High school boys basketball: Dixie grinds out win at Skyridge to advance to tournament final vs. Copper Hills

Dixie coach Tyler Roberts has always liked getting away with his team for a weekend not only to bond ahead of region play but also to play some different competition.

He couldn’t have asked for a better scenario than how things have played out at the Skyridge Tournament this week.

After prevailing in the quarterfinals on Thursday against Juan Diego, Dixie showed grit in Friday’s semifinals to hold off host Skyridge for the 68-64 victory.

1 of 17

2 of 17

3 of 17

4 of 17

5 of 17

6 of 17

7 of 17

8 of 17

9 of 17

10 of 17

11 of 17

12 of 17

13 of 17

14 of 17

15 of 17

16 of 17

17 of 17

“We finished strong. They hit some big shots to stay in it, but we just continued to grind and were a little more patient,” said Roberts.

Risko Brooks led the way with 23 points, with Kean Webb adding 15 more for the Flyers.

The win is always the goal, but that isn’t the only motivation for the Flyers to head north for the weekend.

“The biggest thing is getting out of town, honestly. I love getting the guys out and away. Spending that time, even in the hotel, and going to dinner and them seeing us outside of practice and games, they can realize we’re just normal guys,” said Roberts.

Dixie sits at 5-0 this preseason, and it will get another opportunity to face a tough 6A opponent on Saturday before returning to St. George, as the Flyers take on Copper Hills in Saturday’s championship at 1:30 p.m. Copper Hills beat Layton in the other semifinal 70-66.

It will cap a three-day setting that Roberts hopes simulates what his team will go through in the 4A state tournament later this season.

“You like it cause it’s three tough games in a row,” he said.

The Skyridge Tournament is just one of a few going on this weekend.

In the Northern Utah Shootout championship at Davis High School, Davis will host Olympus at 5 p.m. after both teams won their semifinals on Friday night.

Meanwhile, Lehi is hosting its inaugural Holiday Hoopfest, which features a Utah team against an out-of-state team in every game. There were four games on Friday, and then there will be five more on Saturday. The nightcap on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. features American Fork against Duncanville, Texas — which is ranked No. 1 in the country according to MaxPreps.

Other basketball tournament invites going on around the state this weekend include games in Richfield, St. George and Manti.