Payson girls basketball secures Region 8 title with win at Mountain View
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- Payson senior forward Oaklie Jackman goes up for a layup during the Region 8 game against Mountain View in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Payson senior guard Cheznie Roundy goes up for a layup during the Region 8 game against Mountain View in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Mountain View junior forward Lia Suguturaga shoots a shot during the Region 8 game against Payson in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Payson junior forward Quincey Mathews chases a loose ball during the Region 8 game against Mountain View in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Mountain View junior guard Halle Richards shoots a shot during the Region 8 game against Payson in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Payson junior guard Avery Roundy goes up for a shot during the Region 8 game against Mountain View in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Mountain View sophomore guard Jaycee Carlson has her shot blocked during the Region 8 game against Payson in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Payson senior forward Oaklie Jackman shoots a shot during the Region 8 game against Mountain View in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Mountain View sophomore guard Sienna Bramble drives to the basket during the Region 8 game against Payson in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Payson sophomore guard Emmy Hales goes up for a shot during the Region 8 game against Mountain View in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Mountain View sophomore guard Jaycee Carlson watches her shot during the Region 8 game against Payson in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Payson junior forward Quincey Mathews looks to pass the ball during the Region 8 game against Mountain View in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Payson head coach Chad Bahr directs his team during the Region 8 game against Mountain View in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Mountain View head coach Jessica Millgate directs her team during the Region 8 game against Payson in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Mountain View sophomore guard Bryce Mella shoots a shotduring the Region 8 game against Payson in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Payson senior Kamika Wesley goes up for a layup during the Region 8 game against Mountain View in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Mountain View sophomore guard Simeon Suguturaga goes up for a shot during the Region 8 game against Payson in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
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- Payson senior Braxton Shirley drives to the basket during the Region 8 game against Mountain View in Orem on Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024.
The last time the Payson girls basketball team won a region title, it was just one part of a magical moment in school history.
The 2004-05 season was the pinnacle of Lion hoops as Payson went 24-1, tied Timpview with identical 9-1 Region 7 records, then beat the Thunderbirds, 57-52, to win the 4A state championship.
It took 19 years for the Lions to win other region crown — but that drought is now over.
Payson faced what on paper was its biggest test in Region 8 as they went to Orem to play Mountain View. The Lions had defeated the Bruins, 48-33, in Payson but it was a tough game.
This time, however, it was virtually all Payson as the Lions built an enormous halftime lead and rolled to the 62-24 win.
“It was awesome,” Payson senior forward Oaklie Jackman said. “We definitely knew we needed to be ready because the first time we played it definitely was close. I just knew that I needed to keep my head in it and do my best.”
Lion head coach Chad Bahr said it was amazing to see his team lock in like it did.
“This group is one of the most competitive groups I’ve ever had,” Bahr said. “They will guard you. And if you score on them, it upsets them personally. When they’re engaged, they are playing great defense and moving the ball on offense, They can make shots and they can finish up the rim with contact. That’s such a big deal in girls basketball.”
The game was tied at 4-4 when the Payson defense took over, holding a young-but-talented Mountain View squad to just three points for most of the rest of the first half.
The Lions took advantage to go on a 31-3 run to seize control and never looked back.
“Our goal defensively is to create chaos for the other team,” Bahr said. “If they’re undisciplined at all, we’re going to take advantage of that. So we’ll go on these little runs where, I’ll look and it’ll be tight. Next thing I know, we’re up by 10 , then by 15 and we’ll just keep putting it on.”
It was the 10th straight win for Payson, which has dominated the competition in recent weeks.
“We always lock in, whether we’re down by a bunch or up by a bunch,” Jackman said. “You can never let up. We just have a good mindset.”
She believes that the reason for the Lion mental toughness is their determination to be great.
“I think we know that we have a lot of potential and we know that in order to reach our potential we have to stay locked in,” Jackman said.
She recalled the game against Provo when the Bulldogs were able to rally after being down big, but Payson responded.
“I just love how my team can hold it together and push through the hard times,” Jackman said.
Bahr noted that the Lions played a tough preseason schedule and ended up at 5-7, but they did that intentionally to be ready for region and state.
“We had a really successful season last year but we weren’t ready for the playoffs,” Bahr said. “We had a great offseason and we wanted to play these big schools because we feel like we can beat them. We wanted to build for the playoffs. It’s exciting.”
He knows that his squad will need to elevate its game even more to be ready for the best 4A teams in the state. Payson could be at a disadvantage as its regular season ends earlier than most and it might have a first-round bye, depending on the seeding.
“Hopefully the preseason prepared us for that,” Bahr said. “It’s on the coaching staff to get us ready for that. It will be up to us to dial it back in.”
The Lions aren’t the only team that has their sights set high. Things didn’t go Mountain View’s way on Tuesday but Bruin head coach Jessica Millgate knows her young squad has tremendous potential.
“We have such a talented young group of girls and we have come so far,” Millgate said. “During the season they’ve really figured out where they need to be and have played really tough.
“This last game was just one of those games where we weren’t ready to battle and Payson was. They played a great game but we’re very excited for the future.”
She believes that as her athletes get more experience, they’ll build the resilience and confidence they need to become the team they are capable of being.
“It’s about the mental game,” Millgate said. “They need to be more confident in themselves and and not doubt themselves. If they can continue to be competent and continue to take the shots that I know that they can make, I think that’s the key for them.”
Payson (14-7) now heads home to host Uintah to close out the regular season on Friday, while Mountain View (8-12) welcomes Provo to Orem on the same evening.
Both games are scheduled to begin at 5:15 p.m.
Mountain View boys basketball holds off Payson
It was another thrilling conclusion to a Region 8 boys basketball game Tuesday night in Orem as the Bruins needed every big play they could get to keep the Lions at bay and get the 58-55 win.
Payson led 24-23 at halftime but Mountain View used a big third quarter to go in front. The visitors refused to go away and despite some big shots from Bruin sophomore Bryce Mella, a trey by Lion senior Kamika Wesley made it a two-point game in the final minutes.
Payson got a couple of chances to tie or take the lead, but the Mountain View defense stood tall.
The Bruins got a critical offensive rebound with under 30 seconds left, forcing the Lions to foul. Mountain View sophomore Simeon Suguturaga calmly made both shots to give the Bruins a four-point lead.
Payson answered with a clutch 3-pointer from junior Legend Reynoso with 10 seconds left and although Mountain View senior Ryan Lewis made both ensuing foul shots, the Lions had 7.4 seconds to hope for a miracle.
The last shot came up short and the Bruins had the exciting victory.
Mountain View will look to avenge an earlier loss when it hosts Provo to finish the regular season on Friday, while Payson will take on Uintah in Payson on the same evening.
Both games are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
