More than anything else Ben Davis would like to make the game-winning shot.
If Davis had a Christmas list, that's what he'd want.For Davis, the Vikings back-up point guard, Christmas came a few weeks early Wednesday night in Lehi.
With the game tied at 60, Davis picked up a loose ball and dropped in the game-winning shot making Pleasant Grove's season opener a 64-62 success.
With the game tied at 62, Pleasant Grove had the ball with 25 seconds left and began searching for a high percentage shot. But the Vikings nearly lost the ball twice as they worked the ball around the horn. Finally, Zack Starr got the ball just outside the key at the free throw line. Starr tried to get the ball inside, but his pass was deflected right to Davis who just happened to be cutting to the basket. Davis picked up the ball and banked in the game winner.
"I was just trying to get to the basket when the ball was deflected and came to me. It was like an early Christmas present," Davis said. "It felt good. I'll take it."
Lehi built a 21-14 lead in the second quarter and could have taken control of the game, but the three of Lehi's starters got into foul trouble and the Pioneers pathetic 1-for-10 free-throw shooting in the first half, helped the Vikings to stay in the game.
Brigham Church led the Pleasant Grove with 16 points. Starr had 12 and Mike Farnsworth sparked the Vikings with 7 points off the bench. Davis finished with 4 points.
For Lehi, Braden Cooper had 21 points including three 3-pointers.
In other games around the state:
Orem 55, Payson 44: Shawn Ford led the 5A Tigers over the 4A Lions with a game-high 14 points. Austin Berge connected from the free-throw line with nine seconds left to ice the contest.
South Summit 55, Union 44: South Summit hit nine of 10 free throws down the stretch to distance them from the Cougars. The Wildcats were led by Rory Bowen with 17 points.
Richfield 64, North Sevier 43: The Wildcats jumped to a 13-4 first quarter lead and rolled over the Wolves behind 22 points from Andy Oldroid and 13 from Nate Belnap.
Olympus 68, Carbon 50: The Titans opened the season with a non-region win against the Dinosaurs. Zach Green led the way with 25 points.
Tabiona 78, Uintah 59: Trailing by two at half-time, the Tigers out-scored the Utes 47-26 in the second half. Shay Price led all scorers with 22 points in the victory.
Mount Vernon 63, Tintic 61: Cliff Rasmussen scored a lay-up at the buzzer to secure a road victory over Tintic. Dajen Heaps scored 24 points including three treys in the third period and six for the game to pace the Patriots.
Girls basketball
Mount Vernon 31, Tintic 29: Senior Rhonda Badger scored eight points and was a force on the boards to help lead Mount Vernon to its first ever victory. The Patriots held a three point lead entering the fourth quarter and managed to hold off the Miners despite their 13 point in the final period. The victory ends a 43 game Patriot losing streak. Miwako Saito matched Badger's eight points for a team high. The team has a cake celebration planned tomorrow.
Taylorsville 70, Murray 39: The Warriors had 14 players score as they rolled over the Spartans. Lindsay Sodja led the way with 14 points.
Skyline 69, Granger 33: Sophomore Sally Johnson led the Eagles with 19 points in a rout over the Lancers. Skyline held the Lancers to two second quarter points and held a 38-11 advantage at the half.
Millard 47, Panguitch 46: Shelly Koyle scored with 8 second left to push the Eagles past the Bobcats. Koyle had 13 points on the night and pulled down 10 rebounds. Panguitch's Genny Poll led all scorers with 15 points.
Duchesne 55, Green River 37: In a Region 16 contest, Rashelle Nielsen led visiting Duchesne to a road victory with 26 points and 12 boards. The Eagles held the Pirates to four first quarter points.