Wasatch tops Springville in boys hoops
Wasatch senior center Trevin Dorius (33) takes the ball to the hoop during a Springville home basketball game against Wasatch on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 in Springville. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Wasatch's Garrett Watts (24) and Garrett Davis (2) reach for a rebound during a game against Springville in Springville on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 in Springville. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Wasatch senior guard Garrett Davis (2) takes the ball to the hoop during a Springville home basketball game against Wasatch on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 in Springville. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Wasatch senior guard Jace Griffeth (21) gets a piece of the ball as he defends Springville's Ben Schreiner (1) during a Springville home basketball game against Wasatch on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 in Springville. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Springville junior guard Bennett Hullinger (5) is surrounded by defenders during a Springville home basketball game against Wasatch on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 in Springville. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
The Wasatch boys bench celebrates during a Springville home basketball game against Wasatch on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 in Springville. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Springville boys students put on a 'special' performance during halftime for senior night during a Springville home basketball game against Wasatch on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 in Springville. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
Springville boys students put on a 'special' performance during halftime for senior night during a Springville home basketball game against Wasatch on Friday, Feb. 19, 2016 in Springville. DOMINIC VALENTE, Daily Herald
SPRINGVILLE – The Wasatch boys basketball team used some easy transition baskets and made enough free throws down the stretch to hold off a late surge by Springville and close out the 73-60 Region 8 victory in a rowdy gym.
The Red Devils trailed the entire contest, but they never quit playing hard. Down by as much as 21 in the third quarter, they reduced the deficit to 10 points twice in the final four clock minutes but weren’t able to pull any closer.
Junior guard Elias Ballstaedt canned all three of his team’s treys and finished with 21 points despite spending considerable time on the bench in foul trouble.
Senior forward Garrett Davis added 19 points and senior center Trevin Dorius scored 13, with both of them having a great night on the glass as well.
“What a great environment for a high school game,” said Wasatch coach Jason Long. “I tell my kids to try to enjoy this, even those who are going to play in college.
“Unless they go to Duke or somewhere like that, they’ll never have a chance to experience this again,” he said.
The coach had plenty of praise for his scrappy opponent.
“Those kids have pretty much been undersized against every team, but they don’t play like it,” the coach said.
“They’re hard to guard because of their quickness and they spread their offense out,” Long continued. “I told my kids they will miss some of their shots and then we have to get the rebounds to limit their chances.”
The Wasps were largely successful in doing that, but both squads hustled hard after the ball and the players spent a lot of time on the floor. At times the action resembled a football game.
Wasatch was in deep foul trouble in the fourth quarter but managed to play through it because of the depth of the bench.
“That’s unusual for us, to have that many fouls,” the coach said. “Fortunately, we were able to use a lot of guys. We got a little sloppy with our defense because of their quickness.
“Coach (Justin) Snell has done a great job,” Long went on. “For a first-year head coach, I’m super-impressed with him and his players.”
Sophomore guard Ben Schreiner had 14 points and junior guard Josh Elison scored 13 to lead Springville.
The Devils (6-11, 4-7) will complete the regular season at Spanish Fork (6-15, 3-8), while the Wasps (13-9, 8-3) welcome Payson (12-9, 7-4). Both games are set for Tuesday at 7 p.m.
Tip-ins: The senior cheerleaders and players were all honored on Senior Night. The halftime entertainment included a lengthy and hilarious dance routine performed by male students at the school in tribute to the drill team. The big crowd was loud and supportive all evening for both programs. At one point, a Springville student returning the ball to the court actually made a basket from the stands and got a great reaction from the fans.
WASATCH (73)
Davis 19, Mahoney 8, Ballstaedt 21, Bangerter 6, Watts 2, Laursen 2, Henderson 2, Dorius 13. Totals 26 18-25 73.
SPRINGVILLE (60)
Schreiner 14, Mortensen 1, Elison 13, J. Hullinger 7, B. Hullinger 9, Sumsion 4, Poulsen 6, Brotherson 6. Totals 18 15-23 60.
Wasatch;19;13;16;25;–;73
Springville;8;7;17;28;–;60
3 point goals: Wasatch 3 (Ballstaedt 3); Springville 9 (Schreiner 2, J. Hullinger 2, B. Hullinger 2, Poulsen 2, Ellison).