State finals notes: Lehi boys basketball planned to beat Corner Canyon in 6A championship
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- Lehi boys basketball players celebrate after winning the 6A championship game against Corner Canyon at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi boys basketball coach Quincy Lewis, center, poses for photos with the 6A state championship trophy after beating Corner Canyon at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi’s Cooper Lewis,right, hugs his father, head coach Quincy Lewis, after winning the 6A boys basketball state championship at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi’s Grayson Brousseau cuts down the net after the Pioneers defeated Corner Canyon for the 6A boys basketball state championship at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players celebrate after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players pose for a celebration photo after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi boys basketball players celebrate after winning the 6A championship game against Corner Canyon at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- The Lehi boys basketball team celebrates after winning the Class 6A state championship against Corner Canyon at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi’s Easton Hawkins (2) celebrates after winning the Class 6A state championship against Corner Canyon at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi boys basketball coach Quincy Lewis encourages his team during the 6A state championship game against Corner Canyon at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi’s Cooper Lewis, left, poses for photos with his father, head coach Quincy Lewis, after winning the 6A boys basketball state championship at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi boys basketball coach Quincy Lewis cuts down the net after the Pioneers defeated Corner Canyon for the 6A state championship at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Grayson Brousseau holds the 6A boys basketball state championship trophy with his teammates after defeated Corner Canyon at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Players on the Lehi bench celebrate a 3-pointer during the 6A boys basketball state championship game against Corner Canyon at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi boys basketball coach Quincy Lewis hugs his daughters after winning the 6A boys basketball state championship at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi’s Grayson Brousseau hugs his mother after the Pioneers defeated Corner Canyon for the 6A boys basketball state championship at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi players celebrate winning the 6A boys basketball state championship at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- The Lehi boys basketball team celebrates winning the 6A state championship at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi boys basketball coach Quincy Lewis celebrates winning the 6A state championship at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- The Lehi boys basketball team celebrates after winning the Class 6A state championship against Corner Canyon at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- The Lehi boys basketball team celebrates after winning the Class 6A state championship against Corner Canyon at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi’s Cooper Lewis launches a 3-pointer against Corner Canyon during the 6A boys basketball state title game at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi’s Kaleb Moore takes a 3-pointer against Corner Canyon in the 6A boys basketball state championship game at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi’s Cooper Lewis (in white) evades the defense of Corner Canyon’s Derrell Desire during the 6A boys basketball state championship game at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi students react during the 6A boys basketball state championship game against Corner Canyon at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi’s Grayson Brousseau (33) drives around a screen against Corner Canyon during the 6A boys basketball state championship game at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi students react during the 6A boys basketball state championship game against Corner Canyon at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi’s Easton Hawkins (2) takes a jump shot over Corner Canyon’s Derrell Desire during the 6A boys basketball state championship game at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi’s Cooper Lewis gathers himself for a shot against Corner Canyon during the 6A boys basketball state championship game at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lehi’s Easton Hawkins (2) dunks the ball during the 6A boys basketball state championship game at the Huntsman Center on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak senior Sarah Bartholomew cuts down the net after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak junior Katy Lawrence cuts down the net after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players pose for a celebration photo after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players pose for a celebration photo after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players celebrate after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players celebrate after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak senior Shawnee Nordstrom gets a hug after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players celebrate after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak fans celebrate a made 3-pointer during the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak fans celebrate a good play during the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak senior Kaylee Rich (left) and sophomore Kennedy Woolston (right) battle for a loose ball during the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players contest a shot during the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players celebrate a made 3-pointer during the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak head coach Nancy Warner directs her team during the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak senior Shawnee Nordstrom goes up for a layup during the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak senior Shawnee Nordstrom drives to the basket during the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- The Lone Peak bench watches a shot go up during the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players celebrate after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players celebrate after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players celebrate after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players celebrate after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players celebrate after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players celebrate after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players pose for a celebration photo after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players pose for a celebration photo after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players pose for a celebration photo after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak head coach Nancy Warner cuts down the net after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players cheer on head coach Nancy Warner as she cuts down the net after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players pose for a celebration photo after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
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- Lone Peak players pose for a celebration photo after winning the 6A championship game against Copper Hills at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, March 1, 2024.
One of the memorable traditions for state-championship-winning basketball teams comes after the trophy is awarded and the net is cut down.
When the players return to the locker room, they gather cups, bottles and coolers, then anxiously await the return of the head coach. When she or he steps in, the water flies all over as part of a wild, drenching celebration.
The locker room of the Lehi boys locker room was no exception Friday night after the Pioneers put on an impressive show in defeating Corner Canyon, 78-67, to win the 6A title.
The ecstatic Lehi players had a blast dousing Pioneer head coach Quincy Lewis, who became the Utah high school coach with the most titles as he won his ninth crown.
After they finally ran out of water, the Lehi players settled down as Lewis stepped to the middle of the puddle that covered the floor.
