The 2024 Region Basketball Championship: Girls and Boys

The championship game for Region 20’s region basketball tournament commenced on February 17 at Panguitch High School. Teams from within the region sat down and prepared themselves to watch the battle between the rival schools: Panguitch and Piute. Throughout the week both Panguitch’s and Piute’s boys and girls basketball teams fought for their place in the championship game. The first region championship game was of the girls basketball teams.

Girls Championship Game

Before the game starts, Panguitch and Piute cheerleaders combine to present the flag. Then Becky Henrie sings the national anthem.

First Quarter

Within a blink of an eye, the girls basketball region championship game begins. The ball is tipped over to Amy Morgan, so Piute has first possession and a chance to run a play. After a few passes around, the ball is picked up by Mallory Henrie. The game is in only two minutes when Tabetha Henrie gets the ball and takes it back to Panguitch’s side of the court. There she passes the ball back to Mallory Henrie, who gets the first basket of the game. After a little back and forth, Kaycee Gleave steals the ball and gets a fast break, scoring a layup for the T-Birds.

The first quarter of the game is fairly even. Shots are made from both teams, keeping the score close. With 15 seconds left in the quarter, Panguitch has the ball. They pass it around the wings for a bit, until Makena Owens passes to Tabetha Henrie, who makes a 3-point shot. Piute’s Kaycee Gleave attempts to make a shot before the buzzer goes off, but is blocked by Panguitch. Ending the first quarter with a score of 14-8, Panguitch leading.

Second Quarter

Kazlee King from Piute is the first to score in the second quarter. During this quarter, Piute’s defense keeps Panguitch from scoring, besides four free throw shots, until there’s 1:36 seconds left. Brayli Frandsen makes the first non-free throw shot, a mini hook for Panguitch. With 41 seconds, Tabetha Henrie gets fouled. She makes one shot, Panguitch gets the rebound, and Tayt Miller gets fouled. She also makes her shot. Kazlee King for Piute gets fouled; she makes in one shot. The second quarter ends with Panguitch leading 26-15.

Third Quarter

In the third quarter, Piute gets three more points to their score within the first three minutes. Throughout the rest of the quarter, however, Panguitch steps up and makes a break away. They leave Piute in the dust with a score of 40-22.

Fourth Quarter

In the fourth quarter, Panguitch scores three more points within the first three minutes, and Piute scores seven. Mallory and Tabetha Henrie work the floor for Panguitch, making it hard for Piute to keep up with little time. Despite the opposition, Piute makes two shots within the last minute of the game, but the lead difference is just too big. 

The game ends with the Bobcats being the winners. Panguitch’s teamwork has been a key to their success. The end score is 56-36.

Boys Championship Game

After the girls’ “crowning of champions” and handing out All-Region rewards and the All-Region team, the boys basketball region championship game starts.

First Quarter

Remme Chappell gets the toss, but Jaxon Westwood snags it and the ball becomes Piute’s. Justin Osburn is the first to score for Panguitch.

For the first quarter, both teams play great offense and defense. They work the other to earn those points. Many turnovers, fast breaks and free throws are where the majority of these points come from. Panguitch leads 12-11 at the end of the first quarter.

Second Quarter

The Bobcats take hold of the second quarter and gain a bigger lead. With some slips off of Piute, the ball finds a little home in possession of Panguitch, allowing them to make some 3-point shots and a fast break. The first two points for Piute were made by free throw shots from Kole Westwood at four minutes. With less than a minute left, Piute puts some good pressure on Panguitch’s offense, steals the ball and makes a shot by Will Myers. Pressuring Panguitch in the very next play, Piute’s Kole Westwood steals the ball once more and passes to Jaxon Westwood for a layup. The quarter ends with a score of 25-20, Panguitch leading.

Third Quarter

Right out of half-time, Piute continues playing with some fire. They close that lead and tie the game with 5 minutes left in the quarter. While the Bobcats get a little lead back, the T-Birds push back and make two shots that put them in the lead. With two free throw shots from Cache Eyre and a 3-pointer by Daxton Miller in the last minute, Panguitch is back in the lead at the end of the quarter. 35-34 is the score at the end of the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Out of the gate, both Panguitch and Piute work the floor and get some shots in. Putting the score to 41-36, Panguitch. The room is full of tension and anticipation as Panguitch’s Justin Osburn drains a 3-point shot. This extends the lead by five points. Piute’s Jaxon Westwood gets fouled and makes both of his shots. While the Bobcats make another shot, the T-Birds lock in. They make six points in a row, which makes the game a one-point difference with 2:15 left. Chappell gets fouled, makes both shots. Piute scores again. Panguitch tries to make a play, the ball is stolen by Myers.

The air is tight, with only 50 seconds left and a one-point difference. Jaxon Westwood makes another layup. With 10 seconds left, Piute has possession out-of-bounds. Osburn fouls Jaxon Westwood, taking him to the free-throw line. Westwood makes both shots.

Panguitch scrambles. They have five seconds left and their hope to tie the game is to make a 3-pointer. Osburn takes the shot, but misses. The buzzer rings and the game ends with Piute being the Boys Region 20 Region champs. The final score is 50-53.

– by Ari Hurdsman

Feature image caption: This year’s championships came down to Panguitch-Piute games for both boys and girls. The Piute boys won the 2024 region basketball championship. The Panguitch girls were the other champions. Panguitch High School, February 17, 2024. All photos courtesy of Mandy Morrill.

---