The Timpview T-Birds, the preseason No. 1 in 5A, opened the season with a resounding win over cross-town rival Provo on Friday night.
Timpview outscored Provo in all four quarters to methodically pull away for the 60-38 victory in the season-opener for both teams.
Jacob Gates led the way for the T-Birds with 15 points, while Jake Wahlin added 12.
“I’m really proud of our guys. It’s tough to open with your crosstown rival. We played tough defense in the second half and really balanced scoring. We are just really excited to be able to play again,” said Timpview coach Kevin Santiago.
Timpview was the 5A runner-up, but the clear favorite this year with most of its key contributors back this year.
Region 4 foes set for early clash
Corner Canyon and Westlake both won their semifinal games at the Corner Canyon Tournament of Champions on Friday to set up a showdown in Saturday’s title game at 4 p.m.
Corner Canyon rolled past Bingham 81-64 in the semifinals as it outscored the Miners 55-28 in the middle two quarters. Trace Ross led the Chargers with 24 points, while Carter Welling adding 23.
In the nightcap, Westlake used a big second quarter to pull ahead of of Farmington as it prevailed 83-68.
North-South Challenge Stalemate
Region 9 and 11 teams clashed in a pair of games at Pine View High School on Friday, with each region winning a game.
Desert Hills edged Sky View 65-61 in the first game as Mason Landdeck led the way with a impressive 23-point night.
In the second game, Ridgeline used a strong second half to pull away from Pine View 57-50 as Chase Hall and Peyton Knowles combined for 34 points.
Grantsville bounces No. 1 Manti in opener
In a great test for two of 3A’s best right out of the gates, No. 4 Grantsville edged No. 1 Manti 65-61 in a game played at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield.
Tuhker Mulford and Brigham Mulford each scored 17 points for the Cowboys, while Manti’s Grady Thompson led all scorers with 22 points.
Grantsville gets another great test on Saturday at the Central Utah Preview when it faces No. 2 Richfield.
Rich prevails in triple OT
First-year coach Lex Cornia had to sweat out his first win of the season on Friday night as Rich needed three overtimes to beat Telos 72-71.
Rich outscored Telos 16-4 in the fourth quarter to rally to force overtime. In the third overtime, Truman Huefner made all three free throws after getting fouled on a 3-pointer with 8.6 seconds remaining.
Telos’ missed a corner 3-pointer at the other end with one second remaining as Rich held on for the exciting season-opening win.
Statement opening win for Viewmont
Viewmont hasn’t had a winning season since 2016, but if Friday night is any indicator that’s about to change.
Viewmont earned an impressive 79-70 win over Region 1 contender Layton in a strong statement win to start the season 1-0.
Garrett Tietjen led the way for the Vikings with 20 points, with Brash Emery chipping in with 14.
Layton center Ethan Potter was dominant offensively for his team as he poured in a game-high 36 points.
Tyler Maine’s clutch shot keys Canyon View OT win
After losing a tight one on Thursday in the opening game of the Bear River Winter Classic, Canyon View found itself on the other end of a tight game on Friday as it edged Ben Lomond 56-54.
Canyon View outscored Ben Lomond 21-12 in the fourth quarter to force overtime, with Maine hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer to tie the game.
In overtime, Hayden Zobell hit a 3-pointer on the first possession to give the Falcons their first lead of the game and they held on from there.
Cole Farrow led Canyon View with 18 points, with Ben Lomond’s Kekoa Beard leading all scorers with 23 points.
Taylorsville edges rival Murray at buzzer
Over the first three quarters Friday night Taylorsville methodically built a 12-point lead over Murray and appeared in great shape heading into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth though Murray shaved all 12 points off the lead. Just when it seemed the game was headed to overtime after Taylorsville missed a potential winner, McCray Miles was right there for the rebound putback at the buzzer as Taylorsville pulled out the 55-53 win.
Miles finished with 10 points, with James Gavin leading the Warriors with 12 points.