Lone Peak got its most impressive win yet on Friday night, topping No. 1-ranked West Jordan in a 68-56 victory at the Maverik Center that was as much an impressive display of power as it was a statement.
The Knights outworked the Jaguars on the boards, outshot them from the field, dominated on the fast break and got the better of the team many thought would replace them as 5A champions. Sophomore T.J. Haws led the effort, scoring 22 points and dishing out five assists as Lone Peak moved on to Saturday’s 4 p.m. final.
“We knew they were No. 1,” Haws said. “We wanted to make a statement.”
The message was clear from the start, as Lone Peak jumped out to a 10-3 lead, including eight points by Nick Emery. On defense, the Knights crowded senior forward Jordan Loveridge, forcing him to work for his shots. Lone Peak also hustled after rebounds and loose balls while West Jordan appeared a bit stunned.
The Jaguars caught up near the end of the first quarter, but Haws and Talon Shumway led a 20-11 second-quarter rally that left the Jaguars looking at a 36-23 deficit at halftime. Loveridge was held to 10 points by the defensive tandem of Shumway and Chase Hansen after scoring 18 in the first half in the quarterfinals.
“Chase and Talon won’t get a ton of credit, but they were huge tonight,” Emery said. “Their defense was great, and it really helped us get on the boards. That was our game plan.”
Lone Peak was forced to make a switch as West Jordan came out on a 7-0 run. The Knights moved into a 1-3-1 zone that confounded the Jaguars and cut off access to Loveridge. Lone Peak then went on a run to boost their lead as high as 16 points.
West Jordan would make one more 7-0 run to start the fourth quarter, but the Knights quickly struck back, restoring their comfortable margin with more transition points. Loveridge had a better second half, finishing with 25 points and 12 rebounds for the game, but it wasn’t enough.
For the game, Lone Peak shot 46 percent from the field while holding the Jaguars to 32 percent. West Jordan won the rebounding battle overall, but senior guard Brody Berry led the Knights with 12 and every other starter had at least four.
Emery and Shumway each had 16 points, but Haws finished with four 3-pointers, leading the offensive attack.
“He’s a mentally tough kid,” coach Quincy Lewis said. “He’s got the heart of a killer.”
Lone Peak will attempt to win its second straight championship on Saturday against Brighton.
kgoon@sltrib.com
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