Westlake boys basketball beats Cedar Valley on last-second shot
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- Westlake players celebrate after winning the non-region game against Cedar Valley in Eagle Mountain on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
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- Westlake sophomore Malik Sika scores a layup during the non-region game against Cedar Valley in Eagle Mountain on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
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- Westlake senior Symon Sua goes up for a layup during the non-region game against Cedar Valley in Eagle Mountain on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
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- Westlake sophomore Malik Sika drives into the lane during the non-region game against Cedar Valley in Eagle Mountain on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
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- Cedar Valley players celebrate a good play during the non-region game against Westlake in Eagle Mountain on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
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- Cedar Valley senior Obed Borruel drives to the basket during the non-region game against Westlake in Eagle Mountain on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024.
The Westlake boys basketball team found themselves down eight midway through the fourth quarter at Cedar Valley on Tuesday night, but refused to quit.
Instead, the Thunder came roaring back behind clutch plays on offense and defense.
Westlake scored nine of the next 10 points to tie the game at 53-53, then forced an Aviator turnover with under 20 seconds to go.
The Thunder executed their play perfectly, getting a flawless backdoor pass by senior Beckam Featherstone to junior Greydin Anderson for a layup to give Westlake the lead. Cedar Valley couldn’t get a shot off and the Thunder secured the 55-53 win.
“They made me look good because that play was what we drew up,” Westlake head coach Nate Carling said. “We scored on it in the first half, so we thought we’d try it again. Fortunately it all worked out.”
Carling gave the Aviators credit for how they played and said the Thunder felt fortunate to escape with the win.
“They really came to play,” Carling said. “I know things haven’t gone their way so far, but we knew coming it that it would be a dogfight. I thought their kids played extremely hard. Our guys were just resilient. We made a lot of mistake, but to their credit they made plays on the defensive end late.”
Westlake (6-3) heads home to welcome West Jordan to Saratoga Springs on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., while Cedar Valley (1-5) will try to end its losing streak when it takes on Cyprus in Eagle Mountain on Friday at 7 p.m.
