COMMENTARY — Hey, let’s face it, there’s nothing like star power.

Coaches talk of teamwork and sharing the ball and getting everyone involved and all that is very true and very important. But sometimes a team needs an Alpha Male, someone you can hand the rock to and say, “Go get it.”

Last week, in Pine View’s come-from-behind victory against Desert Hills, a win that will likely give us a tie for the region crown between the two teams, Panthers coach Darrell Larsen called his team out at halftime. He told them they needed to play harder, they needed to play better, and they needed someone to step up and be a leader.

Clearly, Kody Wilstead got the message. The 6-foot-6 senior scored 25 of his career-high 33 points in the second half, including a couple of monster dunks and a steal and finger-roll layup that clinched the game in the closing seconds.

It was a perfect illustration of how that star power can change a game.

Two nights later, Dixie’s Jake Hawes showed his star power against Cedar. The Flyers senior, perhaps inspired by the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem in pregame, started the contest on fire. He made a 3-pointer right out of the gate, then proceeded to hit three more of the long-bombs before halftime, tallying a total of 18 points in the first 16 minutes.

Needless to say, Cedar had no answer for Hawes’ magma-esque start and the Flyers romped to an easy 65-46 victory.

Around the region we’ve seen similar things happen. D-Hills star Quincy Mathews is ultra-consistent and has scored at least 20 points in 10 straight games. The likely player of the year in Region 9, Mathews is averaging nearly 21 points a game. He is a star that always shines.

At Cedar, Kyle Wood has gone off at times this year. James Bennion, of Hurricane, nearly single-handedly led the Tigers to an upset win over Dixie earlier this year with a 37-point outing. For Snow Canyon and Canyon View, they are much better teams when Jacob Frei and Keaton Kringlen go off.

Yes, star power has been huge this season, and with the playoffs less than two weeks away, these Lead Dogs are going to be at their best if their respective teams want to bring home that state championship trophy.

Here’s a look at the last week’s games and playoff chances:

1. Pine View (18-2, 9-2 in region, 57.4 ppg, 48.8 papg) — With just one game left (Friday vs. Cedar), Pine View can clinch at least a share of the region title with a win or a D-Hills loss. Playoff spot: First or second (third is possible, but unlikely. Remaining game (1): 2/13 vs. Cedar. Likely first-round playoff game: At home vs. North Sanpete or Juab.

2. Desert Hills (15-5 overall, 8-2 in region, 60.3 ppg, 52.1 papg) — Winning the region is unlikely for the Thunder now, but a pair of wins this week against fifth-place Hurricane and seventh-place Canyon View will likely give them a share of the crown. Playoff spot: First or second (third possible). Remaining games (2): 2/11 vs. Canyon View; 2/13 vs. Hurricane. Likely first-round playoff game: At home vs. North Sanpete or Juab.

3. Dixie (15-5, 7-3, 65.3 ppg, 56.9 papg) — That tough loss to Hurricane leaves the Flyers wishing and hoping for PV and DH to lose so they can sneak up into second or first. But most likely it will be third place for the Flyboys. Playoff spot: Likely third. Remaining games (2): 2/11 vs. Snow Canyon; 2/13 at Canyon View. Likely first-round playoff game: Road trip to Richfield or Payson (who are currently tied for first in Region 12).

4. Cedar (10-8, 5-5, 50.4 ppg, 52.5 papg) — The Redmen got a huge win vs. Snow Canyon last week, but still haven’t clinched that No. 4 spot over the surging Hurricane Tigers. The two teams will settle it once and for all Wednesday with a duel at CHS. Cedar clinches with a win. Playoff spot: Likely fourth. Remaining games (2): 2/11 vs. Hurricane; 2/13 at Pine View. Likely first-round playoff game: Road trip to Richfield or Payson (who are currently tied for first in Region 12).

 

5. Hurricane (3-7, 6-13, 48.5 ppg; 53.2 papg) — What’s the hottest team in Region 9? Well, probably Pine View. But right behind them is Hurricane, which has taken 3 of 4 games. But the late surge will go for naught if the Tigers can’t win their last two games. Playoff spot: Hoping for fourth. Remaining games (2): 2/11 at Cedar; 2/13 at Desert Hills. Likely first-round playoff game: Hoping for road trip to Richfield or Payson (who are currently tied for first in Region 12).

