T-birds shut down Bobcats to advance in 4A

TAYLORSVILLE — Most of what Gabrielle Pinegar did to help the Timpview girls basketball team advance to the semifinals can't be measured statistically.

"Gabby does really well with anticipating and reading," said Timpview coach Wendy Anae after the T-birds defeated fifth-ranked Sky View 46-42. "I don't think teams expect much out of her. She's a real asset."

Pinegar may get overlooked because she plays with one of the best post players in 4A — sophomore forward Alexis Kafusi. But when Kafusi got in foul

e T-birds keep pace with the Bobcats. She finished with five steals, two of them in the final minute of the game. It was not her plan to focus on defense, but she said was making the best of an off night.

The sophomore's shots weren't falling, so she poured her energy into stopping the Bobcats.

"I was getting frustrated, so I just turned it into defense," she said.

Her decision to turn a negative into something positive helped the squad come back after the Bobcat's grabbed the lead in the first quarter. While she led the team defensively, her teammate Kafusi led the team on the boards and offensively.

Kafusi finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds, something she's done for the T-birds nearly every game since returning from an injury midseason. Pinegar scored eight points, but had five steals and five assists. Aubrey Reeves added 13 points in the win that helped the T-birds change a losing season into another semifinal berth.

Timpview started the season with one loss after another as they struggled through a new head coach, new plays and all new, young players with very little varsity game time.

"We always believed in the kids," Anae said. "It was just getting used to our system. They worked hard, and always played with heart. I think they deserve everything they've gotten."

The loss ended a successful season for the Bobcats, who won the region 5 title for the second year in a row.

"We weren't doing anything to help each other on defense," said Sky View coach Tonya Voeller. "I think we got tired. We had a few mental lapses here and there, and we lost confidence and momentum."

The Bobcats were led by seniors Lisa Hall and Nicole Sorenson, who finished with 10 and 11 points, respectively. Sorenson also grabbed eight rebounds and earned five assists. The Bobcats were used to more contributions from their reserves, but the T-bird defense held the bench to just seven points.

"They are quick," Voeller said of Timpview. "They have a great inside/outside game. But this was a great season for us. We started 0-4 and weren't sure what the season was going to look like. My kids dug in their heels, fought back and won another region title."

The win means Timpview will face region rival Orem in the semifinals Friday at 4:10 p.m.

BONNEVILLE 62, BOX ELDER 56: Jesse Baddley led all scorers with 38 points as the Lakers edged region rival Box Elder to earn a berth in the semifinals. Teammate Alex Filiaga grabbed 16 rebounds and scored eight points. Brooke Tolman led the Bees with 19 points.

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E-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com