Todd Christensen may already have a vision of things to come. Not only did the Highland star score 28 points in leading the defending champion Rams to a 54-45 overtime win over Brighton in the first round of the 5A state tournament at the Huntsman Center Tuesday, he did so with a little help from his collegiate choice.
Christensen connected on a pair of long jumpers in overtime to give the Rams what proved to be an insurmountable advantage."I hit the first one and got a BYU bounce on the second," said Christensen, a Cougar-to-be.
Highland outscored Brighton 12-3 (Christensen had eight) in the extra session to prime the Rams for another Cinderella run in the postseason.
"You've got to understand, we had more talent last year," said Highland coach Clark Godfrey, who inherited a team with just two players (Christensen and Winston Scott) with significant varsity experience. "But, you know what? This talent is starting to arrive."
Brighton coach Jim Jimas noticed.
"I thought they outplayed us the whole game," he said. "It seemed like they wanted it more."
However, for the better part of 33 minutes, the outcome remained in doubt.
Both teams broke from the gates quickly with high-scorers Christensen and David Nielsen, who finished with a team-high 19 for Brighton, engaging in an offensive shootout.
After one period, score it: Brighton 14, Highland 12; Christensen 10, Nielsen 7. The gunslinging continued into the second quarter where the Rams claimed a 26-23 advantage by halftime.
"I think by the third quarter we were exhausted," said Christensen, who led the individual score war, 16-10 at the intermission. "I know I was."
Sluggish play ensued with neither team able to crack double-figures in the third frame. However, play recaptured its previous intensity down the stretch. Highland built a 40-33 lead with 6:18 to play and held a 42-38 advantage with less than three minutes to play when Brighton rallied to knot the score and set up a thrilling 60 second countdown.
The Bengals, who regained possession, were attempting to run the clock down for one final shot when Highland's WInston Scott stole the ball with 14 seconds remaining - setting up a final shot by Christensen, a wide-open 8-footer, which glanced off the front of the iron just before the horn sounded.
"He didn't let it bother him, did he?" said Godfrey. "(Christensen) is playing with all heart."
As for the team?
"We didn't play great. We just played hard," Godfrey said. "I'd say we just outtalented them."
Countered Jimas: "We had our chances. We just didn't capitalize. You have to step it up. That's what it's all about up here."
Highland will meet Layton in the quarterfinals Thursday.
In other first round action:
Layton 59, Hunter 56
Trevor Black's basket and free throw with 3.4 seconds remaining allowed the Region 1 champion Lancers to avoid an upset at the hands of the Wolverines. Hunter led 41-34 after three quarters, but fell victim to a furious Layton rally in the last 90 seconds. Chad King led Layton with 19 points, while Cory Reiser of Hunter led all scorers with 20.
Taylorsville 76, Weber 71
Scott Young scored 24 points and Mark Michaelis added 18 as Taylorsville won the battle of Warriors. The Region 3 champions cruised to victory, fending off a late run which closed the gap to five points in the closing minutes, after building a 42-30 halftime lead. Shawn Moore had 24 and Matt Sparrow 23 for Weber.
Taylorsville faces Mountain View Thursday.
Mountain View 57, Davis 46
Brent Ramey scored 17 points and Ryan Cheesman added 16 as the Bruins advanced to the quarterfinals by capitalizing on their height advantage. Mountain View outscored Davis 26-18 in the second half to add some distance to a 31-28 halftime edge. Ben Warden had 12 points for the Darts.
TOURNAMENT NOTES: Regions 3 and 4 have come out the big winners after one round of play at this year's tournament. Both leagues went 3-1 against competitors from regions 1 and 2. "Our region laid an egg," said Highland coach Clark Godfrey. "We had to do something." The Rams' win over Brighton and Layton's come-from-behind win over Hunter were the lone exceptions to the rule of leagues 3 and 4 . . . Quarterfinal action begins Wednesday with Alta and Bingham meeting at 4:10 p.m. with Orem and West Jordan tangling at 8:10 p.m. Tournament play concludes Saturday, 7 p.m., with the state championship game.
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ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
5A boys state basketball tourney
At the Huntsman Center
Wednesday's games
Championship quarterfinals
Bingham vs. Alta, 4:10 p.m.
Orem vs. West Jordan, 8:10 p.m.
Consolation bracket
Clearfield vs. Bountiful, 2:30 p.m.
Viewmont vs. Fremont, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday's games
Championship quarterfinals
Highland vs. Layton, 4:10 p.m.
Taylorsville vs. Mtn. View, 8:10 p.m.
Consolation bracket
Brighton vs. Hunter, 2:30 p.m.
Weber vs. Davis, 6:30 p.m.