5A boys state tourney: Springville overturns 15-point deficit to set up championship with Timpview

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SALT LAKE CITY — The semifinal round of the 5A boys state tournament starts Thursday at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. Follow along as we recap all the tournament games.

Games played Thursday are as follows:

Timpview v. Farmington @ 7 p.m.
Springville v. Woods Cross @ 8:40 p.m.

Thursday, 11:26pm

Semifinal: Visentin, Red Devils overturn 15-point second-half deficit to top Wildcats, 71-69

SALT LAKE CITY — Woods Cross was on fire, and Springville was in trouble. Quaid Knell capped a 12-4 run out of halftime, and Tyler Roberts added a triple on the next possession to give the Wildcats a 50-35 lead on Springville with three minutes left in the third quarter of Thursday’s Class 5A state semifinal. The Red Devils were down. But not out. Zach Visentin had a game-high 25 points, eight rebounds and six blocked shots, and Springville overcame a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit to stun Woods Cross 71-69 and advance to the state championship game for the second time in four years. “There was a second where I was worried,” Visentin said. “And then we started getting some stops, and I immediately put it all away. I knew we were going to pull it out. “I wasn’t worried.”

.@ISUBengals signee Zach Visentin helped Springville (@SHS_RedDevils) overturn a 15-point second-half deficit to stun. Woods Cross, 71-69 in the 5A state semifinals. pic.twitter.com/QHtc63rqap
— KSL.com Sports (@KSLcomSports) February 28, 2020

It didn’t matter that the Wildcats (19-6) doubled up the Red Devils 10-5 from 3-point range. It didn’t matter that they outrebounded Springville 34-33, or that they led through the entire second half until the final two minutes. “This group of eight seniors plays hard, no matter what,” Springville coach Justin Snell said. “The boys just kept working and working. It’s what the group does; it’s why you have eight seniors. “You know they are going to get out there and give it all, because tomorrow could be over.” All that mattered, in the end, was Visentin, the Idaho State signee who had 11 points, five rebounds and a pair of blocks before the break and added the winning putback while fighting off a double team under the basket with about 30 seconds left. “I saw it bobbling, and I didn’t want them to get it. I just went and got it, and put it back,” Visentin said. “I just used all 260 pounds of me and pushed my way to the ball.” Austin Mortensen had 12 points and five rebounds with two steals for the Red Devils (21-5), and Cooper Riggs added 10 points and two of Springville’s five 3-pointers. It was Riggs whose daredevil three from 30 feet with 1:56 pulled Springville all the way back within a possession, 69-66, to set up a frenetic final two minutes. It didn’t matter that Riggs was 2-for-10 from the field before that point. All that mattered was he had the confidence to take one last shot. “Cooper is a fantastic shooter, and I’ve got a bunch of shooters out there who I never tell don’t shoot. Each of them will hit one if they need to,” Snell said. “He’s going to hit the shot that needs to go in. He’s got no fear to take it, even though he was probably four feet off the 3-point line.” Knell finished with 15 points and six rebounds for Woods Cross, and Jake Howe and Tyler Roberts added 13 points apiece for the Wildcats, who got 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists from Davis Creer. — Sean Walker, KSL.com

Thursday, 09:31pm

Semifinal: Santiago's 'ugly' floater lifts Timpview over Farmington at buzzer

SALT LAKE CITY — Jaxon Santiago had a chance at a runner in the lane, a basic shot he’s practiced over and over again, in his driveway, in the practice gym at Timpview High School, and even in the state tournament. In the first quarter of the Thunderbirds’ Class 5A state semifinal against Farmington, he took the shot. And missed the hoop by more than a foot. Good thing he got a second chance. Santiago had just 6 points, but his buzzer-beating runner that hung on the rim after the final whistle gave Timpview a 49-47 win over the Phoenix in front of more than 500 students between the two schools in the Huntsman Center. “I told him that was the ugliest layup I’ve ever seen,” Timpview coach Kevin Santiago said. “But since he made that one, we’ll give it to him. “That’s what high school basketball is all about.” Coleman Ford had 15 points and four assists to lead the Thunderbirds (21-6), who got 14 points, three rebounds and two steals from Jake Wahlin. None were bigger than the turnover Wahlin forced in the final minute, giving Timpview one final chance at a game-winner with the score tied at 47-47. The play drawn up in the coaches’ huddle didn’t work. Neither did a second look, a 3-point try by Santiago. So the junior guard took the game into his own hands — by going back to the first-quarter whiff. This time, there was no miss. Just a hope, a prayer, and a ball that hung on the rim longer than any other Santiago has witnessed. “When it came out of my hand, I had a feeling it was going in — even though it was a little left,” said Jaxon Santiago, who credited his teammates for the game-winning shot. “As soon as it bounced the first time, I started running down the court like it was going in. “It was so awesome. Seeing all my teammates jump around with the coaches, it’s awesome. There’s nothing like it.” Truman Hendry had 14 points and seven rebounds to lead Farmington (19-8), and Collin Chandler added 13 points, three rebounds and three steals, pacing a personal 5-0 run at the end of the third quarter to pull the Phoenix within 37-34. Farmington took a 43-41 lead on Chandler’s dunk with just over 4 minutes on the clock. But the Thunderbirds allowed just one field goal the rest of the way. “Those Farmington dudes, my heart goes out to them,” coach Santiago said. “I’ve lost three times on half-court shots where we just didn’t get the bounce. “But our guys battled.” — Sean Walker, KSL.com

