Defense is key to Jaguars win

West Jordan needed a win, it's really that simple.

Mired in a three-game losing skid after starting the year 3-0, confidence was beginning to be an issue for the Jaguars heading into Tuesday's game against up-start Skyline, and poor defense was the primary culprit.

You can imagine the frustration then for West Jordan coach Scott Briggs after watching Skyline score 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting in the first quarter.

"We're thinking maybe (defense) isn't something we're going to be capable of," said Briggs.

The Jaguars proved Briggs wrong the rest of the way with an impressive defensive effort earning a 60-51 road victory over a Skyline team that had only lost one game.

It was as simple as being more active. Following a first quarter in which Skyline couldn't miss, West Jordan's aggressive defense forced the Eagles into 9-25 shooting the rest of the game and 17 total turnovers.

"On this losing skid we were giving up too many points. Teams have been way to comfortable against us," said Briggs.

Following the opening quarter in which Skyline looked extremely comfortable in making four 3-pointers to take a 22-20 lead, West Jordan began to clamp down defensively. Even though Skyline upped its lead to 29-26 at the half, the Jaguars sent a message with their intensity that things wouldn't be quite so easy the rest of the way.

Three straight 3-pointers helped Skyline claw back to 45-43 with 5:33 remaining in the game, but West Jordan once again responded with a 12-1 run to ice the victory and improve to 4-3 on the season.

West Jordan junior Rayes Gallegos finished with a game-high 18 points while teammate Tanner Connors added 16 as West Jordan made an incredible 20-of-31 field goals.

Skyline finished the game shooting 50 percent (18 of 36) from the field and burying eight three points, as Kevin Wagstaff led the way with 16 points.