5A boys high school basketball: Intimidated? Jags just say no, win 5A title
WEST VALLEY CITY — West Jordan wasn't interested in being a footnote in Lone Peak's historic dynasty.
The Jaguars knew all about Lone Peak's bid Saturday night to win a third-straight state title and a fourth in five years — a feat not accomplished since the '50s. The players simply refused to be intimidated by the seemingly daunting task in front of them.
Playing with a big heart for a fallen ex-teammate and unwavering poise, West Jordan accomplished what no one outside of its own city limits probably thought was possible — it beat Lone Peak 63-52 to claim the 5A state championship.
"Everyone has always been intimidated to play them, and I think we went into the game ready to play them," said West Jordan guard Jordan Weirick. "We didn't want them to get the three-peat. We wanted to get the ring for ourselves."
The Jaguars won their first state title since 2001 by outshooting and outrebounding Lone Peak, as well as harassing reigning Mr. Basketball Tyler Haws into one of the worst shooting nights of his career.
"I know nobody really believed we could win today, but we felt like we were supposed to win. We've had an emotional locker room all week.… I'm just so proud of my guys," said West Jordan coach Scott Briggs.
Joe Montgomery, a reserve player for the Jaguars last season, was involved in an accident earlier this week and passed away during West Jordan's semifinal win over Davis. The emotion further united an already tight team.
"I think we came out and played for Joe Montgomery. Even though he wasn't the most talented player, he was the hardest worker by far of anyone. We just came out and played like him, and just played in his memory," said Weirick.
West Jordan closed the game on a 15-4 run to claim the title, something Briggs hoped might happen. Lone Peak has rarely been tested in the fourth quarter this season, and Briggs challenged his team to keep it close to see how the Knights responded. They didn't handle the situation well at all.
With the game tied 48-48 with 4:33 remaining, West Jordan went ahead for good on one of Reyes Gallegos' four 3-pointers. Mason Sawyer extended the lead to 56-48 with five straight points over the next two minutes, while Lone Peak came up empty on four straight possessions.
Gallegos finished with 22 points, but his biggest points came in the third quarter.
Both teams came out red hot, with the score level at 19-19 after the first quarter. Lone Peak stayed hot in the second quarter, opening up a 31-20 lead with three minutes remaining in the first half, and appeared poised to pull away.
Recent comments
I"m bout to win us another championship!!!!!!!!
David Hunsaker | May 1, 2009 at 10:26 a.m.
I met a few of the LP parents during the tournament and found them to...
WJ fan | March 13, 2009 at 1:22 p.m.
congrats WJ. im glad you and West won. way to put it down for the...
majik#24 | March 13, 2009 at 11:49 a.m.
- RSL trades Seitz to Philadelphia 8:44 p.m.
- World datelines 8:34 p.m.
- Muslim pilgrims face rain, flu threat 8:33 p.m.
- Israel offers short halt in building 8:33 p.m.
- 7 charged in Mumbai attacks 8:33 p.m.
- Obama to unveil Afghan decision 8:33 p.m.
- Taliban leader rules out Karzai talks 8:32 p.m.
- Dobbs weighs Senate run 8:32 p.m.
- Atlantis leaves space station 8:32 p.m.
- No bad side effects from vaccine? 8:31 p.m.
- Donny and Kym dance to victory
- Howard made the rivalry a rivalry
- Crews free man in Utah County cave
- Cougars cruise past Southern
- Loyal to Cougarettes, Crimson Line
- Twitterati to BCS: 'We hate you.'
- Y. focused on 10-win season
- BYU has slim shot at BCS
- Thunder rolls by Jazz
- Witness describes '99 killing
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
258 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
227 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
207 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
139 - BYU records with win
133 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
129 - Boys basketball rankings
106 - Hall, Johnson matchup key
102 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
102
Wayne Howard was a lightning rod in the Utah-BYU rivalry, back when he...
I could tell BYU was ready to play Saturday afternoon even before the...
I guess the Cougars didn't want to exert themselves too much before the...
They (Utah and BYU), were both schooled this year by none other than TCU. The...
I don't want to see any emotional crybabies, after BYU gets their tails kicked.
Riverton has always been, that is why they worry about Bingham
They would both look better in red.
I wouldn't say BYU is scared to play in Logan, but I don't think they can...
What?? We haven't eliminated it yet? Well this certainly should work. On...
I use to go in mines all the time in Ut and I have been in that cave befor,...
Re: Bingham Fan You should rethink your title matchup, it will be...
Wow, I better go check the straightness of my license plate right now. Davis...
Hands down. He held No. 2 NFL draft pick Paul Kruger on the road in check all...


