T’Bird teamwork: Timpview boys basketball holds off Spanish Fork in season finale
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- Timpview sophomore Callen Tollestrup goes up for a shot during the Region 7 game against Spanish Fork in Provo on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
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- Timpview sophomore Dean Reuckert drives to the basket during the Region 7 game against Spanish Fork in Provo on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork players celebrate a good play during the Region 7 game against Timpview in Provo on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork senior Ethan Beckstead drives to the basket during the Region 7 game against Timpview in Provo on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
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- Timpview senior Nate Davis shoots a shot during the Region 7 game against Spanish Fork in Provo on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork junior Aaron Dunn shoots a shot during the Region 7 game against Timpview in Provo on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
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- Timpview sophomore Braxton Wilkerson dribbles up the court during the Region 7 game against Spanish Fork in Provo on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork senior Austin Weekes shoots a shot during the Region 7 game against Timpview in Provo on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
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- Timpview sophomore Dean Reuckert goes up for a shot during the Region 7 game against Spanish Fork in Provo on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork senior Landon Leatherwood dribbles up the court during the Region 7 game against Timpview in Provo on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork senior Ethan Beckstead drives to the basket during the Region 7 game against Timpview in Provo on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
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- Timpview players watch the action during the Region 7 game against Spanish Fork in Provo on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
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- Timpview head coach Izzy Ingle directs his team during the Region 7 game against Spanish Fork in Provo on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
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- Spanish Fork head coach Garrett Johnson directs his team during the Region 7 game against Timpview in Provo on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024.
It was a short Senior Night celebration for the Timpview boys basketball team before the Thunderbirds hosted Spanish Fork for the regular-season finale Friday night in Provo.
Timpview has just two seniors — Nate Davis and Austin Trail — which indicates just how young the T’Birds are this season.
That fact has certainly played a role in some of the highs and lows of the 2023-24 season, but there are signs that Timpview is figuring things out.
The Thunderbirds were winners of seven of their last eight games prior to facing the Dons, including a huge 50-47 overtime win at Orem on Tuesday. But sometimes a big victory can lead to a letdown in the next contest.
Whether there was any letdown or just an inspired effort by the visitors, Spanish Fork refused to let Timpview have things all their way.
The Dons battled throughout and were within striking distance down the stretch, but simply couldn’t make enough plays to get the upset as the Thunderbirds knocked off Spanish Fork, 65-60.
The Dons actually led for much of the first half and were up 23-21 early in the second quarter after a 3-pointer by sophomore Gage Christensen.
The home team, however, closed on an 8-4 run to head to the locker room with a slim 29-27 lead.
Timpview didn’t allow Spanish Fork to regain the lead in the second half but it was close. Another Don trey from Christensen late in the third made the T’Bird lead a single point at 46-45.
That was when Timpview got the run it had been looking for, scoring eight straight (four points coming from sophomore Will Openshaw) to get a little more of a cushion.
As they had the whole game, Spanish Fork refused to be cowed and came roaring back. The Dons cut the lead to two and got a defensive stop.
With a chance to tie or go in front, Spanish Fork had a good look at a 3-pointer but it hit hard off the iron.
Both teams had a shot at the long rebound, but Timpview sophomore Callen Tollestrup alertly tipped it up the line. That sparked a crucial T’Bird fast break that sophomore Aisa Galea’i finished off with a layup.
Spanish Fork never got another chance to tie or take the lead, despite staying close until the end.
With the win, Timpview earned at least a tie for the Region 7 title (depending on the outcome of the Orem-Cedar Valley game).
Timpview (17-6) and Spanish Fork (4-19) now await Saturday’s final 5A RPI standings and playoff bracket reveal to find out who they will face in the upcoming state tournament.
Those details are scheduled to be released at 10 a.m. and can be found at http://UHSAA.org.
Timpview girls basketball holds off Spanish Fork
The Thunderbirds — aka the Cardiac T’Birds — once again needed to make a big play late to win but found a way to get the job done as Timpview defeated Spanish Fork, 39-35, in Friday’s Region 7 game in Provo.
Timpview led 28-20 midway through the third quarter but the Dons got some big shots to get to within a point. Spanish Fork actually had a point-blank layup that would’ve given the visitors the lead but it bounced off the rim and out.
The Thunderbirds maintained their lead but a big 3-pointer from Don senior guard Kaylie Schaffer cut the Timpview lead to just two with 12.6 seconds left to play.
The home team made 1-of-2 free throws, giving Spanish Fork hope that it could tie the game on a last-second shot and force overtime.
The Dons got the ball to the corner but Timpview senior Rayli Galea’I closed out quickly enough to deflect the shot. The Thunderbirds got the rebound and added a foul shot to close out the scoring.
With Wasatch’s loss at Maple Mountain, Timpview ended up in a tie for first with the Wasps for the Region 7 championship.
As with boys basketball, Timpview (17-5) and Spanish Fork (11-12) will also find out who their next opponents will be when the final 5A RPI standings and playoff bracket are revealed on Saturday. Those details are scheduled to be released at 10 a.m. and can be found at http://UHSAA.org.
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