Girls basketball playoffs: Winless in region play, Ben Lomond stuns Ogden in first round
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- Ben Lomond’s Dory Jenson (5) is fouled by Ogden’s Salote Tonga (10) during a 3A first-round playoff game Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at Ogden.
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- Ogden’s Izzy Nestel, left, drives against Ben Lomond’s Aleia Huff (21) during a 3A first-round playoff game Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at Ogden.
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- Ogden’s Salote Tonga (10) fights for a loose ball against Ben Lomond’s Jazzy Tinajero (1) and Dory Jenson (rear) during a 3A first-round playoff game Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at Ogden.
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- Ogden’s Ruth Larsen (12) drives against Ben Lomond’s Jazzy Tinajero during a 3A first-round playoff game Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at Ogden.
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- Ogden’s Tamara Jimenez, left, takes pressure from Ben Lomond’s Dory Jenson (5) during a 3A first-round playoff game Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at Ogden.
OGDEN — Ben Lomond High girls basketball had lost to Ogden twice this year by double digits and senior captain Jazzy Tinajero was not about to let it be three in a row.
Tinajero scored all five of her points in a pivotal fourth quarter and the No. 18 Scots played lockdown defense down the stretch to advance in the 3A state playoffs with a stunning, 35-31 road victory over the No. 15 Tigers.
“It was definitely special to win this game and advance in the tournament. We really needed to step it up; it’s hard to beat a team three times,” Tinajero said. “I’m definitely proud of what we did tonight.”
Tied after three quarters at 27, Ogden (7-17) opened the fourth quarter with a rebound basket by Salote Tonga to take a two-point lead.
After an exchange of possessions, Tinajero lined up dead aim and splashed home a 3-pointer to give the Scots (7-16) the lead for good, 30-29, with 6:46 remaining.
“I was definitely nervous. It was a close game,” Tinajero said. “I was open and just decided to shoot it. Ogden has been playing defense on me well for the past few games. That shot was definitely a blessing.”
Tinajero added a free throw at the 6:22 mark, making it 31-29, then had a block and a rebound in the next three minutes to help hold off the Tigers.
“I needed to step it up; the intensity from everyone on the court and off the bench was really uplifting,” Tinajero said.
Two free throws by Ivy Gallegos, one by Aleia Huff and a closeout by Tinajero with a second left rounded out the total for the Scots.
“I was confident. The only thing I had to figure out was how to score while getting face-guarded,” Tinajero said. “It was a struggle for me and I had to adapt.”
Defense turned out to be a key factor for the Scots in the fourth quarter. Tonga’s basket for Ogden came early in the fourth quarter with 7:31 left, and the Tigers didn’t put another point on the board until 2.8 ticks left on another Tonga basket inside — too little, too late.
“Just communicating; everyone overall being there to be positive, be helpful and be hopeful. We really needed this one,” Tinajero said.
Huff led the Scots with 10 points and Dory Jenson had nine.
For the Tigers, Tonga netted a game-high 13 off the bench, while Ruth Larsen registered seven.
Ben Lomond advances to face No. 2 seed Richfield on the road Friday.