When it took almost four minutes for anyone to score Saturday in the Desert Hills-Richfield game, Thunder fans knew it was going to be a different kind of game.
Quincy Matthews finally broke the scoreless tie, but the Desert Hills defense was pretty stubborn in a 52-33 win over the Wildcats Saturday afternoon inside the Sevier Valley Center in frigid Richfield. DH comes away from the two-day event with a pair of blowout wins in preparation for Wednesday’s region opener vs. Dixie.
Matthews finished with a team-high 13 points as the 2-1 Thunder allowed just 19 points in the game’s first three quarters in building a 37-19 lead. Richfield managed just seven made field goals in the game’s 32 minutes of play.
Austin Adams, Jordan Hokanson and Landen Broadhead each added seven for Desert Hills. The Thunder made 13 of 19 free throws. Richfield took its only lead of the game at 3-2 when Brandon Willardson converted a three-point play after Matthews’ opening bucket. Moments later, DH got back to back buckets by Brycen Williams and Matthews to take the lead at 6-3.
The Wildcats were within 9-7 early in the second quarter when DH went on a 10-0 run. Broadhead hit a trey to spark the run and Trey Tanner also added a pair of baskets.
Desert Hills plays at Dixie Wednesday, then participates in the Ken Robinson Classic next Friday and Saturday at DHS and Dixie State.
Snow Canyon 67, Bear River 59 (Rigo Chaparro Classic in Hyrum)
Nate Gottfredson racked up 20 points and three blocks before fouling out in the SC victory against the Bears.
It was a small measure of revenge for SC, which was eliminated from championship contention in the state semifinals last year by Bear River. Tanner Sampson added 14 and Jacob Frei and Chase Jenkins added 10 each as the Warriors broke it open late in the game. Jenkins also had eight assists and six rebounds.
Ninety seconds into the game, it looked like a repeat from 10 months ago as the Bears started off with an 8-0 lead. Gottfredson and Sampson got the Warriors on the scoreboard, but things got worse late in the first quarter as BR built a 15-5 edge. Gottfredson and Frei scored to make it 15-9, then Brock Staheli’s free throws with 21 seconds to go in the first quarter cut it to 15-11.
Gottfredson hit back to back post buckets to tie the game, then Frei hit a runner to make it 17-15, completing a 12-0 SC run. The game stayed close and was tied at 59-59 midway through the fourth quarter before the Warriors scored the final eight points. Jenkins and Hayden Anderson hit baskets sandwiched around a Jenkins steal, making it 63-59 with time winding down. After a blocked shot by Frei, an Anderson miss led to Gottfredson’s fifth foul. With the big guy gone, SC turned to Jenkins, who nailed a 3-pointer to make it 66-59 and ice the game.
The Warriors, 3-2, play at Enterprise Wednesday and start region Dec. 18 at home vs. Pine View.
Payson 67, Hurricane 52 (at 3A Preview in Richfield)
Cody Lebaron had another big game with 26 points, but the Tigers dropped to 0-3.
Lebaron hit four 3-pointers and the Tigers were within 9-8 halfway through the first quarter. But that’s when the Lions went on a 3-minute, 11-0 run. Hurricane closed to within 26-25 midway through the second quarter, but another Payson run, this time an 8-1 stretch, pushed the lead back to eight. Hurricane would no closer than six after that.
The Tigers open region at Pine View Wednesday, then battle non-region foe Parowan Friday.
STATS: PHS 67, HHS 52
Dixie 61, Stansbury 44
The Flyers got the blowout win with Sam Guymon, Jake Hawes and Tyler Bennett all reaching double-figures.
Dixie improves to 2-0 with the win. The Flyers start region play at home against crosstown rival Desert Hills Wednesday, then act as host for the Ken Robinson Classic Friday and Saturday.
Cedar 54, Morgan 53
Dustin Staggs tossed in the game-winning free throw in the closing seconds to give the Redmen their second win of the season.
Cedar sent the Trojans, the defending state champions, to their fourth defeat in as many games this season. The redmen, who are now 2-1, start region play at home vs. Canyon View Friday night.
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