Things get rough, but Orem prevails for second time over Timpview
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- Players from Timpview and Orem get involved in an altercation during a Region 7 boys basketball game on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
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- Orem’s Chamberlain Burgess (24) goes up for a shot against Timpview in a Region 7 boys basketball game on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
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- Orem’s Chance Dastrup (11) drives around his cousin, Timpview’s Mason Ford, in a Region 8 boys basketball game on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
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- Orem’s Jax Allen (right) is defended by Timpview’s Aisa Galea’i in a Region 7 boys basketball game on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
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- Timpview’s Dean Rueckert (1) calls out a play against Orem in a Region 7 boys basketball game on Friday, Feb, 7, 2025.
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- Timpview’s Aisa Galea’i (left) takes a shot against Orem in a Region 7 boys basketball game on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
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- Timpview fans react during a Region 7 boys basketball game at Orem on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
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- Orem’s Chamberlain Burgess (24) hangs on the rim after a dunk in a Region 7 boys basketball game against Timpview on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
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- Players from Timpview and Orem get involved in an altercation during a Region 7 boys basketball game on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
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- Orem fans react during a Region 7 boys basketball game against Timpview on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
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- Orem’s Chance Dastrup (11) drives to the hoop against Timpview in a Region 7 boys basketball game on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
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- Orem coach Jace Tavita (far center) yells instructions during a Region 7 boys basketball game against Timpview on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
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- Two Orem cheerleaders get emotional while the seniors are honored at halftime of a Region 7 boys basketball game against Timpview on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025.
In the final moments of the Orem-Timpview boys basketball game on Friday, the 1973 song, “Why Can’t We Be Friends?” by War echoed through the standing-room only arena.
There was plenty of evidence why the Tigers and Thunderbirds can’t get along: Four technical fouls were issued and finally a bench-clearing ruckus in the final 11 seconds of the game.
In the end, Orem handled the emotions of the super-charged matchup a little better, pulling together defensively and hitting some big shots late in a 55-50 Region 7 victory Friday.
“It got a little crazy,” Orem’s Chamberlain Burgess said. “It’s a rivalry game, so I think that’s why it was tense.”
With 11 seconds left in the game and Orem leading 52-46, a hard foul by Timpview as it applied a full court press resulted in bodies hitting the floor, which led to the benches clearing while administrators, referees, coaches and police officers attempted to break up the fight.
Eventually, cooler heads prevailed. Both teams were assessed team technical fouls and the Tigers led 55-47 after the exchange of foul shots.
Despite the chippy ending, Orem coach Jace Tavita said his team enjoys the rivalry.
“I think it’s the best atmosphere in Utah high school basketball,” he said. “Whenever we play, usually it’s sold out and there’s nowhere to sit. It’s two good programs just battling it out. We’re fortunate to be on the winning side both times because it could go either way. It’s a great rivalry and it’s great for Utah basketball.”
Both teams came out firing and the shot making was on display in a high-level first quarter that ended with Orem on top 21-19. Burgess made a trio of 3-pointers but Timpview matched the home team shot-for-shot.
Mason Ford made a follow shot to open the second quarter for the T-Birds to tie the score at 21. Timpview took a 27-23 lead with 2:55 to play in the half when Lincoln Holcombe and Ford connected on back-to-back 3-pointers, but T-Birds coach Israel Ingle was issued a technical foul for protesting the foul count (it was 7-1 against his club) and Orem made 3 of 4 from the foul line to finish on top 29-27 at halftime.
Dean Rueckert converted a 3-point play and scored on a drive to put Timpview ahead 34-31 with 4:12 to play in the third quarter, but Orem reeled the visitors back in with five points from Trey Hiatt to lead 40-36 entering the final quarter.
Burgess followed a Jax Allen miss with a two-handed follow dunk with 4:57 to play and the Tigers led 44-38. Chance Dastrup had an acrobatic 3-point play and Allen converted a physical drive to the basket in the final three minutes to keep Orem on top.
“Our ball control was great,” Tevita said. “I think we had six turnovers in the first half and then one in the second half. So just taking care of the ball, being strong with the ball. We have a drill we do every day in practice. It’s called 50 Pass Drill, where we work on those situations of catching the ball and being strong with it, making good, strong passes. We made enough plays down the stretch and that really helped us get over the top.”
Allen led Orem with 21 points and Burgess finished with 16. Rueckert topped Timpview with 17 points and Ford added 13.
“I think it was our defense and then just execution in the second half,” Burgess said. “We only had one turnover in the second half, which means we’re going to convert. I think both teams locked down defensively and scoring was a little bit rougher.”
The Tigers won the first meeting against the T-Birds on Jan. 17, 63-55.
“It seems like we have a mature group,” Tevita said. “In our rotation we have five seniors, a couple of juniors and a freshman, but for the most part, we have a group who has played in so many high school games. They just have experience so moments like this, I don’t want to say it doesn’t phase them, but they’re pretty comfortable in these environments.”
Orem (18-3 overall, 8-0 Region 7), No. 2 in 5A RPI entering the game, finishes the regular season with games Tuesday at Salem Hills and Friday at home against Springville.
Timpview (16-5, 6-2), No. 3 in the RPI, will play at Spanish Fork on Tuesday and hosts Maple Mountain on Friday.
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