Prep boys basketball: Hawks knock off Knights on a cold-shooting night

SANDY — It was going to be a cold shooting night at Alta High School on Friday night. That is, if the Hawks had their way.

Kyle Davis adjusted to it, but the Lone Peak Knights didn't. Hampered by a trio of defenders in their back pocket most of the night, the Knights' best shooters never got untracked and Alta claimed a 53-42 win in a Region 4 boys basketball game.

"We had a great game plan," said Davis, who scored 12 points on just 3-of-14 shooting. "We helped coming off screens. Last time, Nick Emery and Tannon Pederson combined for 57 points. This was a great win."

Emery still picked up 17 points, but had an Alta player glued to him the entire night. Pederson had a little more room and added 13 points. Still, it was a far cry from what they had last time in Lone Peak's 66-57 win.

"We've got to be able to handle that kind of stuff," said Lone Peak coach Quincy Lewis. "Alta was able to execute and you have to give them credit for that."

Davis made the biggest play. Even after he missed his first seven shots, he didn't change his mood on the court.

Alta led the entire game, but saw its lead narrowed to 34-30 late in the third quarter. Lone Peak had a chance to cut the margin, but Davis blocked a shot, and then the Hawks benefited from a fast break where the Lone Peak defender was called for an intentional foul.

The Hawks bumped the margin to 38-32 at the end of the period. But on Lone Peak's next possession, Davis stole a pass on the perimeter and electrified the home crowd with a breakaway dunk.

"That was big," Davis said. "That got the crowd into the game and that got us going."

"Davis had his moments," said Alta coach Jim Barker. "You get those cushion points and it helps us relax."

Alta actually extended the margin late in the game. The Hawks held the ball on offense for long periods, and their defense held Lone Peak to 34 percent shooting. Emery, a freshman who averages 20.3 points per game, hit some amazing shots, but was never able to connect on a 3-pointer and change the momentum.

Emery and Brody Berry eventually fouled out.

The Hawks, meanwhile, got a great floor game from senior guard Jordan Brown, who finished with 13 points, including a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter that helped Alta to a 15-6 lead.

Center Cody Johnson also bounced back from an illness to have his best game of the season with 14 points and 14 rebounds.

"They're playing really well," said Lewis. "That's the best team in the region right now."