High school girls basketball: Early rematch highlights 1A tournament

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Team-by-team 1A girls state tournament capsules.

RICHFIELD — A lot of fans hoped for, even expected, a rematch of last year's state championship game in this year's 1A girls basketball tournament.

And they'll get a Rich vs. Bryce Valley contest — just a whole lot earlier than anyone expected.

Thanks to back-to-back losses in the Region 20 Tournament — the region that still relies on a seeding tournament — the formerly undefeated and top-ranked Mustangs are a No. 4 seed going into Wednesday's 1A State Tournament at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield.

And thanks to some bad luck, they drew top-ranked, undefeated in region and defending 1A state champion Rich in that first contest.

"We didn't want to play Rich first, but I don't think they want to play us either," said Bryce Valley head coach Tyson Brinkerhoff.

Rich High head coach Scott Ferguson confirms that's true.

"I wish they'd get rid of their tournament, that's what I think," said Ferguson, laughing. "But there is nothing you can do about it."

The Mustangs beat every team in Region 20 twice and then they lost in the first round to Piute — blowing a double-digit lead — and by a single point to Milford in the second round.

Brinkerhoff said his team is disappointed but not devastated. It's unfortunate that the result of the tournament essentially erases a season that the entire community was so proud of.

"The way we're approaching it is that we put the bad games behind us," he said. "There was no excuse."

Pressure may have gotten to the girls as they'd dedicated the season to one girl's father who is suffering from cancer.

"They feel like they let him down," said Brinkerhoff.

Now the key is finding a way to regroup after two bitter losses. Both teams boast some of the state's best talent, as well as experience.

Whitni Syrett, who averages 16.1 points, and Sydney Cornforth, who averages nearly 12 points, lead a deep, tough team for Bryce Valley.

The Rebels are led by senior Courtney Lamborn, who averages nearly 15 points per game, and Alisa Petersen, who adds 10 points per game.