OREM — Timpanogos head coach Carey Hopkins stood after the game and answered reporters' questions with the bravado and cockiness of a beaten fighter who wanted another rematch with the champion right there and then.
She had just watched her Timberwolves lose a heartbreaking 53-52 decision to four-time defending state champion Mountain View on Thursday and matter-of-factly pronounced that her team would win the next meeting if they face each other in the state tournament.
"If Kearns doesn't get them, we will," said Hopkins, whose team dropped to fourth place in the Region 3 standings with the loss.
Sounds pretty arrogant coming from a program that hasn't defeated the rival Bruins in its short four-year existence. But then again, Timpanogos had just come closer to beating Mountain View than any Utah team since Davis in the 1996 state title game and had almost ended the Bruins' now 103-game win streak against in-state opponents.
"This time last year we were losing to them by 40," added Hopkins. "We're catching up."
Indeed. Timpanogos fought hard and lost at Mountain View last month by just six points. That effort, in addition to a general loathing of the cross-town bullies, brought on the desire even more to defeat the Bruins this time around. In fact, the Timberwolves had T-shirts made up with the phrase, "Be The Iceberg," in reference to putting a hole in the unsinkable Mountain View ship.
"We hate them, everybody does — they can't stand us either," said Hopkins, adding fuel to the fire by calling Mountain View Utah County's "all-star team" in reference to the Bruins' alleged recruiting tactics. "There's no love lost between these teams."
That emotion and excitement spilled onto the floor in the first quarter, as Timpanogos stunned the champions with an early 8-0 lead. When the quarter ended, the Timberwolves had the Bruins on the ropes, leading 17-7, with a frenzied crowd roaring in the stands. Aubrey Van Pelt scored nine of her game-high 19 points in the quarter for Timpanogos.
"We knew they would come out with a lot of energy and enthusiasm," said Mountain View coach Dave Houle. "We just told (our players) to stay patient."
The Bruins did just that. While the break seemed to zap the energy the Timberwolves once had, Mountain View was slowly closing the gap, moving to within 22-19 with 1:01 left to play in the half after a 3-pointer by Jessica Hardy.
A short jumper by Sarah Hutton, and a layup off a steal by Melanie Davies in the final 30 seconds boosted Timpanogos' lead back to 26-19 at the intermission.
"I knew we could come out and play a better game," said Mountain View center Danielle Cheesman, who had 12 points, along with Hardy and Angie Benson. "We weren't focused at all. We wanted to start the second half like a new game."
So did Timpanogos, but the emotional lethargy seemed to carry over as the Timberwolves left their halftime huddle late, leading to an easy basket by the Bruins' Benson. Mountain View started hitting the boards and hitting its shots, finally tying the game at 30-30 after a 15-foot jumper by Cheesman with 4:45 left in the third quarter.
The two teams left the floor at the end of the period tied at 37-37, ready for a final-round free-for-all.
"I told the girls to enjoy it and have fun," said Houle. "If we lose, hey, this isn't the state championship."
Mountain View took a 43-41 lead midway through the final period after a putback bucket by Cheesman, only to see the Timberwolves reclaim a 44-43 advantage following three free throws by Sarah Hutton with 3:46 to play.
It would be the last lead Timpanogos would enjoy as it turned the ball over on five of its next six possessions. Meanwhile, Hardy scored six points during an 8-0 run that gave the Bruins a seemingly comfortable 51-44 lead.
But Hutton hit two more free throws, and Korbie Tomlinson added three more after being fouled on a 3-point shot with three seconds left for a 51-49 deficit.
Mountain View's Heather Hansen was fouled with 1.8 seconds left and sank both free throws to finally put the game away. Tomlinson banked in a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final margin.
"We tried to dodge the iceberg," said Houle, who had to endure the rantings of a maniacal fan after the game about poor refereeing. "(Timpanogos) played well and they were prepared. That's a great team."
It's a team that Hopkins feels has yet to play its best basketball.
"(The players) are disappointed about the loss, but we've always peaked at state," she said. "We could care less about the region title — We want the state title."