6. Snow Canyon (3-8, 7-12, 55.6 ppg, 61.6 papg) — It’s been a tough finish to the season for the Warriors, who have dropped seven of their last eight games. A win to close the season vs. Dixie would be salve for the SC wounds. Playoff spot: None. Remaining games (1): 2/11 at Dixie.

7. Canyon View (1-9, 7-12, 55.9 ppg, 56.8 papg) — The Falcons almost spoiled things for Pine View last week, but lost in overtime. Now they get a shot at the other two region leaders. A surprise win could really shuffle the top of the region. Playoff spot: None. Remaining games (2): 2/11 at Desert Hills; 2/13 vs. Dixie.

This week’s boys standings and schedule:

Region 9	W	L	PS	PA	pct.	W	L	PS	PA	pct.
Pine View	9	2	614	548	.818	18	2	1148	976	.900
Desert Hills	8	2	627	536	.800	15	5	1213	1041	.750
Dixie	7	3	636	568	.700	15	5	1305	1137	.750
Cedar	5	5	492	536	.500	10	8	908	945	.556
Hurricane	3	7	530	586	.300	6	13	922	1011	.316
Snow Canyon	3	8	623	681	.273	7	12	1057	1171	.368
Canyon View	1	9	532	599	.100	7	12	1063	1079	.368

2/11 – Wednesday
Canyon View at Desert Hills, 7 p.m.
Hurricane at Cedar, 7 p.m.
Snow Canyon at Dixie, 7 p.m.
2/13 – Friday
Cedar at Pine View, 7 p.m.
Dixie at Canyon View, 7 p.m.
Hurricane at Desert Hills, 7 p.m.

Girls basketball

Cedar has the region title in hand already and the other three playoff teams are probably already decided (Canyon View is fifth and has an outside chance to sneak in there), but who finishes where is still very much in the air for the second, third and fourth-place teams.

The Lady Reds did all the heavy lifting already and they will host a playoff game next week against Richfield or North Sanpete. But where do we go from there?

Desert Hills, 6-4, moved from fourth to second with a big win Thursday. The Lady Thunder can clinch that No. 2 spot and a home playoff game next week with two wins this week. They are winnable games, but both on the road. Tonight DH is at Canyon View and a win will guarantee a playoff spot. Thursday D-Hills is at last-place Hurricane.

Snow Canyon and Pine View are tied for third at 6-5 in region and have just one game left each. The Warriors can clinch a playoff spot with a win tonight at home vs. sixth-place Dixie. Pine View has a tougher finish as the Lady Panthers are off tonight, but finish at Cedar. Canyon View must win tonight vs. D-Hills and Thursday at Dixie and hope PV loses Thursday to force a play-in game early next week. Dixie and Hurricane are out of playoff contention.

Carbon has already clinched the Region 12 crown, so whichever team finishes fourth will have to head to coal country.

This week’s girls basketball standings and schedule:

Region 9	W	L	PS	PA	pct.	W	L	PS	PA	pct.
Cedar	10	0	510	394	1.000	16	3	905	715	.842
Desert Hills	6	4	566	488	.600	12	7	1128	973	.632
Snow Canyon	6	5	594	586	.545	9	12	965	1084	.429
Pine View	6	5	529	513	.545	10	7	805	830	.588
Canyon View	4	6	368	458	.400	6	14	772	933	.300
Dixie	3	7	523	553	.300	10	9	936	930	.526
Hurricane	1	9	470	568	.100	3	16	819	990	.158

2/10 – Tuesday
Cedar at Hurricane, 7 p.m.
Desert Hills at Canyon View, 7 p.m.
Dixie at Snow Canyon, 7 p.m.
2/12 – Thursday
Canyon View at Dixie, 7 p.m.
Desert Hills at Hurricane, 7 p.m.
Pine View at Cedar, 7 p.m.

Wrestling and swimming

Both sports head to Utah County for the state meets Friday and Saturday.

The grapplers will be at Utah Valley University and there will likely be four or five state champions from Region 9. Look for a full report, with video and photographs, Saturday here on STGNews.com.

Southern Utah teams will be very competitive at the state swim meet as well Friday and Saturday at BYU. We will also be covering that event, so look for a full report here.

“This Week in Region 9″ is a weekly column written by Andy Griffin exploring the happenings in Region 9 at all sports venues. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of St. George News.

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