Timpview blows out Sky View

TAYLORSVILLE — Timpview came out with fierce determination to make sure the glass slipper didn't fit Sky View quite so well.

With a menacing press and incredible hustle, the Thunderbirds dispatched Cinderella from the 4A girls state basketball semifinals with ease, 70-24, on Friday.

In the process, the T-Birds stole a little of that title for themselves, making it to the finals for the first time in three tries after losing twice in a row in the final four.

This year, they came into the game against Sky View with only a 12-9 record themselves.

"We just really wanted to win," said Timpview sophomore Chelsea Bridgewater, who dominated from the inside and led all scorers with 17 points. She also added seven rebounds. "We were ready for a fight because in the state tournament if you lose once you're done.

"We just had everybody boxing out and going after it. We didn't have anybody slacking off."

And they didn't slack off all game despite huge leads.

"We've given up leads before, so we've learned you have to keep on them," said Timpview coach Kawika Akina. "Earlier in the season we let a lot of teams back in games."

His team came out strong right from the beginning, outscoring Sky View 13-1 in the first quarter and continuing the domination throughout.

Gabrielle Pinegar played yet another strong all-around game with seven steals in addition to her eight points and four assists. Ashley Fisher nailed three treys without a single miss to finish with nine points.

"Fisher came off the bench big for us," said Akina. "She was a big spark, played tough and those 3s were huge for her confidence."

Jen Farnsworth grabbed six boards and scored eight points for the T-Birds. Karlee Weight added nine points, and Kellie Woodfield dished the ball well with five assists.

Sky View freshman Amy Andrus once again led the Bobcats with eight points and seven rebounds, while Liz Malmberg added seven boards and five points.

Timpview will now head into the finals to take on Region 7 foe Orem for the third time this season. The Tigers beat the Thunderbirds on both previous occasions.

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E-mail: jolsen@desnews.com