From Deseret News archives:
High school boys basketball: Neilson lifts Riverton over W.J.
If Neilson expended all of his energy on defense and contributed just a few points, it would have been just fine with his teammates and coaches.
Instead, Neilson was a force on both ends of the floor, leading Riverton to a key 51-41 win over West Jordan in Region 3 play. The Silverwolves claimed sole possession of first place in Region 3 while improving to 3-0 in league play and 13-1 overall. West Jordan dropped to 2-1 and 11-3.
Neilson poured in a career-high 19 points for Riverton, but his more important contributions probably came on defense. Gallegos is one of the state's most exciting players and is equally tough to guard. Neilson did a stellar job on him, limiting him to eight points.
Neilson didn't do much gloating about it, though, perhaps because the teams will meet again in a game on Feb. 13 that could decide the Region 3 championship.
"I know he's a great athlete," Neilson said. "I didn't want to let him shoot because he's a good shooter, and we also didn't want his high-flying dunks and stuff going. I tried to just contest his shot and contain him when he penetrated."
Neilson had help from his tree-like front line when Gallegos did penetrate. Post players Ryan Thomas and Jeff Tanner, both of whom stand 6-foot-7, as well as 6-foot-9 reserve Austin Gamblin, controlled the paint and helped limit the production of West Jordan's playmakers.
Thomas, Tanner and Gamblin only combined to score 14 points, but that total hardly tells the story of what they meant to the Silverwolves on Friday night. They kept the Jaguars' defense honest by showing they were a threat to score, and they made some nice passes to guys on the perimeter to get them open looks.
"They are the most improved players on the team," Riverton coach Steve Galley said of his post players. "What they've done from spring to summer, and what they've added to this team — they're tough, they take charges, they rebound."
Riverton took control of Friday's game early, building a seven-point lead to close the first quarter. That early lead forced the Jaguars to rush and press, and although West Jordan did provide some scares, Riverton was always able to handle the pressure.
Neilson contributed seven of his points in a third-quarter spurt that saw the Silverwolves stretch a 26-24 lead to 38-28. West Jordan got within 40-36 with 4:45 left in the game, but Riverton pulled away on a Scott Friel layup and four free throws by Neilson.
West Jordan's 41 points tied it for a season low.
The fourth-ranked Silverwolves happily celebrated with their fans as the game ended, and in their locker room after the contest. They knew that beating the third-ranked Jaguars, coached by Scott Briggs, one of the best in the business, was a big accomplishment.
"Scott's a great coach," Galley said. "It's draining trying to prepare for his teams. It feels good to get a 'W."'
E-mail: aaragon@desnews.com
