SLIDESHOW: Weber vs Northridge
ROY -- A stunned Weber High team that held the lead for nearly three quarters of Thursday night's Region 1 play-in game sat back and watched a big fourth quarter lift the Northridge Knights to a 37-31 state 5-A tournament berth.
"I think it's huge," Northridge coach Bryan Veazie said. "After we had a tough preseason and a tough start to the regular season, this is just a culmination of all the hard work and resiliency of these kids."
The Knights' fifth straight win -- play at Roy High -- was not an easy one.
Led by senior guard Dallin Adams' 11 points and four rebounds, Weber fended off the Knights until late in the third.
6-foot-7 Northridge sophomore center Joe Newkirk made life inside difficult for the Warriors who shot a dismal 22.2 percent (8-36) from the field. The Warrior's eventually found their way outside nailing down six of their eight field goals from beyond the arc.
Jake Oberg scored eight for the Warriors and David Daines contributed six. A disappointing Weber bench effort combined for a paltry three points.
Down 31-30 with 1:50 left to play, Adams drove and was called for charging after making the go-ahead shot.
Northridge took advantage going on a six-point run spoiling any hopes Weber had of a post season appearance. Chad Colby led the Knights with 11, while Jordan Galbraith put in nine and Isaac Hernandez scored six off the bench.
Newkirk scored four and hauled in nine rebounds as Northridge dominated the boards late in the game.
The Knights hit the postseason running, facing Copper Hills on the road Saturday night. In their first meeting early last December Copper Hills defeated Northridge 79-65.
Lower-seeded state 4-A and 5-A teams play first-round state games on Saturday at host schools.
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