Instead of spending the week prior to the state 4A tournament running ladders and beating each other up in practice, Spanish Fork has opted for a different approach in preparing for its first-round game against Bountiful on Friday.
The Dons thought they would play a few tuneup games first.On Monday, Spanish Fork rallied from a 14 point third-quarter deficit to beat Payson and on Wednesday night at Provo High School, the Dons rolled past Pleasant Grove 60-42.
Of course, Spanish Fork didn't have a choice. After it lost to Springville on Friday, the Dons finished in a three-way tie for the fifth and final playoff spot in Region 6 and were forced into the playoff to get into the playoffs.
Spanish Fork lost a coin toss and had to play Monday and Wednesday, but it didn't bother the Dons.
"It's given us a chance to win a few games and get on a roll," said Dons guard Darren Reid. "We're playing pretty good right now. Hopefully, we can keep it going."
Reid is one of the Dons on a roll. With Spanish Fork clinging to a 42-37 lead, Reid led the Dons on a 10-0 run with four minutes left in the game to put Pleasant Grove away.
Reid scored four straight points. Will Neves and Matt Hurst each followed with a basket. Jamis Gardner then dropped in a pair of free throws to lift Spanish Fork to the win.
Reid finished with 24 points and six rebounds. Neves added 15.
Sid Krommenhoek led Pleasant Grove with 11 points.
"They beat us three times this year. Obviously, they're the better team," said Pleasant Grove coach Craig McAffee. "Last year we only won two region games and this year we won five. I feel like our program is improving and going in the right direction."
In other games Wednesday:
REGION 1 TIEBREAKER
VIEWMONT 57, NORTHRIDGE 53: At Clearfield, University of Utah-bound Brad Crockett made a putback basket after missing three straight with 37 seconds left to push the Vikings into the state tournament. Crockett finished with 16 points.
With the win, Viewmont earned the Region 1 fifth-place seed and will travel to Orem to play the Tigers in the first round Friday.
REGION 12 TOURNAMENT
SOUTH SUMMIT 41, MANTI 40: Chris Larsen's shot with 15 seconds left lifted the Wildcats over the Templars.
GUNNISON 94, NORTH SUMMIT 66: Aaron Hill drilled eight three-pointers en route to a 34-point outing for the Bulldogs. Rory Hansen scored 22 for Gun-ni-son.
GRANTSVILLE 92, ST. JOSEPH 50: Isaac Butler nailed 10 of 10 free throws and scored 19 points to lead the Cowboys to the win.
JUAB 69, ROWLAND HALL 46: Trevor Casper netted 21 points as the Wasps stung the Winged Lions.
REGION 14 TOURNAMENT
WATERFORD 85, TINTIC 55: Jeremy Pendleton led the Wolves with a game-high 24 points.