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Payson junior Gary Bolton takes a shot during the Region 8 game against Timpanogos in Orem on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Payson junior Braden Behrend brings the ball up the field during the Region 8 game against Timpanogos in Orem on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Payson and Timpanogos players battle for the ball during the Region 8 game in Orem on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Payson sophomore Scott Rasmussen takes a shot during the Region 8 game against Timpanogos in Orem on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Timpanogos junior Jameson Jones celebrates after he scored a goal during the Region 8 game against Payson in Orem on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Payson and Timpanogos players battle for the ball during the Region 8 game in Orem on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Payson sophomore Austin Ewell pass the ball during the Region 8 game against Timpanogos in Orem on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Timpanogos freshman Brooks Jensen passes the ball during the Region 8 game against Payson in Orem on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

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Payson and Timpanogos players battle for the ball during the Region 8 game in Orem on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

Jared Lloyd, Daily Herald

❮ ❯

What are the keys to excellent defense in boys lacrosse?

Payson head coach Daniel Sisneros pointed to footwork and taking smart chances as making a big difference.

“Footwork is really the most important thing,” Sisneros said. “As far as taking smart chances, a lot of teams are over risky. We take smart chances before shots and just kind of let our guys make plays when it’s the right time and place.”

He had every reason to be proud of his backline players for doing those things during the key stretch of Thursday’s Region 8 game at Timpanogos.

The Lions ramped things up on that end from midway through the second quarter until late in the third, which allowed the visitors to build a big lead on their way to the 12-7 win.

“That’s what I expect from our guys,” Sisneros said. “I think we have one of the best defenses in 4A. I know we have the best defense in this region. Seeing them put that together is exactly what I expect.”

Payson got off to a good start, scoring the first three goals of the game to seize control.

But Timpanogos junior Jameson Jones got his team going with a pair of quick goals (one in the final seconds of the first period and one in the first 30 seconds of the second).

Each team added a score in the next minute and a half one from Lion junior Gary Bolton after some aggressive defense and one from Timberwolf senior Devin Chang. With the score 4-3, it looked like it was anyone’s game.

But that was when Payson took its defense to another level.

“It came from being just more consistent in our approach to things,” Sisneros said. ” I think that stretch in the middle of the game really built on going back to our fundamentals. We were communicating and working as a group together.”

The Lions didn’t allow another goal for more than 19 minutes of action as they refused to give the home team good opportunities.

The Payson offense took advantage as it got goals from Bolton, sophomore Scott Rasmussen, junior Braden Behrend, senior Ryan Rowley and junior Jared Keel to build a six-goal cushion.

“Not a single one of our guys has played more than four years of lacrosse,” Sisneros said. “So we don’t have an all star. If we want to win games, we can’t rely on one person. It’s a team effort every single time.”

Timpanogos tried to rally, getting another goal from Chang and one from junior Parker Harvey, but the hole was too deep and the Lions added a couple of late scores to secure the win.

The Payson head coach said he feels like his team is making some good progress here midway through the season, but there are still plenty of things to work on.

“It’s all about consistency,” Sisneros said. “It’s playing a complete game. I think we put ourselves in a good position to win region but We’ve still got a ton of work left to do. This is a good first statement but we need more consistency day in and day out. My team knows that. We haven’t seen it yet. We’re going to keep working for that. If we can get consistent and play our best game every day, I think there are few teams that can stop us.”

The Lions (5-3) next play at Spanish Fork on April 16, while Timpanogos (3-5) goes to rival Orem on April 15.

Both games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

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