The Trojans, finishing the season 24-3 overall, have a pair of state titles under third-year coach Scott Hunt, who delivered the program’s sixth all-time title, and the sixth of his coaching career. It’s the second pair of consecutive titles won at Morgan since the 2013 and 2014 titles achieved under former coach Jim Wiscombe.

Hunt’s six state titles as a coach (Panguitch 1998; South Sevier 2006, 2011-12) are tied for third all-time in Utah boys basketball history.

Bracken Saunders paced Morgan with 29 points on three 3-pointers, seven rebounds and four assists, shooting 11 of 15 from the floor. Jake Hansen added 23 points, five rebounds, two assists, 8-of-14 shooting and 7 of 7 from the charity stripe.

“All I can say is that was incredible,” Hunt told the Standard-Examiner. “I could not describe in any way, form, or fashion how proud I am of those kids. Everything we talked about in shoot-around … the heart, the grit, the toughness, you gotta want it more than they want it. Every one of those guys did what they had to do to win the game.”

Mason Williams tallied eight points, 12 rebounds and six assists for Morgan. Brody Peterson had five points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals. Morgan shot 56% from the field, 44% from beyond the 3-point arc, and 92% (12-of-13) at the foul line, with the only miss coming on the last free throw of the game.

“We’ve been dreaming for a long time,” Saunders, who expects to receive his missionary assignment for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the coming week, said in a postgame interview on KSL’s live stream. “I remember playing in our backyard, state championship, counting down the seconds in our minds and watching our older brothers play for a state championship.”

Hansen and Saunders each scored nine points in the first quarter, sending the Trojans to a 20-15 lead. Morgan stretched that lead to 36-24 at the half.

American Heritage (19-8) opened the second half with eight straight points. Saunders banked in a 3-pointer to break the run, then hit a mid-range jumper on the next possession to give the momentum back to Morgan. The Trojans led 43-37 after three quarters.

Perhaps the most important contribution from Trojans forward Williams was the pressure he put on American Heritage’s Josue Kajinga, holding the 6-foot-10 junior to 11 points and five rebounds. Kajinga had 28 points and 17 boards when American Heritage beat the Trojans 64-60 on Jan. 16, handing Morgan its only region loss in the last two seasons.

Jackson Black led American Heritage with 12 points. James Matson, the leading scorer in 3A, added 10 points, and Kade Anderson tallied nine points on three 3-pointers.

“It’s fairly unusual for teams to go back-to-back,” Hunt said. “You have to have the players to do it, then you gotta get lucky that injuries and all that kind of stuff is not a part of what’s going on. Also, you gotta avoid getting arrogant. …The chemistry of the team’s got to be there. …

“You’ve got to avoid selfishness and greed and all those kinds of things. These kids have done it, and we preach in our culture and everything about toughness, selflessness, loving each other, having a family atmosphere (and) man, these guys have been wonderful.”