With three players contributing 16 points apiece for the victorious Pleasant Grove Vikings, head basketball coach Randy McAllister was relieved and said, "We'll take it; a win is a win, and we'll take it."
Lehi won the opening tip, then lost the ball on a steal. Both teams went scoreless for four possessions. But just 3:30 into the game, Lehi held the lead on a field goal and a trey from senior guard Ethan Tuckett. Tuckett ended the game as Lehi's high point man with 14 points. However, tight defense by the Vikings, and improved shooting, put Pleasant Grove up at the end of the first period, 16-11.
The second period was almost the same as the Vikings added 15 points to Lehi's 13 for a half time score of 31-24.
In the second half, both teams played well, contributing 34 points each to their half time scores. Pleasant Grove scored the last six points on four straight free throws from senior guard David Peterson and a field goal from sophomore guard Casey Brown.
With the Vikings next game against Lone Peak, sophomore center Matt Van Komen said, "We need to stay with our good conditioning and go into the game with a good mindset. I'll be a bit more prepared for them." Senior guard Ethan Coombs said, "We'll need to play smarter, protect the ball better and just play fundamental ball."
Lehi scored on 10 treys, 11 field goals and went 6 of 8 from the foul line, led by Tuckett with 14 points, junior forward Dallin Holker with 12 points and junior forward Dallin Spencer with 10 points. The loss brings Lehi's region record to 5-5 with an overall record of 10-11.
The Vikings scored on 7 treys, 16 field goals and went 12 of 14 from the charity line. Three Vikings matched each other as Brown, Keanu Akina and Ethan Coombs tallied 16 points apiece. Van Komen added nine points. This win brings their region record to 9-1 and an overall record of 19-2.
Pleasant Grove's next game is at Lone Peak High School on Friday at 7 p.m.
Kent Allen lives in Pleasant Grove and reports on Pleasant Grove High School varsity sports for Deseret Connect.