He told his guys that he had learned over the years that the worst part of post-championship experience was riding home on the bus with soaking-wet socks.
As the athletes and coaches laughed, he went to where his coat hung in his locker and retrieved something.
He then stepped back to hold the item high over his head: A pair of fresh socks.
“I never doubted we would win!” he told the Pioneers, who roared in appreciation.
“I wanted them to know that I believed,” Lewis said later. “You can say that as a coach at practices but I wanted them to know. And that was my way of doing it.”
Lehi senior Cooper Lewis — Quincy Lewis’s son — said being able to reward his coach/Dad’s confidence with the title was an amazing feeling.
“It’s great to know when you have a coach that cares so much,” Cooper Lewis said. “He knew we were going to win it. That’s remarkable because he just cares so much about us. He gives us his best effort day in and day out, and it’s very special. I’m just fortunate enough to play for him with these guys, this great team.”
Pioneer senior Gabe Cowan said that moment in the locker room was a side of Quincy Lewis he doesn’t show often.
“Honestly, I’ve never seen Coach Lewis in that type of mood,” Cowan said. “He’s always locked in. Here and there he’ll make a joke but he’s not like any other person. He’s always ready. He’s always locked in.
“So when I saw that, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, Coach! There you go!’ You see he’s like all of us. He’s been there so many times that he knows exactly how to get us ready.”
To get Lehi ready to face a team with the size, athleticism and talent of the Chargers, Quincy Lewis knew he had to have every Pioneer buy in and give everything they had.
“We really came out with a mentality that we were going to defend,” the Lehi head coach said. “We saw how well they played against Layton (in the semifinal). We just felt like we just couldn’t let that kind of thing happen. We talked about getting every loose ball. We had to have everybody go to the boards and block out. In a lot of ways, we had to make the game simple, do the things you worked on the first day of practice.”
So while Cooper Lewis (30 points) and junior Easton Hawkins (23 points) took care of the majority of the scoring, the credit for beating the Chargers belongs to every Lehi player who did their jobs.
“Where do you start with all of them?” Quincy Lewis said. “You look at senior Bryson Bromley, who scored two points and had two assists, but his defense, his hustle and his team-first attitude just makes a huge difference on the floor.
“Then you look at seniors Kaleb Moore and Gabe (Cowan), who did a wonderful job on Corner Canyon senior Brody Kozlowski. He shot seven total shots. Then you’ve got seniors Grayson Brousseau and Cy Hansen who came in. Their big guy wound up getting points, but it was hard. That was a hard 20 that he got.”
The camaraderie and unity that the Pioneers developed likely was the biggest reason why they ended up as champs.
“This is a really special group,” Bromley said. “We’re really close on the court and really close off the court. That just really helps us more. When things get tough, we can rely on each other. We really, really have each other’s back.”
Bromley allowed the emotion he felt so strongly to show on his face as he celebrated after the final whistle blew.
“We had ups and downs this season, but we just stayed with our guys,” Bromley said. “It was worth it. In the end, we really came together.”
Passing a legend
Quincy Lewis got to hoist the first-place trophy for the ninth time in his coaching career, breaking the tie for the top spot in the Utah record books with Provo legend, Craig Drury.
But Drury does still have the edge on Quincy Lewis in number of championships won with the same team. Drury won all eight of his titles while coaching Provo (1985, 1987, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2004,
2007 and 2008).
Quincy Lewis, on the other hand, won seven while coaching at Lone Peak (2005, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014) and has now won twice while coaching Lehi (2021 and 2024).
Trophy collector
Many of the Lone Peak girls basketball players — particularly the seniors — have become accustomed to winning state titles, since the Knights just won their third consecutive crown on Friday when they defeated Copper Hills.
But senior Naia Tanuvasa has the most experience winning championships of any of the athletes.
In addition to her three girls basketball title wins, she also played a big role in getting the Lone Peak girls soccer team the 1-0 win over Layton last October to increase her tally to four for her career.
Coming back strong
Things didn’t go as planned for the Wasatch girls basketball team in the 5A finals on Friday as Bountiful built an early lead and never let the Wasps back into the game.
But Wasatch head coach Audrey Hull has reasons to be optimistic that her team can get another shot in the coming years, since it only had two seniors on the roster (with one that started).
Of course, it won’t be easy. The Wasps beat a surprising Springville team in the semifinals that didn’t have any seniors, while the Redhawks also of a strong core of returners.
Lack of drama
Any high school basketball fans hoping for the thrill of hotly contested title tilts at the Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Friday ended up disappointed.
The average margin of victory in the four 5A and 6A state championship games was 16 points, with none of the games ending up being in doubt in the final minute.
Lehi held off Corner Canyon, 78-67, in the 6A boys championship, Olympus knocked off Alta, 69-61, in the 5A boys title game, Lone Peak crushed Copper Hills, 65-47, in the 6A girls final and Bountiful rolled past Wasatch, 62-35, in the 5A girls championship.
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