SPRINGVILLE — Up until now everything has been practice. Even though both Springville and Timpview have purposely scheduled tough games with highly-ranked opponents, nothing really counted until their game against each other.

The 4A No. 2 Red Devils came into the important first Region 7 matchup with a 6-1 record, and the T-Birds were 3-4, but none of that mattered once the ball was thrown in the air. The only important records now come from the games they play against league foes.

And these two league rivals are both hoping to garner the top spot in Region 7 as they make their runs for the state title. The T-Birds lost in the finals last year, while the Red Devils were ousted in the semis, but both teams are hoping this year will be different.

It was the Red Devils that took the first step to their main goal right now of taking home a region championship with a 72-48 victory that was really much closer than that.

The T-Birds actually held a 16-14 lead at the end of the first quarter, led by Mary Ann Morrow's seven points in the period. She finished with 18 points in the game to lead Timpview.

But it was the second quarter that gave the Red Devils their first real taste of the lead, and they didn't want to relinquish it. Ashley Kroneberger evened things up for the first time in the second quarter at 18 on a putback and put the Red Devils ahead with a free throw on the three point play. Morrow deadlocked it again at 20 for the T-Birds, but then things went south for the team from Provo as the Red Devils finished off a 14-2 run, taking a 28-20 lead. Timpview was able to tighten things up again several times and were actually only behind 49-40 at the end of the third quarter, though both teams were in the penalty before time ran out on the third.

Then things completely fell apart for the T-Birds as Springville shot 20 free throws in the next five and a half minutes, hitting 11 of them. Timpvew, meanwhile, was only able to knock down 2-9 from the line in the same stretch. During this time four T-Birds were sent to the bench with five fouls each, and Timpview coach Kawika Akina was hit with a technical for arguing.

"It was a great game, especially in the first three quarters. My girls are young, and if they're calling it that tight, we have to learn to back off a little," said Akina, whose teams are known for their aggressive play.

But it wasn't just fouls that finished his team off at the end, it was his own team's free throw shooting.

"Free throw shooting is something we've been struggling with. We've been working on it, and I know we will get it eventually," said Akina.

Though his team went 11-26 from the line in the game, while the Red Devils shot 28-43 as the teams combined to shoot 69 free throws, he was happy with most other aspects of the game. The Red Devils' fearsome stars, Lexi Eaton and Kroneberger only combined for 12 total points in the first half, which Akina credits partially to his changing defenses.

Eaton finished with 11 points, while Kroneberger added 22. But four more Springville players scored seven or more points in a balanced effort. Sadie Clements finished with 9, Jessica Jensen had eight, and Genna Brown and Mackenzie Nielson each had seven.

The Red Devils are now preparing for one more non-region contest as they will use their day off from league play on Thursday to play the 5A No. 2 Riverton Silverwolves in their next contest.

Timpview doesn't get a break from league action and must take on the 4A No. 2 Mountain View Bruins in their next outing on Thursday.

Chelsea Bridgewater finished with 12 points for Timpview.

E-mail: jolsen@desnews.com