Canyon View's 'D' too much for Emery

OGDEN — Canyon View's defense proved one last time that it really is that good.

On two separate occasions — once in regulation and once in overtime — 3A's top-ranked Falcons were staring straight into the eyes of defeat. Each time, however, Canyon View came up with the necessary defensive stop, and the last one clinched its 38-37 championship game victory over Emery at the Dee Events Center.

"Physically and mentally, you have to be tough to get it done going down the wire," said Canyon View coach Steve Hodson. "I thought we did that on the defensive end and we rebounded the ball when we needed to."

Winners of every game but one this year, Canyon View (24-1) didn't exactly face a whole lot of adversity. But late in the fourth quarter, they were on the verge of getting consumed by it.

Having led virtually the entire game, including 19-10 at the half, the Falcons watched their lead evaporate as a spirited Emery club began playing the brand of up-tempo basketball that advanced the Spartans to the championship game.

Ashley Hansen buried a 12-foot jumper with 2:57 remaining to give Emery a 34-31 lead, and nearly two minutes later, the Spartans extended that lead to 35-31 with just 1:05 remaining.

Amazingly, the Falcons didn't panic.

"I think we all wanted it so badly," said Canyon View guard Brenna Morgan. "We've worked on keeping our focus steady all year, and I think it paid off for us."

After a time-out, Canyon View's normally patient offense began to work more quickly, and it paid off as Ashley Gentry drew a foul in the paint. She calmly stepped up and buried both free throws to cut Emery's lead to 35-33.

As Emery leading scorer Camille Fehlberg brought the ball up the court, she was stripped by Cassie Platt, who fed it up court to a streaking Morgan. As she tried laying it in, she was fouled. Just like Gentry before her, Morgan calmly stepped up and buried both free throws to tie the game at 35-35.

That set the stage for some fantastic drama.

Saturday's championship game was being billed as Canyon View's defense (30.8 ppg) against Emery's offense (54.9 ppg), and the final 30 seconds came down to that exact match-up.

"Tips and deflections, don't foul, and just play team defense," that's what the team talked about prior to Emery's final possession according to Brandi King.