For Timpview head coach Haley Steed and her players, a win in their Thursday night showdown with Jordan would mean a lot.
Going 0-2 in their two games prior to this week, a victory would not only build on Tuesday’s upset over the RPI No. 1 team Lehi, but it would put them in a strong position going forward in Region 8.
Never trailing and leading by as much as 20 points, the Thunderbirds comfortably cruised to a 69-55 win over the Beetdiggers to improve their record to 10-3 (3-1 in region) on the season. The Beetdiggers — who were 4-0 in region play heading into the game — fell to 8-8.
“It was definitely a big win for us,” senior point guard Hinemoa Aston said. “We had a hard week this week with Lehi and now Jordan, but we just buckled down on defense and we did it.”
Facing Region 8’s top two scoring offenses in the same week, the Thunderbirds proved that their region-best scoring defense was up to the challenge, but it was their offensive play that propelled them to victory over Jordan.
The Beetdiggers’ 2-3 zone was carved up all evening long by the Thunderbirds, who finished with four scorers in double-digits. The 69-point outing was tied for the most points scored by Timpview this season.
Steed called the offensive performance her team’s best of the season.
“To beat (Jordan) you have to score the basketball,” Steed said. “They’re just too high-paced and too good on offense. You have to score. After starting our last game slow, we came out tonight and we played loose and confident on offense, and it was fun to see.”
The Thunderbirds were able to score at all three levels, beating their defenders off the dribble while also finding their cutting teammates for easy buckets.
Averaging just over five made 3-pointers a game this season, the Thunderbirds were able to hit eight 3s to Jordan’s seven — an interesting stat considering the Beetdiggers had hit 37 more 3s than Timpview had coming into the contest.
Timpview really got the ball rolling in the second quarter, where they outscored Jordan 19-9, seizing momentum that wouldn’t be relinquished the remainder of the night. The Thunderbirds forced seven Beetdigger turnovers in the period.
Aston, who hit three shots from behind the arc, led all scorers with 21. Brooke Eyre added 11 points, while Eden Leauanae and Maddie Edgington each scored 10 for Timpview.
Steed called Aston the leader of the team, saying that she has the ability to take over the scoring for her team if needed, but doesn’t need to often because of the Thunderbirds’ balanced offensive attack.
“We have several girls who could go off for 20 points any given night,” Steed said. “Tonight Hine scored for us, but we’re just so balanced that it doesn’t surprise me when we come out and have a different leading scorer four games in a row.”
Having already proved themselves defensively, Timpview will certainly hope to maintain its offensive rhythm going forward — a sight that would be very unwelcome to its Region 8 foes.
The 3-1 start to region play put the Thunderbirds in pole position as the season continues to unfold.
“(This win) puts us in the driver’s seat,” Steed said. “We control our own destiny and that’s a good feeling because you don’t want to count on other teams winning or losing for you to get where you want to be.”
“It’s super early in the region, and this region is tough, so it feels good to be in control, but every game from here on out is a championship game for us. We’ll take it one game at a time, but we definitely feel good with where we’re sitting right now.”