Jasperson shoots Payson past Juab
Payson and Juab players wrestle for control of the ball during the boys basketball game at Payson High School against Juab High School on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. Payson defeated Juab High School 62-53. SAMMY JO HESTER, The Daily Herald
Payson's Dallin Jasperson passes the ball around a Juab defender on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. Payson defeated Juab High School 62-53. SAMMY JO HESTER, The Daily Herald
Payson's Jayden Hartle protects the ball as Juab's Nolan Nielsen defends during the boys basketball game at Payson High School against Juab High School on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. Payson defeated Juab High School 62-53. SAMMY JO HESTER, The Daily Herald
Juab's Nick Robins reacts after a play during the boys basketball game at Payson High School against Juab High School on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. Payson defeated Juab High School 62-53. SAMMY JO HESTER, The Daily Herald
Payson fans celebrate after the boys basketball game at Payson High School against Juab High School on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. Payson defeated Juab High School 62-53. SAMMY JO HESTER, The Daily Herald
Payson fans join in celebration after a 3-point goal during the boys basketball game at Payson High School against Juab High School on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015. Payson defeated Juab High School 62-53. SAMMY JO HESTER, The Daily Herald
PAYSON — After giving up a season-high 35 points in the first half, it became clear that Payson was going to have a hard time cooling off Juab, so there was only one thing left to do – outscore the Wasps.
And that’s something Dallin Jasperson and Bryce Wiberg were more than happy to do.
Jasperson scored 21 points and Wiberg added 16 as Payson outscored Juab on 62-53 Friday night.
As a team, Payson knocked down 11 3-pointers, and all that offense helped the Lions hold onto first place in Region 12 with a 5-0 record. Juab fell to 2-3.
“Jasperson and Wiberg both had outstanding games from behind the arc. They (Juab) came to play and that packed us in the first half,” said Payson coach Dan Lunt. “It was fun. We need some games like that so hopefully we can learn from this.”
Juab’s Nick Robins scored with 3:22 left in the third quarter to give the Wasps a 41-36, but that’s when Payson’s defense found its legs and the Lions gave up just two points in the rest of the quarter.
Meanwhile, Wiberg went to work. He made two free throws and then popped his fourth 3-pointer of the game. Jasperson then made three free throws to put Payson on top before Robins scored to cut the lead to 43-42.
The Lions finally put the game away when Jasperson drove the lane and fed Zackery Steele for a layup, then made his fifth 3-pointer of the night to push the lead to 56-50 with 2:55 left in the game. Kolten Mortensen put the finishing touches on an impressive night when he made a 3-pointer. Mortensen had 14 points 14 rebounds.
“Juab came focused and they came ready to play,” Lunt said. “They put us on our heels. We had to regroup at half time and make some adjustments and the kids did a great job.”
Juab led 21-19 at the end of the first quarter and promptly opened up its largest lead of the game with a 6-0 to start the second quarter, but Dallin Rowley answered with a layup to start a 10-0 Payson run that was capped off by 3-pointers from Jasperson and Wiberg.
The Wasps heated up again to regain the lead at the half. Kyler Nielsen made two free throws and Robins cashed in a three-point play to give Juab a 35-34 lead at intermission. But in the second half it proved to be much more difficult to score. Robins led Juab with 20 points and Dillon Douglas had 10.
JUAB (53): Douglas 10, Nielsen 9, Downey 9, Robins 20, Clark 3. Totals 19 10-19 53.
PAYSON (62): Wiberg 16, Steele 4, Jasperson 21, Hartle 5, Mortensen 14, Rowley 2. Totals 18 15-23 63
Juab;21;14;8;10;–;53
Payson;19;15;10;18;–;62
3-point goals: Juab 5 (Douglas 2, Nielsen 2, Robins), Payson 11 (Jasperson 5, Wiberg 4, Mortensen 2).