ST. GEORGE – Things got a little chippy Friday night in the Jungle.

An astounding 61 fouls were called during a tense 89-75 Snow Canyon win over the Canyon View Friday night on SC’s home court. The game included five disqualifications, a shoving match and a constant and steady march to the free throw line.

The pace of the game was choppy based on the fouls — 32 called on the Warriors and 29 called on the Falcons — and the more than 70 free throws shot between the two teams.

“Just the flow was off all night, but I was proud that my kids battled and played physical,” said James Brown, head coach of Snow Canyon. “They [the refs] are working their guts out trying to control the game and sometimes it gets away. We added to that because of our poor decisions also, and so I’ve never been one to say that officiating caused or didn’t cause. It’s just we have to adjust better.”

Snow Canyon held a steady lead throughout the game with strong defense and physical play and finished the first half with a 19-point lead (48-29) over the Falcons. After halftime, Canyon View guard Ryan Jensen lit up the court (he finished with 23 points on the night), spurring a late spark in his team. In the fourth quarter, after an 8-0 Falcon run, a brawl — or at least a shoving match — broke out among players after Canyon View senior Brooks Rigtrup pushed Nate Gottfredson after a play.

“The play was kind of over and I just got shoved in the back and I didn’t really see, but then they got up in each other’s faces,” Gottdredson said. “It was just getting physical out there, and they shoved and so my teammates, they had my back. That’s not going to happen out here, in our gym. So they had my back and it’s just how we play. We have each other’s backs.”

Snow Canyon senior Warner Rigby and Rigtrup, among others, shoved and had to be separated by coaches and players. Canyon View coach Rob Potter was issued a technical along with Gottfredson, Rigtrup and Rigby. No one was ejected.

The Warrior’s were led by Tanner Sampson with 18 points, Jacob Frei with 17 points and Hayden Anderson with 16 points. Gottfredson had 13 points and 13 rebounds. Frei, Anderson and Chase Jenkins all fouled out for SC, while Keaton Kringlen and Brycen Bybee fouled out for CV.

Canyon View (5-13, 2-6 region) will take on region-leading Pine View next Wednesday at the Falcon’s Nest at 7 p.m. Snow Canyon (11-6, 6-2 region) will be staying at home to play Dixie on next Wesdnesday at 7 p.m.

Snow Canyon forward Brock Staheli said they will pick it up offensively and be smart for Dixie.

“We need to do what we do,” Staheli said. “Be calm, play defense.”

Stats: SC 89, CV 75

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