High School Basketball: 4A semifinal preview: Highland vs Timpview

OGDEN – Amid a flurry of close losses during the regular season, Highland learned a few tough lessons on how to be successful.

Those lessons included hitting free throws, limiting turnovers, and playing smart basketball. Above all, the Rams became aware of just how much an aggressive approach on defense can benefit them in all areas of the game.

They certainly saw firsthand evidence of what good defense can do after beating Lehi 52-41 in the 4A quarterfinal round on Thursday.

Highland allowed the Pioneers to shoot just 31.8 percent from the field and 20 percent from the three-point line. The Rams also forced a dozen turnovers and scored 17 points off of those miscues. Lehi eventually scored a season-low 41 points and did not cross the 50 point plateau for the first time in 12 games.

Junior point guard Sam Orchard pointed to a greater defensive intensity as being the biggest difference maker in the tournament so far.

"Everyone is just hustling more and boxing out more," Orchard said. "We're getting rebounds and that's leading to a better offense."

Highland's defense will face a major challenge with Timpview up next today.

The Thunderbirds outlasted Sky View 59-48 to nab a semifinal berth after dominating in the transition game against the Bobcats. Timpview outscored their opponent 12-0 in fastbreak points and had 28 total points in the paint compared to just 18 for Sky View.

It's not a new story for the T-Birds (17-7), who average 61.3 points on the season and have been held under 50 points just twice this season – both times in losses to Provo.

"We rebound, run and have fun," Timpview coach Perry Wildeboer said. "That's kind of our thing – play fast. When we play fast, we're hard to beat."

Leading the speed attack is senior forward Eli Robison. Through 24 games, he is averaging 15.6 points and 5.2 rebounds and is the team leader in both categories.

Robison is complimented by a pair of speedy guards in Josh Warner and Christian Covey. The duo combined for 19 points and 12 assists against Sky View. Wildeboer said their talent is as good as he has seen in a backcourt.

"This is the most skilled guard group I've ever had at Timpview," Wildeboer said. "They're all juniors. I've been working with them since they were in 4th or 5th grade on ball handling. This is a great ball handling and shooting group I have. It's paying dividends now."