Silverwolves get defensive

OGDEN — It was fun while it lasted, but now the Jordan Beetdiggers know how Davis must've felt the other night.

Two days after a brilliant shooting performance in a first-round upset over the ice-cold Davis Darts, Jordan simply couldn't buy a basket in the 5A quarterfinals Thursday night, whereas its opponent couldn't miss.

Riverton held Jordan to a horrific 33 percent shooting game and, as a result, rolled into today's 5A semifinals with a 52-32 over the 'Diggers.

"Our guys were excited to play," said Riverton coach Steve Galley. "It makes you look real good when things just go great for you and don't go so great for them."

Riverton never looked back after jumping out to a 12-1 lead, extending it to 19-4 by the end of the first quarter and 28-7 late in the second quarter.

The Silverwolves finished the first half shooting 59.1 percent and 58.8 percent for the game.

Morgan Grim led the way for Riverton with 16 points and seven rebounds. More importantly, Galley was pleased with Grim's unselfish play, passing out of double teams during a first-half in which players like Corey Cardwell helped Riverton jump out to the huge lead.

Riverton's commitment to defense was a big reason for the blowout.

"Our guys are really interested in defending right now," said Galley. "(We) just always try and talk about great defense leads to good offense."

This is Riverton's second straight trip to the semifinals, having advanced to last year's 5A state championship game where it lost to Bingham on a last-second jump shot by Brett Sommerville.

The 'Wolves can advance to the championship for the second straight year with a win over Spanish Fork tonight at 6 at the Dee Events Center.

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E-mail: jedward@desnews.com