High school basketball: Jaguars pummel Panthers in matchup of defending champions

WEST JORDAN — The defending 5A state champions gave the defending 4A state champions a rude welcome to their class Tuesday night, as the West Jordan Jaguars pummeled the West Panthers 73-48.

After placing three players in high-level college programs, it would have been understandable if West Jordan happened to be sluggish in its first game. Instead the Jaguars came out slugging, using a physical inside presence to spur several scoring streaks that had the game out of hand before the fourth quarter.

"We rebounded very well and gave ourselves a lot of second chance opportunities. Anytime you outrebound teams you give yourself a chance to win," West Jordan head coach Scott Briggs said after the game. "I think West is a good basketball program, so anytime you can walk away with a win on opening night, you'll take it."

Jaxon Knighton tallied 13 points, most of them from offensive rebounds.

The 6-foot-4 junior also captured 13 rebounds. He was matched inside by sophomore Jordan Loveridge, who had 14 points and several blocked shots.

The primary beneficiary of the inside dominance was the Jaguars' Jesse Herrin, who hit five three pointers en route to 18 points. West, who also lost a number of players from its 4A championship squad, never found an answer to West Jordan's balanced approach in its 5A debut.

Knighton's best work was done in the first quarter, when his six second-chance points helped push the Jaguars to a 15-10 lead. West was forced into several turnovers that proved disruptive to their offense, and they were unable to consistently generate scoring opportunities or find space for star guard Tyrell Corbin.

The Jaguars continued to exert their presence inside on both ends of the floor during the second quarter, leading to a 33-21 lead at the half.

Corbin came to life in the third quarter with 10 of his 15 points, but West Jordan had already put the game out of hand with a 13-3 run to begin the quarter. The score stood at 53-35 after three.

"I expected it to be closer, but I knew we were bigger than them so it would be hard for them to compete with us," Knighton said. "We have someone flash to the high (post), then we seal off down low, and it's pretty much all night."

Corbin led West with 15 points, and the Panthers also received a strong effort from guard Jordan Tanner, who tallied 14 points and four three-pointers. Corbin and Tanner are the only contributors who returned from last season's championship squad.

"Our point guard, Andre Ashton, did a really good job of staying in front of Corbin," Briggs said. "For a first night I thought we did a pretty good job defensively."