PROVO -- Some called the Springville-Timpview game the battle of the big guns. And big it was. The Region 6 contest lived up to its billing right up to the last second.
Timpview's Ryan Farnsworth batted down a pass by Chad Jacobsen to break away for an easy layup and a not-so-easy win as the Thunderbirds squeezed by Springville 63-61 in the last second.After exchanging leads all evening -- eight times, to be exact -- it looked as though the game was a shoo-in for overtime. Timpview took the lead 60-59 after Farnsworth nailed a three with under a minute remaining.
"Farnsworth was open, but the play went awry," said Timpview coach Don Chamberlain. "He just happened to step out and hit a big three for us."
The Red Devils (6-3, 1-2) sneaked ahead, 61-60, after an inside hook by Jacobsen with :39 left to play. Skyler Cleveland knocked down a free throw for the tie. As time ticked down, Jacobsen dribbled the ball looking for a pass but didn't see Farnsworth coming in from the left side. Farnsworth was able to make the layup with just a second remaining.
"If he would've hesitated, time would've run out," said Chamberlain. "I knew he would make the layup, but I didn't know if it would get there in time."
Farnsworth netted a team-high 20 points, with 15 of them coming in the second half.
The two teams entered Wednesday's game with identical 6-2 overall records. Springville, however, sat with one blemish on its league mark while Timpview was undefeated. With the win, the T-Birds improve to 7-2 and remain flawless in region play (3-0).
Chamberlain told his players to consider themselves fortunate after winning a game he felt his team hadn't played to par.
"We didn't play well," said Chamberlain.
In a pivotal third quarter, the T-Birds stretched their lead to 10 -- the largest of the night -- off a three by Marc Roberts. Timpview then missed its next seven shots, allowing Springville to catch up on a 10-0 run and tie the game at 37.
In the fourth quarter, the T-Birds' shooting woes continued as they hit 36 percent from the field while the Devils hit seven of nine shots for 78 percent.
Jacobsen led Springville with 25 points, including 21 in the second half.
"At the beginning of the year, I thought Springville was one of the top teams," Chamberlain added. "I still think they are."