OGDEN — Even the Skyline High fans knew Timpanogos center Alan Bartholomew was the man to stop if the Eagles were to have a chance to win Tuesday night, but stopping a player that has shot an incredible 77 percent from the field all year long is a lot easier said than done.
In the first round of the 5A boys state basketball championships at Weber State University, the 6-foot-7-inch postman scored 24 points and pulled down 14 rebounds in the Timberwolves' 61-50 victory over Skyline.
"There are certain kids on the team with Alan that have the chemistry, and Alan has mentioned that several times," Timpanogos coach Mark Hardman said.
"If somebody is penetrating or somebody is getting close, Alan can feel when he is going to receive a pass."
Most of that chemistry comes from playmaker Blake Lloyd who has the uncanny ability to drive the lane and pass when guarded, and shoot and score when left open.
He netted 14 points, pulled down seven rebounds, and most notably, dished out eight assists.
"We get him (Bartholomew) the basketball at point-blank range a lot, and because of that his teammates deserve a lot of credit and Alan would be the first to tell you that," Hardman said. "He also works hard without the ball. Where he touches the ball is a tribute to his hard work before he touches it."
With the win, the Timberwolves improve to 12-10 and will play West Jordan at 4 p.m. Thursday.
In the first-round victory, Bartholomew, who leads Class 5A in scoring with 19 points, was 11-for-15 and he uncharacteristically missed two layups and a dunk.
"They get me the ball when I'm wide open," Bartholomew said of his success.
The Timberwolves trailed 7-6 early in the game before Bartholomew scored eight of their last 10 points in the quarter to take the lead at 15-13, and they held just a one-point lead at 30-29 at the break.
On two different occasions in the second half, when the Eagles were making a run, Bartholomew stepped up.
He scored eight points in the third quarter, with four of them coming in a 11-3 Timpanogos run as it built its lead to nine, where it was at the end of three quarters.
Skyline senior Brandon Wright shot the Eagles back into the game. They trailed by three at 48-45 before Bartholomew scored two consecutive layups and took a charge of defense. Lloyd scored on a driving layup after Bartholomew's defensive gem and the lead was back to nine. Skyline would never recover.
Timpanogos freshman Mac Nelson turned in a fine game with 10 points and five rebounds. Matt Ciaramella scored 16 points for the Eagles in a losing effort.
In other games Tuesday:
MOUNTAIN VIEW 58, BINGHAM 47: Mountain View outscored the Miners 17-9 in the fourth quarter en route to the come-from-behind victory.
The Bruins trailed by a point at the half, but came back to take the lead at the end of the third quarter, before putting the game away in the fourth.
Dan Henry led the Bruins with 25 points on 11-for-18 shooting from the field, while Karl Riding added 12 points.
Isaac Holdaway led the Miners in a losing effort with 16 points, and teammates Shane Brown and Josh Newbold had 13 and 10 points each.
Mountain View plays Riverton and Northridge Thursday at 5:40 p.m.
RIVERTON 64, NORTHRIDGE 56: The Silverwolves got balanced scoring from McCade Olsen, Tye Stauffer and Mitch Young in the victory over the Knights.
Olsen led Riverton with 14 points and Stauffer and Young had 11 and 10 points, respectively.
The Knights led briefly in the fourth quarter before Riverton managed to pull away for the win.
Northridge's Tyson Stevenson led all scorers with 18 points and teammate Ryan Larson had 10 points.
WEST JORDAN 57, JORDAN 47: Trailing by a point with two minutes left, West Jordan went on a 13-2 run to walk away with the 10-point victory.
Scott Judd, who finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds, converted a 3-point play to start the run. Stephon Mills led the Jaguars with 18 points and Brett Baldwin had 12.
Chad Broadhead had 14 points to lead the Beetdiggers in a losing effort. Jared True added 13 and Weston bell added 10 for Jordan.
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