trying to win a state championship.
“We started 1-3 but two of those three losses were on go-ahead shots in the last three seconds, and it was good to learn those lessons. We’d love to have those games back but credit to our team, we didn’t get off course. We just kept working on our principles we believe in and kept getting better. We’re trying to build a culture and get back to our Provo basketball roots. It’s nice when you’re at a school that’s won 17 state titles and those alumni and coaches are still around talking to the guys and permeating that winning culture.”
One of the state’s best scorers, senior guard Makai Allen (23.7 points per game), poured in 25 points on an assortment of drives and pull-ups against Mountain View as the Bulldogs maintained the No. 1 spot in Class 4A RPI.
This season, Provo added Timpview transfer Callen Tollestrup, a 6-foot-8 shooter who has found a good place to develop his game.
“Callen’s brought a lot to us,” Collinsworth said. “First of all, he’s a great kid and a really, really good basketball player. Credit to him and credit to our team because when he came over, he fit right in and complimented Makai and the rest of the guys. We couldn’t be more grateful, honestly.”
Tollestrup was part of a talented group at Timpview, including the state’s No. 1-rated player in Dean Rueckert. Tollestrup was third on the team in scoring (9.5 points per game) and second in 3-pointers (53) last season.
This spring, T-Birds head coach Israel Ingle left for Lone Peak and Tollestrup decided it was time for a change for him as well.
“It was a real thinking point,” Tollestrup said. “I played for Izzy for three years and then he left to benefit him, and I respect him for that. I was just looking for the best way to fit in with a program and work on getting good looks for my future. I was looking for a place I could make an impact, help my team win and helps us make it far.
“The guys are Timpview are my boys. I still hang out with them, keep in touch with them and play with them. But I was looking for a coach and a situation where I could be used in the right ways, to get better every day and be determined so I could play at the next level.”
Tollestrup said the transition was hard at first but doesn’t regret his move.
“It was a new environment and I came in not knowing anyone,” he said. “But I got with the guys, built chemistry and friendships and that helped us get to where we are today.”
Tollestrup, who scored 15 points against Mountain View, is averaging 19.8 points per game and has become a terrific compliment to Allen. Senior Lucas Castagnetto leads the team with 39 3-pointers. Senior guard Gehrig Orchard, the quarterback on the Provo football team, and senior forward Griffin DiMartini are versatile athletes who help create one the 4A’s best starting fives.
“Our chemistry is getting better and better every game,” Tollestrup said. “Our continuity in practice is really good. I joined in later but the guys have really been welcoming. It’s been really good to come in and play with these guys.”
On Wednesday, Provo trailed 11-8 midway through the first quarter but finished on a 14-0 run. Tollestrup scored five points and Allen scored four as the Bulldogs surged to a 22-11 lead. Provo scored the first seven points of the second quarter to make it a 21-0 burst and a 29-11 advantage.
The Bulldogs were up 43-21 at halftime and kept increasing the lead in the third quarter. DeMartini, who impacted the game with his rebounding and hustle, scored six points in a 15-2 run, where Allen scored six points and Tollestrup threw down a dunk for a 61-29 lead with 1:36 to play in the third.
Mountain View put on a fourth-quarter surge, outscoring the Bulldogs 26-11 behind 12 points from Tanner Vlaardingerbroek, but it was far too late to make up the deficit.
“It was really time and ball management there at the end of the game,” Collinsworth said. “Then you could tell we just got tired, which is on me. I probably should have made some subs. We got a little bit lax, and they got desperate. And that’s usually not a good combo for stops. But I’m really proud of the guys for the way they played and how they competed. I love there guys. We’ve got a great group of kids and that makes my job really easy.”
Provo (16-3 overall, 4-0 Region 8) will travel to Summit Academy on Friday and Mountain View (11-8, 2-2) will be at Timpanogos.