Tuesday, 05:44pm

Quarterfinal: Defense optional as Woods Cross pulls away in victory over Springville

SALT LAKE CITY — Woods Cross outlasted Orem 80-75 in a barn burner that saw eight different players finish in double figures. The Wildcats and Tigers faced off against each other on Tuesday afternoon, where defense appeared optional. The difference in the game was simply that Woods Cross shot 62.0% to Orem’s 57.7%. "They play the way that we want to play," Wildcats head coach Jeff Jorgensen said. "We knew if we were going to turn it over, it was going to be a bad game for us. But we also knew if both teams were playing good, it was going to turn into a great game for everybody who was watching." Quaid Knell, a senior guard for Woods Cross, didn’t score the most points in the game, but his timely shooting kept his team right in the thick of the contest seemingly every time they needed a boost. For Knell, the state tournament was the right time to hit his stride after he fell into a brutal slump about a third into this season. It has been a tough road to free himself from a slump that began to affect every aspect of his game. "Bless that kid’s heart, he is a pure, pure shooter,&" Jorgensen said. "It was just an ugly thing that the kid had to go through to get out of a slump as bad as he was in, and what a fun time to break it loose." Knell finished the game with 17 points on an excellent 7-of-8 from the field, including 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. "With this game, I just knew when the lights shined the brightest, I could play my best. Luckily the shots went down today," Knell said. "I love my coach because he never gave up on me. There were some rough games where I just couldn’t buy one." With both teams scoring at will, and the game tied at 28 in the second quarter, Orem decided to slow the ball down. The Tigers opted to pass the ball around the perimeter and hold it until it was time to attack the paint. The tactic worked, limiting the Wildcats’ touches on offense and keeping them from taking the lead despite shooting 70% from the field in the second quarter. Orem took a 37-32 lead into halftime. In the third quarter, however, Woods Cross improved to 73% from the field and outscored the Tigers by 8 points. Then in the fourth, Jake Howe sunk five clutch free throws to separate the two teams and spoil a 30-point effort from Orem’s Taft Mitchell. Howe finished the game with 20 points. Woods Cross hung on to face Springville Thursday at 8:40 p.m. MST in the 5A semifinal. For Knell, this is exactly what he envisioned at the end of last season. "We’ve always had an eye on (Springville). We played them in the spring and we knew we’d see them in state the following year." — Ty Bianucci, KSL.com

Tuesday, 02:34pm

Quarterfinal: Bountiful's Whaley scores 31, but Springville comes away with the win

SALT LAKE CITY — Springville staved off a late-game Bountiful run to defeat the Braves 65-60 in the quarterfinal round of the 5A boys state tournament Tuesday. Bountiful trailed by double digits in the fourth quarter before switching to a full-court press in an effort to speed up Springville. The move resulted in several Springville turnovers and multiple Bountiful baskets to cut the lead down to three with just over a minute left to play. But Springville figured out the trap game and Austin Mortensen was left open behind a wall of defenders to push the Red Devils’ lead back up to five as Bountiful was left without much time for a comeback. Braves center Robert Whaley scored 16 points in the final quarter en route to a 31-point performance to give Bountiful a fighting chance in the final quarter. The big used great footwork and angles off the glass to score basket after basket to lead Bountiful in the surge. Springville was led by guard Paul Terry’s 21 points and eight assists to give the Red Devils a semifinal berth. Terry took over the second quarter and scored 11 of his team’s final 13 points to give the Red Devils a 5-point halftime lead after a back-and-forth first half. The small lead was the largest of the first half in which neither team was able to establish dominance. Zachary Visentin, a 6-foot-9, 260-pound center, was able to combat Whaley’s dominance in the post and managed 14 points and nine rebounds in the win. He was joined by Landon Haslem, who finished with 10 points and three rebounds. Springville advances to the semifinal round of the tournament and will pair up with the winner of Orem-Woods Cross on Friday at 8:40 p.m. MST at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City. — Josh Furlong, KSL.com

Tuesday, 01:56pm

Quarterfinal: Farmington survives Provo in overtime, advances to semifinal

SALT LAKE CITY — Farmington outlasted a dangerous No. 17-seeded Provo team to win 78-76 in overtime and avoid a quarterfinal upset Tuesday. Farmington’s Mason Covington came alive in the final minute of regulation when he drove to the basket, scored and was fouled to tie the game at 71, giving his frazzled team a chance at overtime. Covington missed the go-ahead free throw, but made up for it with another and-one opportunity in overtime. This time, he drilled it. Covington’s stat line did not stand out, yet his aggressive drives to the basket saved the day for a Farmington squad missing its leading scorer, Collin Chandler, who fouled out in the fourth quarter. "I was just trying to make it exciting. I love an overtime state game," Covington said. "When I went to the line the second time, I knew it would go in. "I had a rough start at the beginning. Coach had faith in me at the end to take over and get my shots. I played with confidence because I’ve been working my whole for one of those moments." Provo got popped in the mouth early in the game, falling into an 11-2 hole, and again in the third quarter, when the Phoenix stretched their lead to 14. The Bulldogs were not fazed, though. They survived every run and responded with one of their own — thanks to outstanding play from Gabe Gutierrez and Juan Camargo, Provo tied the game and almost won.

