Here’s a recap of Thursday’s 2A quarterfinals at the Sevier Valley Center. This story will be updated.
North Summit 51, Enterprise 41
The North Summit boys’ basketball team used a simple philosophy to beat Enterprise in Thursday’s quarterfinals game in Richfield — bend, don’t break.
It was an approach that worked as the Braves overcame an early deficit to secure a 51-41 win over the Wolves.
“There’s always nerves and a little tightness of playing until you get in the flow game and loosen up,” said Aaron Preece, now in his ninth year coaching at North Summit. “Especially when you’re playing a team like Enterprise. Coach Randall and his staff, they do a great job and have a group of great young men.”
Enterprise started the game in convincing fashion, as Ryker Jones and Crew Evans both had multiple scores to help secure an early 13-6 edge. Nolan Johnson and Treyson Whitman also contributed to the effort for the Wolves.
“We know when basketball teams are gonna make a run. and so we just try to weather that storm and bend but not break and fall apart completely defensively or offensively,” Preece said. “We just gotta stay in and do what we’re trying to do.”
North Summit’s boys were able to flip the scoring in the second period, outpacing Enterprise 16-6, resulting in a 21-19 lead for the Braves at halftime. North Summit never trailed again for the remainder of the game.
Trevor Rich led all scoring players as he blasted the basket for 28 points. He shot 8-18 from the field and 12-14 from the free-throw line.
“He’s put a lot of basketball time in to get where he is, and he just has a nose for getting to the basket,” Preece said of Rich. “He also does a good job getting his teammates going. It opens things up for him and he’s a great leader on our team.”
Buck Sargent has also been stepping up in a big way for North Summit. He pulled down 12 rebounds against Enterprise and scored 10 points as well.
“Buck has done a great job all year for us,” Preece said. “He is a man amongst men and does a great job.”
The Braves have also relied on Jake Smith on the defensive side of things as he breaks up plays and pushes for turnovers.
“We have guys who come in off the bench and play roles and hit shots for us,” Preece said. “We just have a team that gets in the flow of things and likes to work together. We’ll take that all the time. "
North Summit is hoping that flow continues as it is set to take on South Sevier Friday at the Sevier Valley Center in the semifinals. South Sevier delivered a blistering 70-47 win over Draper APA earlier on Thursday.
“We are going to get ready for a battle tomorrow night, Preece said. “It’s gonna be a fun environment and we’re excited for it.”
American Leadership 52, North Sevier 48
No. 4 seed American Leadership held off No. 12 North Sevier 52-48 on Thursday in a tightly contested 2A quarterfinal game at the Sevier Valley Center, advancing to Friday’s semifinal.
Grant Jackson led ALA with 12 points, including four 3-pointers, while Tad Swarnes added 13 points.
North Sevier’s Kade Johnson scored 15 points, and Brody Bulloch contributed 12, but the team struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just five of 25 attempts.
The game featured six lead changes, and Efrain Bernardino was pivotal on the boards for North Sevier with 14 rebounds alongside his nine points.
With the win, ALA advances to Friday’s semifinals to face top seed Kanab at 7:30 p.m.
South Sevier 70, Draper APA 47
No. 2 South Sevier defeated No. 7 Draper APA 70-47 in the 2A quarterfinals at the Sevier Valley Center, advancing to Friday’s semifinal. The Rams (21-4) built a strong lead early, outscoring the Eagles (16-8) 22-8 in the first quarter.
Stockton Roberts led South Sevier with 19 points, while Brace Brindley added 17 points, including five 3-pointers. Draper APA’s Anthony Burris scored 14 points, with Jones Strong contributing nine points through two 3-pointers.
Kanab 58, APA West Valley 44
Kanab defeated APA West Valley 58-44 to advance to Friday’s semifinals in the Class 2A quarterfinals.
The top-seeded Cowboys (20-4) pulled away in the second quarter, outscoring the No. 9 Eagles 19-13 to establish a halftime lead.
Cash Mortensen led Kanab with 23 points, including three 3-pointers, while teammate Kyle Brown contributed 16 points along with five rebounds and three assists.
APA West Valley (9-6) struggled from beyond the arc, with Sharmaarkay Mbwera scoring 14 points and accounting for the team’s only made 3-pointer.
With the win, Kanab advances to face No. 4 seed ALA in Friday’s semifinals.