High school boys basketball: Wilcox, Vikings cruise past Hawks

PLEASANT GROVE — Never mind that Alta, fresh off two meaningful wins in the state of Texas, came into Tuesday's game with Pleasant Grove bolstering an impressive 7-1 record, or that they rank among the top boys basketball teams in the state. CJ Wilcox and the Vikings made quick work of the Hawks 74-59 thanks to his game high 39 points.

Wilcox nonchalantly scored at will as he paced the Pleasant Grove offensive attack. A quick back cut on the baseline resulted in an easy dunk for his first two points of the game. Later in the quarter Wilcox stole a pass and headed down court on a fast break. As the Alta defender sprinted ahead to perhaps draw a charge, or at least alter the shot, Wilcox rose up and threw down another two handed jam going over the top of the Alta player. That was merely the beginning as he hit shot after shot from behind the arc.

"He played so much more under control tonight," said Pleasant Grove coach Randy McCallister of Wilcox's performance. "I thought he had a more unselfish attitude and he scored 39."

Although the Viking shooting guard poured in more than half his team's points, it was the Pleasant Grove defense that propelled Pleasant Grove to victory. The Vikings held Alta to just 17 first half points and only six in the second quarter. By comparison Wilcox, alone, outscored the Hawks in the quarter with 13; all while Viking defenders crowded the passing lanes causing deflections, which turned into easy points the other way.

"We had a real good night defensively," McCallister said. "The energy was there; we were in the passing lanes competing for every ball."

Alta made a run in the third quarter cutting the lead to eight as Jordy Brown, who scored 13 on the night, made a driving lay-up. Nate Nielsen led the Hawks with 15, but every time Alta inched closer Wilcox responded with a big three-point shot or got to the line to curb Alta's momentum.

As chants of "MVP" sounded from the Viking student section Wilcox took his seat on the bench in the closing seconds of the blowout win. Having scored 39 points and making 10 of his 11 free throws in the fourth quarter, Wilcox watched as his team cemented a benchmark win on the season.

"It feels good," Wilcox said of his team's win. "We knew it was going be a tough game; they're a tough team. I think our defense just kind of brought them down a little bit."