For most of the regulations on Wednesday night the Skyline Eagles were looking for a spark in their first round of the 5A state tournament.
Against Lehi and coach Quincy Lewis, who won five state championships at Lon-Peak High and earned another one last season in his first year with the Pioneers, the result looked sad when leading three-pointer Eagles striker Colton Smith fouled out on last minutes.
But Peter Broadbent hit 20 feet to force overtime, and Georgia Golesis and Kai Tulsian then defeated the long jumpers when Skyline won 60-54 in the first round game at Skyline Gym.
The win improved the Eagles ’record to 12-9 and, combined with Olympus’ win over East, which occupies the first nets, means the two rivals next door will meet for the third time this season on Friday.
It also ended a stretch of four defeats in five games for crew coach Cory Plant, who was able to celebrate the victory at home. At the end of this year it is planned to demolish the 60-year-old gym of the school and replace it with a new one.
“I doubt the kids (Skyline) even understand that,” Plant said. “It was a great way out and we want to keep going.
“We moved the ball and hit back when we needed to hit them back. We didn’t want to go into overtime, but the guys didn’t rush. “
-
Landon Shaw of Skyline will benefit from Spencer Anderson of Lehi when they play in the first round at Utah High School 5A on Skyline in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Forgo Golezis of Skyline rises high to strike with Cooper Lewis of Lehi, defending while Skyline and Lehi play in High School 5A’s first round of Skyline promotions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in a while.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Forgo Golesis of Skyline stands for the hoop with Preston Warner of Lehi, defending in the first round at Utah High School 5A on Skyline in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Peter Broadbent of Skyline and Preston Warner of Lehi fight for the ball when they play in the first round at Utah High School 5A on Skyline in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Coltan Smith of Skyline celebrates how he and Lehi play in the first round of 5A Utah High School on Skyline in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Skyline and Lehi play at Utah High School 5A in the first round of Skyline competitions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Skyline and Lehi play at Utah High School 5A in the first round of Skyline competitions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Skyline and Lehi play at Utah High School 5A in the first round of Skyline competitions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Skyline and Lehi play at Utah High School 5A in the first round of Skyline competitions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Skyline and Lehi play at Utah High School 5A in the first round of Skyline competitions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Skyline and Lehi play at Utah High School 5A in the first round of Skyline competitions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Skyline and Lehi play at Utah High School 5A in the first round of Skyline competitions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Skyline and Lehi play at Utah High School 5A in the first round of Skyline competitions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Skyline and Lehi play at Utah High School 5A in the first round of Skyline competitions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Skyline and Lehi play at Utah High School 5A in the first round of Skyline competitions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Skyline and Lehi play at Utah High School 5A in the first round of Skyline competitions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Skyline and Lehi play at Utah High School 5A in the first round of Skyline competitions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Skyline and Lehi play at Utah High School 5A in the first round of Skyline competitions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
-
Skyline and Lehi play at Utah High School 5A in the first round of Skyline competitions in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, February 23, 2022. Skyline won 60-54 in overtime.
Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News
The game between № 16 and № 17 was close all the time until Golezis took command of the attack in the second half, and Skyline increased the lead to eight points, thanks to his combination of driving and team confidence passes that led to open throws – some even far beyond the three-point band.
Skyline made 7 of 12 three-pointers in the second half. Smith made his only attempt, but the key moment in the game was a stupid fifth foul while trying to protect sophomore Lehi Cooper Lewis, and this seemed to temporarily crush his teammates.
Lewis, who scored 13 of his game points – 22 points in the second half, calmly made the following free throws. The Pioneers then stole the ball in possession in a row and seemed to be in control when Spencer Anderson made two charitable strikes and Lewis followed while there was a foul.
Skyline rose from the dead, however, on Broadbent’s last three-pointer just a few feet from the Skyline bench, which tied the game 52-52 57 seconds before the end. Lehi then held on to the ball, but when Lewis ’3-point failed to buzz, the Eagles had another chance.
Plant said the difference was the Eagles’ defense in the second half near the basket, which limited the presence of central Lech 6 feet 9, Nixon Rafner, and forced the Pioneers to be more of a team on the perimeter. In the second half, Lehi was 0 for 7 from a long distance and could not connect in overtime, when they especially needed points.