4A high school basketball: Mustangs turn back Braves in overtime battle

OGDEN — It's one of those inexplicable state tournament phenomenons.

All season long, one of the things the Mountain Crest Mustangs could count on was solid free-throw shooting.

"Honestly, free throws have been one of our strengths," said coach Jim Crosbie after the fourth-ranked Mustangs defeated Region 6 champion Bountiful 64-53 in overtime Thursday at the Dee Event Center. "We were in the 80-percent range most of the season. I am really proud of the kids and how they made the ones that mattered."

It was reassuring to both coach and players that while that aspect of the game suffered, especially in regulation, the team found a way to win against a very tough defensive and talented offensive team like Bountiful.

"Right out of the gate, we spotted them points, so I felt like I had to do something," said Matt Stewart, who finished with 27 points and five rebounds. "I was able to find holes, and my shots were dropping."

Stewart was almost perfect in the second and third quarters on field goal shooting, just when the team needed him to keep pace with Bountiful. Meanwhile, the Mustangs' defense decided to clamp down on the Braves' outside shooters.

"We've seen them on film," said Crosbie. "Everybody in the state knows they can shoot."

The Mustangs got a huge lift from Troy Pickett, who came off the bench and not only found a way to score, but was huge on the boards as well. He finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

"We've been pushing him real hard, and we felt we needed a spark," said Crosbie. "He went right straight to the hole. ... He just came out real aggressive. I was very proud of him. For a kid to come off the bench and play like that for us was big time."

Pickett, who has started when another player was injured, said he doesn't mind when he gets minutes.

"Either one is good for me," he said. "Whatever is best for the team."

Bountiful was led by Mckay La Salle, who scored 20 points, including four 3-pointers, and Nick Williams, who scored 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Mountain Crest out-rebounded Bountiful 35-25.

Both players and coaches credited Bountiful's defense for making them work for every single shot.

"We couldn't get a 3 up," said Pickett of the first half. "Their defense looked like a zone, but it felt like man. And then they did the box-and-one on Matt. It was tough."