HURRICANE — Haley Bodnar and the Desert Hills Thunder are starting to hit full stride and that’s bad news for the rest of Region 9.

Bodnar, the 6-foot-4 senior center, scored 24 points and point guard Blair Bliss added 14 as Desert Hills blasted Hurricane 83-50 Tuesday night in the first regi0n game of the new year at Tigers Gymnasium.

Hurricane’s not a bad team, entering the game with a 7-4 record and a dynamic scorer in Brooklyn Gubler, who averages nearly 17 points a game. But the Lady Tigers had no chance against the No. 1-ranked Thunder. DH ran out to a double-digit lead in the games opening minutes and extended it to 23-7 at the first break. By halftime, it was 44-22. The DH lead was 63-34 after three quarters.

Bodnar’s size and athleticism ruled the game. Hurricane has no player bigger than 5-11 on its team and Bodnar’s teammates were content to set the talented post player up early and often. Her 24 points is a season high and matches her career high set 364 days ago against Snow Canyon. She is a four-year varsity player for Desert Hills and has already signed to play college basketball at Purdue University.

The Thunder, 12-1 overall and 3-0 in Region 9 play, have topped the 80-point plateau in each of the last two games and are averaging 63.8 points a game this season while surrendering just 41.7 per game.

Bliss hit three 3-pointers and freshman Ashley Beckstrand also hit three treys and added 13 points. Emily Seifert was also in double-figures with 10 points and eight different DH players scored in the rout.

Desert Hills, which has won six straight for the second time this season, continues region play Thursday night against winless Pine View at the Thunderdome. Hurricane beat Pine View earlier this season 61-34.

The Tigers, 7-5 overall and 1-1 in region, got 12 points from Sela Filo. Gubler and Madison Hall added 11 each. Hurricane also plays another region game Thursday night as they host Snow Canyon in what could end up being a key game in playoff positioning.

Snow Canyon 52, Pine View 36

The Lady Warriors went to 2-0 in region with the easy home win. Ashlee Nyborg had 14 points to lead the way and Grace Walton added 11.

Snow Canyon’s defense was especially stingy, allowing just 18 points in the first three quarters before giving way to the reserves and JV players. The Warriors held a 48-18 lead going into the final period.

SC, which normally surrenders about 49 points a game, allowed just three points in the third quarter. The Warriors improve to 6-4 overall and 2-0 in region play. Snow Canyon travels to Hurricane Thursday night.

Pine View, 0-9 and 0-2, was led by Tayvia Ah Quin, who had eight points. The Lady Panthers play at Desert Hills Thursday night.

Cedar 30, Dixie 25

The Lady Flyers killed themselves at the free throw line, making just 5 of 12 attempts during the defensive slugfest.

The first quarter was the key as Cedar held Dixie to just three points en route to a 12-3 advantage. Dixie played better than even the rest of the way, even holding Cedar to just two points in the second quarter. But Dixie could never catch the Lady Reds.

Cedar’s Javlyn Weaver led all scorers with 12 points, with CHS’s Courtney Morley adding 10. Dixie was anchored by Liz Empey’s 10 points with Alexa Estridge chipping in 6.

The Lady Reds, 7-6 overall and 1-2 in region, are off until next Tuesday’s road game at Snow Canyon. Dixie, 5-6 and 0-3, plays at Canyon View Thursday night.

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