In other games Thursday:
Region 3
ALTA 46, BRIGHTON 29: Jamie Shurtleff scored 13 points, and Kendra Batanoia chipped in a dozen as the Hawks belted the Bengals.
Region 7
BEN LOMOND 49, BEAR RIVER 39: Natasha Haacke flirted with a triple-double to spark the Scots. Haacke finished with 12 rebounds, 12 blocked shots and eight points. Karrie Broderick led the Scots with 14 points, while Courtney Woerner tossed in 18 for the Bears.
TOOELE 46, MORGAN 45: Amanda Warner made a game-winning layup with seven seconds left for the Buffaloes. Christin Walker scored 16 points and Erin York put up 15 in the victory. Jen Kennedy had a game-high 20 points for the Trojans.
OGDEN 60, GRANITE 53: Emily Ure spearheaded the Tigers' charge by scoring 19 points. Candice Erickson had a high of 13 for the Farmers.
Region 8
DELTA 56, NORTH SANPETE 26: Becky Freeman and Mandi Sperry each netted a dozen points, and the Rabbits held the Hawks to six points in each of the first three quarters to notch the win.
RICHFIELD 44, CARBON 41: McCall Christensen fired in 15 points to help the Wildcats pick up the road win.
Region 9
HURRICANE 46, CEDAR CITY 37: Sisters Tami and Kim Hepworth teamed up to top the Tigers, finishing with 16 and 13 points, respectively.
PINE VIEW 58, DIXIE 43: Shauntell Garrett tickled the twine for 18 points to help push the Panthers over the Flyers. Annie Barney had 12 points and nine rebounds for Dixie.
Class 2A North
GRANTSVILLE 42, ROWLAND HALL 36: The Cowgirls picked up the league road win with a strong fourth quarter, outscoring the Winged Lions 15-7 down the stretch.
SOUTH SUMMIT 54, JUAN DIEGO 23: Ashley Simpson netted 16 points to spark the Wildcats, who jumped out to a 12-2 lead after the first quarter.
Class 2A Central
JUAB 68, GUNNISON 58: Despite a 38-point performance by Gunnison's Melissa Frandsen, the Wasps pulled off the win. Micah Parkinson had 14 and Mike Sperry added 13 for Juab.
NORTH SEVIER 42, SOUTH SEVIER 41: Kristina Peterson had 15 points as the Wolves won the battle of rivals. Ragan Roberts topped the Rams with 14 points.
Class 2A South
ENTERPRISE 48, BEAVER 38: Sam Moyle had 13 points and nine rebounds, Megan Hunt added 12 points, Rachel Evans had 10 points and Rani Hunt grabbed 11 boards as the Wolves beat the Beavers.
Class 2A East
SAN JUAN 44, GRAND 24: Jeanine Christianson boosted the Broncos with a game-high 13 points. San Juan blanked the Devils in the final quarter.
Region 15
PANGUITCH 44, WAYNE 37: Camile Christensen netted 18 points to help keep the Bobcats undefeated in region play. The Badgers got 11 points from Kali Taylor.
Region 16
RICH 75, TABIONA 27: Lacey Hoffman had 14 points and Emily Holmes added 12 points in the rout for the Rebels.
ALTAMONT 70, MANILA 45: Sherrie Thayne poured in 20 points and Jentri Sorensen sank 18 points as the Longhorns toppled the Tigers. Carly Muir had a dozen points in the loss.
Region 17
WATERFORD 48, S.L. CHRISTIAN 41: Claire Filloux scored 14 and Kasey Anderson had 13 in the Wolves' win.
INTERMOUNTAIN CHRISTIAN 38, LAYTON CHRISTIAN 33: Libby Armstrong led the Lions to the victory with 11 points. Megan Jones had 13 points, and Shantee Releford pulled down a dozen rebounds in the loss.
Boys' nonregion game
GREEN RIVER 90, GRAND 53: Slade Bigelow poured in 28 points and Kalen Parsons added 19 as the Pirates sank the Red Devils. John Bishoff led Grand with 13 points.