Hodson Cancer Classic basketball tournament enters final day

CEDAR CITY — As the annual Steve Hodson Cancer Classic invitational basketball tournament heads into its third and final day Friday, host team Canyon View High’s girls and boys varsity teams both remain undefeated.

Canyon View girls vs. Stansbury, Steve Hodson Cancer Classic, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 28, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Wednesday night, the Canyon View boys defeated San Juan 46-32, after which the Canyon View girls defeated Stansbury 50-38. Then, on Thursday, the Falcon girls came from behind to beat South Sevier 58-49, after which Canyon View boys outlasted Millard, 66-50.

The tournament features a total of 17 varsity teams from 13 different high schools. Each day has seen a full slate of contests held in Canyon View’s main gym throughout the day, with boys and girls games alternating. Additional sub-varsity contests are taking place at Canyon View Middle School across the street.

The popular invitational tournament is staged annually between Christmas and New Year’s in memory of Steve Hodson, a former basketball coach at Canyon View, Cedar High and Southern Utah University who died of cancer in 2008.

Proceeds from the sale of admission tickets, concessions and other donations go toward financially helping selected individuals in the community who are battling cancer and their families.

This year’s two beneficiaries are 2-year-old Cashdyn Brindley, who is battling cancer for the second time, and Payton Higgins, a 2016 graduate of Canyon View High, who has since gone on to graduate from Bellevue University in Nebraska with a bachelor’s in criminal justice and a master’s degree in intelligence and security studies. He’s currently being treated for neuroendocrine carcinoma. 

Canyon View athletic director Mike Hudson said the checks are scheduled to be presented to the recipients at halftime of the Canyon View boys game vs. Richfield on Jan. 18.

The following are short recaps of Wednesday’s and Thursday’s action, with a look ahead to Friday’s games (Friday’s scores will be updated later):

Wednesday’s boys games

Panguitch 49, Hurricane 44

Panguitch led Hurricane throughout the game, holding off a late Tigers rally to secure the five-point win. Although the Bobcats missed seven free throws in a row during the fourth quarter, they later converted seven of their last eight FT attempts to hold off the Tigers. Klyn Fullmer led Panguitch with 14 points, with Cache Eyre adding 13. The Tigers were led by Owen Iloa’s 13 points.

Millard 68, Parowan 58

Millard’s Brant Stevens and Hunter Rhodes combined to score 52 points in a 10-point win over Parowan. Stevens made 27, while Rhodes added 25. For Parowan, center Brock Felder scored 26, while Luke Millett added 14.

South Sevier 58, Juab 54

South Sevier outscored the Juab Wasps 22-13 during the fourth quarter to end up with a four-point win. Ridge Tebbs led the Rams with 16 points, while Emilio Miramontes added 14.

Canyon View 46, San Juan 32

Canyon View boys vs. San Juan, Steve Hodson Cancer Classic, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 28, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

After an evenly played first quarter, Canyon View held the Broncos without a field goal during the second quarter, with the Falcons taking a 21-13 halftime lead. Jase Whittaker led Canyon View in scoring with nine points, while three of his teammates each added eight.

Wednesday’s girls games

Spanish Fork 43, Parowan 33

The Spanish Fork Dons used a 17-6 run during the third period to pull away from Parowan. Senior Brooklyn Hulet led Parowan with 15 points, while teammate Katlynn Matheson added 10.

South Sevier 50, Providence Hall 26

The South Sevier Rams jumped out to a 24-6 lead in the first quarter and never looked back in a convincing win over Providence Hall. Senior guard Hayzen Taylor led the Rams with 12 points.

Grantsville 66, San Juan 29

Hot-shooting Grantsville opened up a 38-5 lead over San Juan in the first quarter and went on to take a 51-13 halftime lead. Baylee Lowder led Grantsville with 14 points, while three of her teammates also scored in double figures.

Canyon View 50, Stansbury 38

After a slow start, Canyon View outscored Stansbury 18-8 during the second quarter to take a 25-11 halftime lead. The Falcons then stayed around 10 points ahead for the remainder of the game. Maya Nichols led Canyon View with 14 points, while Jayda Gleave added 11.

Thursday’s boys games

Parowan 50, Hurricane 48

After trailing Hurricane for almost the entire game, Parowan got the game-winning shot from guard Waylon Robinson, who swished a 3-pointer with just under 5 seconds left to put the Rams up by two.

Panguitch 67, San Juan 59

Panguitch boys vs. San Juan, Steve Hodson Cancer Classic, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 29, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Panguitch scored the first 11 points of the game and built a commanding 22-4 lead over San Juan by the end of the first quarter. The Bobcats withstood a late rally by the Broncos to secure the eight-point victory. Panguitch’s Tucker Chappell and San Juan’s Collin Baker led their respective teams in scoring with 23 points apiece. 

Desert Hills 68, South Sevier 46

The Desert Hills Thunder trailed South Sevier 25-9 after one quarter, but it didn’t take long for the Thunder to get back in the game. Desert Hills turned the tables in the third quarter, outscoring the Rams 27-9 en route to a double-digit win. Jackson Holman led the Thunder with 17 points, while Chomp Jones added 16, all in the second half.

Canyon View 66, Millard 50

Senior guard Chad Hartmann scored 14 of his game-high 21 points in the third quarter as Canyon View pulled away from the Millard Eagles.

Thursday’s girls games

Spanish Fork 53, Providence Hall 27

The Dons outscored the Patriots 23-4 during the second quarter and coasted to victory.

Grantsville 64, Parowan 35

Grantsville led 24-4 after one quarter and coasted to a big win over the Rams. Parowan’s Brooklyn Hulet led all scorers with 21 points, more than half of her team’s total.

Stansbury 57, San Juan 24

The Stallions scored the first nine points of the game and rolled to victory over San Juan.

Canyon View 58, South Sevier 49

Canyon View girls vs. South Sevier, Steve Hodson Cancer Classic, Cedar City, Utah, Dec. 29, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Trailing 41-30 with about a minute left in the third quarter, the Canyon View Falcons went on a 9-0 run to make it 41-39 heading into the fourth quarter. Halfway through the fourth, the Falcons had built a 52-42 lead, thanks to their remarkable 22-1 run that turned the game around completely. Jayda Gleave led Canyon View with 16 points, while fellow guard Maylee Spencer added 14.

Friday’s boys schedule

  • Millard 62, San Juan 58. 
  • South Sevier 75, Hurricane 70. 
  • Desert Hills 80, Parowan, 60.
  • Canyon View vs. Panguitch, 8 p.m.

Friday’s girls schedule

  • Spanish Fork 64, San Juan 30.
  • Grantsville 67, South Sevier, 41.
  • Stansbury 49, Parowan 42.
  • Canyon View vs. Providence Hall, in progress.

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