In the middle of February, there are fun occasions like Groundhog Day and Valentine’s Day; for Region 20, the region basketball tournament is just as, or even more important than those holidays.
The region tournament is each basketball team’s chance to get just a little bit more prepared for state and possibly get a better standing in the seeds. This year’s Region 20 boys and girls basketball tournament took place on February 14-17. The high school teams’ first rounds were played at the high school of the higher ranked team. Then all of Region 20 traveled to Panguitch High School, where the rest of the tournament was held Friday and Saturday.
First Round on the 14th (Girls) and 15th (Boys)
Once the bracket was released for Region 20, the teams got prepared. The first round was held at the higher ranked team’s high school. All girls teams in Region 20 played on February 14 and the boys teams played on February 15.
For the girls teams: Piute beat Bryce Valley 40-23, Valley beat Milford 47-45, Wayne beat Escalante 71-45, and the Panguitch girls also had a bye.
For the boys teams: Piute beat Escalante 59-42, Milford beat Valley 63-62, Wayne beat Bryce Valley 73-42, and Panguitch had a bye.
Second Round on the 16th
Now let’s take a closer look at day two of region.
Panguitch vs. Milford (Boys)
For the boys basketball team, the Panguitch Bobcats matchup to the Milford Tigers. For the first quarter, both teams start with some energy. It is Panuitch who leads the first quarter with a score of 11-4. The Bobcats take off in points in the second quarter as they increase their lead with a score of 30-10.
In the third quarter, Milford is able to make up some points, but it is still no match to catch Panguitch. The quarter ends with a score of 65-27, Panguitch. The same story plays out in the fourth quarter, ending with Panguitch winning the game 77-38.
Piute vs. Wayne (Boys)
The second boys game of the second round is between the Piute T-Birds and the Wayne Badgers. Right out the gate, Piute leaps into the leading position and ends the first quarter with a score of 23-8. In the second quarter, Wayne plays catch-up but Piute still leads and ends the second quarter as 33-18
Both teams come back from halftime with some fire and determination, but Piute continues to play the leading role. The third quarter ends with a score of 46-28. In the fourth quarter, Wayne is able to put some pressure on Piute by making three, 3-point shots in a row and makes it an eight point game. However when the buzzer signals the end of the game, the T-Birds have won with a score of 60-49.
Panguitch vs. Valley (Girls)
The girls basketball tournament starts off with the matchup between the Panguitch Bobcats and the Valley Buffalos. For the first quarter, the score is close, then within the last minute, the Bobcats take the lead with a score of 15-9. During the second quarter of the game, Pangutich not only keeps their lead, but they grow it. By the end of the second quarter the score is 28-16.
The second half of the game has a similar story, Panguitch keeps their lead, but enhances it by another 10 points. While Valley plays some good basketball, it isn’t enough to stop Panguitch’s roll. The third quarter ends with a score of 52-24. In the fourth and final quarter, new faces join the game, but that doesn’t stop the hustle can be seen from both teams. The game ends with a victory to Panguitch with a score of 60-25.
Piute vs. Wayne (Girls)
The second girls game of the night is another matchup of the Piute T-Birds and the Wayne Badgers. Both teams lock in, but it’s Piute who takes the lead and gets a last-second 3-point shot in with the buzzer. The first quarter ends with a score of 16-7. Piute takes control of the game in the second quarter and brings the end of the second quarter with a score of 37-14.
During the third quarter, Wayne is able to put some points on the board, but a gap still remains in the scores. The ending score is 46-31, Piute, for the third quarter. The game ends with a few foul shots, but ultimately, Piute walks away the winner with a score of 67-44.
This story will soon be continued with the championship game.
– by Ari Hurdsman
Feature image caption: Grace Leach (Bryce Valley) jumps, flicking her hand as she sends off a shot for the hoop at region basketball. All photos courtesy of Mandy Morrill.
Ari Hurdsman – Junction
Ari Hurdsman is a junior journalist at the Byway. She just recently moved to Ephraim, Utah, where she is a freshman at Snow College. She enjoys writing about Piute sports, and she’s really good at it! In her free time, she enjoys singing, dancing, reading and hanging out with friends and family.