WEST VALLEY CITY -- There was no room for underdogs in the top half of the state 5-A boys basketball tournament bracket.
Region 1 champion Northridge battled gamely with highly-touted Lone Peak on Thursday evening at the Maverik Center, but a cold shooting night doomed the Knights, who fell 55-36 in the tournament quarterfinals.
Lone Peak advances to meet Region 3 champion West Jordan at 5:30 p.m. in today's semifinals.
Preston Christensen scored a dozen points to lead Northridge (14-9 overall), which ended up shooting just 30 percent from the field on the night.
Northridge controlled the tempo for much of the first two periods, and used a slow-down passing attack late in the second quarter to reel the southern Knights back to within striking distance, trailing at 21-18 at the break.
Midway through the third quarter, after Lone Peak built its lead to near double digits again, Northridge coach Chad Sims tried the same slow-down attack. This time, however, the Knights were unable to connect on their shots and the lead ballooned at the end.
Joe Newkirk and Kyler Dearden each added six points. Newkirk was active in the paint, snagging 10 rebounds and altering numerous Lone Peak shots.
Northridge, which went 8-2 in Region 1 to capture the league title, made it to the state quarterfinals behind seven seniors. The Knights defeated Copper Hills in overtime in the first round.
T.J. Haws led Lone Peak with 16 points, Nick Emery added 15, Talon Shumway scored 10 and Chase Hansen added seven points and 11 board.
In the early 5-A quarterfinal games, a pair of schools that finished third and fourth in their respective regions stormed into the state 5-A semifinals.
Riverton whipped Alta 65-45, and Brighton knocked off Region 4 champion American Fork 59-53. The winners will meet at 5:30 p.m.
Today's state 4-A semis are chock full of favorites.
Provo and Olympus meet at 2:15 p.m., followed by Orem vs. Bountiful at 4 p.m. Olympus, Orem and Bountiful are region champs, with Provo finishing second to Orem.
Comments