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Westlake boys basketball edges Lehi in 2OT thriller

By Jared Lloyd - | Dec 6, 2022
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Westlake senior Bodie Capell goes up for a shot during the non-region game against Lehi in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
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Lehi junior Cooper Lewis goes up for a shot during the non-region game against Westlake in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
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Westlake senior Maverick McManus goes up for a shot during the non-region game against Lehi in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
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Lehi junior Cooper Lewis goes up for a shot during the non-region game against Westlake in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
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Westlake senior Tate Merrill goes up for a layup during the non-region game against Lehi in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
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Lehi junior Grayson Brousseau shoots a 3-pointer during the non-region game against Westlake in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
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Westlake junior Jace Adams shoots a 3-pointer during the non-region game against Lehi in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
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Lehi senior Braxton Hawkins goes up for a shot during the non-region game against Westlake in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
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Westlake senior Bodie Capell attacks the basket during the non-region game against Lehi in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
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Lehi senior Spencer Anderson dribbles toward the basket during the non-region game against Westlake in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
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Westlake students cheer on their team during the non-region game against Lehi in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.
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Lehi head coach Quincy Lewis directs his team during the non-region game against Westlake in Saratoga Springs on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022.

From the end of the fourth quarter through most of the two overtime periods, the free throw shooting of the Westlake boys basketball team had been far too inconsistent.

Key misses had allowed the visitors from Lehi to rally each time, forcing the extra basketball in Friday night’s non-region thriller in Saratoga Springs.

The Thunder had made just 15-of-24 foul shots in the final 15-and-a-half minutes of game time, so when Westlake senior Bodie Capell was fouled with 3.1 seconds to go and his team clinging to a one-point lead, it was understandable if there were some anxiety in the Thunder faithful.

This time, however, the shots finally went in.

Capell hit both free throws, meaning — barring something truly bizarre — the best the Pioneers could do in the final seconds was tie.

It almost happened too, as Lehi threw a baseball pass that ricocheted around before getting scooped up by Pioneer junior Cooper Lewis, who launched a long 3-pointer right before the buzzer.

As players from both teams watched in a frozen moment, it sailed toward the hoop but drifted just slightly to the left. It bounced off the rim and out, allowing Westlake to finally celebrate the 76-73 2OT victory.

The Pioneers had a chance to take the lead with 15 seconds to in regulation with the score tied at 55-55, but two free throws bounced out.

At the other end, Lewis had a chance to win it for the Pioneers but was herded deep toward the baseline by the swarming Thunder defense and his desperate attempt hit the side of the backboard.

That sent the game to the first overtime, where the home team scored four quick points to go in front.

But Lehi came back and a 3-pointer by Pioneer senior Preston Varner gave the visitors the 62-61 lead.

Westlake got a 1-of-2 foul shots and then a clutch jumper in the lane from junior Jace Adams to swing the score in favor of the Thunder, but Lewis drained two clutch free throws of his own with 5.7 seconds left to tie things up. The desperation heave by Westlake was short, forcing four more minutes of basketball.

Again the Thunder seized the momentum early as senior Maverick McManus won his third jump ball of the game and Westlake scored on its first two possessions.

Although Lewis kept Lehi just close enough to be dangerous with a couple of jump shots, the Thunder got a 3-pointer from Adams to make it a two-possession game.

But Westlake could only get two of their four shots from the charity stripe to drop in the final minute and Lewis hit a big 3-pointer to cut the Thunder lead to a single point.

That set up the drama of Capell’s big foul shots and the final miss.

With the heart-stopping win, Westlake stayed unbeaten on the young season (4-0) while the Pioneers suffered their first loss (2-1).

The Thunder next play at Layton on Friday at 7 p.m. while Lehi faces Oak Cliff Faith Family Academy (a Texas team) in a tournament on the same evening at 7:15 p.m.

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