It was the Nick Emery and TJ Haws show Tuesday night in Highland as Lone Peak (18-3, 9-1) dispatched Bingham (8-13, 0-0) with a late barrage of 3-point baskets to win decisively, 70-43.While not quite as notorious, Emery and Haws are every bit as intimidating to opposing teams as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Haws typically plays the role of Sundance, but his school-record-tying eight 3-point baskets and career-high 31 points earned "The Kid" top billing on senior night.
The two teams started out thuggish, combing for eight fouls in the first eight minutes as they were locked in a 3-3 stalemate halfway through the first quarter. Emery and Haws connected on three treys and accounted for all of the Knights' 11 points. Senior Brody Berry was the first player not named Nick or TJ to record a basket, nearly four minutes into the second period.
After playing tough at the outset, the Miners failed to capitalize on poor shooting and turnovers for Lone Peak and that is something no team can afford when playing a club the caliber of the Knights. Lone Peak took advantage of a chance to catch a second wind and came out firing in the second quarter as the Knights used a mini Emery burst to fuel a 14-2 run, pushing the lead to 25-8.
The Miners chipped away at the lead taking advantage of the Knights' aggressive play and getting to the line as they used a 9-0 run of their own to keep things close. They were able to keep within 10 points and striking distance but it was Sundance to the rescue for Lone Peak as Haws drained a 3 to end the quarter and extend the lead to 30-17.
Twelve of Lone Peak's 19 points in the third came off 3-point baskets by Emery and Haws. None were more impressive than Emery's buzzer-beater that gave the Knights a 49-32 lead. After a missed shot, Berry jumped over the baseline and saved the possession by tossing the ball well beyond the arc and Emery connected from way downtown on a fade-away 3-point basket with a hand in his face.
Haws took over in the fourth scoring three quick 3-pointers, taking a steal coast-to-coast finishing with a strong one handed dunk and knifing through the defense for another lay-up. Haws' 13-point fourth quarter sparked a 17-4 run that would end any and all hope for Bingham (8-13, 4-6), as he and the Knights would ride off into the sunset with a 27 point win.
Next up for Lone Peak (18-3, 9-1) is a trip to the state 5A tournament next week. The Knights tied American Fork for the top spot in Region 4, but the Knights lost the coin flip with the Cavemen and will enter the tournament as the No. 2 seed from the region. They will play at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday against the third-place team from Region 2.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
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