George Sluga and his Bingham Miners didn't have a prayer (at least one like they used to have) in their 76-62 5A state quarterfinal loss to top-ranked Alta Wednesday at the Huntsman Center.
Not only did the once-defiant coach fail to lead his troops in prayer - thanks to a budding controversy which resulted in Sluga's promise not to do so - he was also unable to find answers to Alta's quickness and pressure defense.Sluga did, however, kneel in an adjacent hallway for a team prayer next to an open Bingham locker room door before the game; after the contest he was invited by the team to join the group in the dressing room for another prayer.
But it didn't seem to help as the Hawks forced the Miners into 15 first-half turnovers, while building a 32-17 lead late in the second quarter. Bingham drew no closer than 10 the rest of the way.
"You've got to credit their quickness for that," said Sluga. "That was way too many turnovers and when we did make good plays, we missed easy shots."
Bingham's biggest lead, at 4-1, was quickly erased by a 13-2 run early in the contest. Suddenly, the Hawks held a 14-6 advantage.
"That's a big lead to spot that good a team," Sluga said.
Brent Hawkins led the Hawks with 22 points, while Brad Willden contributed 21 and pulled down 12 rebounds.
"We kept pressure on them the whole game," said Willden. "We didn't want it to be close. We were battling."
All the way to the end, said Alta coach Ron Carling.
"It was a battle. That's a good basketball team," he said. "I never did feel comfortable - even with 17 seconds remaining."
However, when reality set in, Carling was more optimistic.
"I just hope we keep going," he said. "Nothing's going to be easy."
Adam Sharp and Nate Carling each scored 13 for Alta, while Lance Barnes had 18 and Clint Waddell 16 for Bingham.
"I think (Alta) is good at what they do," said Sluga, who thought his team had no fear, just confidence entering the game. "But, surely our execution on the floor belied that."
Alta, considered the tournament favorite, advances into Friday's semifinals against Orem - just a win away from the 5A pinnacle.
"This year we have to take state," said Willden, who was part of last year's Region 4 championship squad that placed fifth overall. "Anything less is a disappointment."
In consolation play:
Bountiful 60, Clearfield 48
Brett Allen scored 13 points and James Cahoon added 11 as the Region 2 quad-champion Braves eliminated the Falcons. Jeremy Bair led Clearfield with 11 points.