.@FHSPHXATHLETICS holds off Provo, 78-76 in OT. What a game.

Stay with us and @UHSAAinfo all day on https://t.co/bKoCp6TAQ3. pic.twitter.com/QDpfnzqRU9
— KSL.com Sports (@KSLcomSports) February 25, 2020

Camargo, a 6-foot-7 center, was able to notch 20 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, including a couple of dunks. He also dominated the boards, grabbing 15 by game’s end, and gave himself several second-chance opportunities. "I wish when we can get up nine to start the fourth that we can help my blood pressure and keep the lead, but that’s what the state tournament is about," Farmington head coach Kasey Walkenhurst said. "We didn’t play particularly well, Provo was awesome today. Obviously, they don’t score a lot of points, but we sure let them tonight." Lincoln Prager had a penchant for hitting timely shots to keep the Bulldogs in the thick of things throughout the first half. Prager drilled a buzzer-beating half-court shot at the end of the first quarter to pull the Bulldogs within three; then, he snagged a rebound under the basket as the final second of the first half was ticking away and tossed a reverse layup off the glass as the buzzer sounded. Provo headed to halftime trailing the Phoenix 34-33. The road will not get easier for Farmington, who after winning, will advance to face No. 4 Timpview Thursday at 7 p.m. MST at the Huntsman Center. — Ty Bianucci, KSL.com

Tuesday, 11:04am

Quarterfinal: Timpview uses strong 2nd half to overwhelm Murray

SALT LAKE CITY — It took several minutes for either team to score, but once Timpview made the first bucket of the game, it was all over as the Thunderbirds smothered the Murray Spartans 53-32 Tuesday in the 5A boys state basketball tournament at the Huntsman Center. Timpview used a 32-point second half to overwhelm the Spartans and claim a berth to the semifinal round. The Thunderbirds’ Yaw Reneer and Coleman Ford, who both finished with 12 points, led a balanced scoring attack for Timpview in the morning win. Jake Wahlin added 10 points and 11 rebounds to round out the team’s top scorers. Timpview opened up the game with an early 9-point lead but went cold in the second quarter. The Thunderbirds only scored 6 points to end the half to hold on to a small lead. Murray failed to score in the quarter until three minutes left in the half, but reeled off a 9-2 run to close out the half. But that was the last time the Spartans kept it close as the Thunderbirds came out of the halftime break in dominating fashion to trump the No. 21-seeded Murray. The Thunderbirds managed a 15-point third quarter and 17-point fourth quarter to silence any hopes of a late run. Murray played a full roster, but didn’t have a player score in double digits in the quarterfinal game. Jacob Pollei, who finished with 8 points and three rebounds, led the team in scoring. With a win, Timpview advanced to the semifinal round and will play the winner of the Farmington-Provo game. The semifinal game will be played at the Huntsman Center on Thursday at 7 p.m. MST. — Josh Furlong, KSL.com

5A boys state tourney: Springville overturns 15-point deficit to set up championship with Timpview

By KSL.com Sports | Updated - Feb. 27, 2020 at 11:26 p.m. | Posted - Feb. 27, 2020 at 11:07 p.m.

Semifinal: Visentin, Red Devils overturn 15-point second-half deficit to top Wildcats, 71-69

Semifinal: Santiago's 'ugly' floater lifts Timpview over Farmington at buzzer

Quarterfinal: Defense optional as Woods Cross pulls away in victory over Springville

Quarterfinal: Bountiful's Whaley scores 31, but Springville comes away with the win

Quarterfinal: Farmington survives Provo in overtime, advances to semifinal

Quarterfinal: Timpview uses strong 2nd half to overwhelm Murray

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5A boys state tourney: Springville overturns 15-point deficit to set up championship with Timpview

By KSL.com Sports | Updated - Feb. 27, 2020 at 11:26 p.m. | Posted - Feb. 27, 2020 at 11:07 p.m.

Semifinal: Visentin, Red Devils overturn 15-point second-half deficit to top Wildcats, 71-69

Semifinal: Santiago's 'ugly' floater lifts Timpview over Farmington at buzzer

Quarterfinal: Defense optional as Woods Cross pulls away in victory over Springville

Quarterfinal: Bountiful's Whaley scores 31, but Springville comes away with the win

Quarterfinal: Farmington survives Provo in overtime, advances to semifinal

Quarterfinal: Timpview uses strong 2nd half to overwhelm Murray

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