Both teams started a little tentative and Northridge held a 5-4 lead with 3:20 left in the initial quarter, but Lone Peak closed the period on a 14-4 run by moving the ball and getting baskets from four players.
In the second quarter, shots weren’t falling but the team stayed strong defensively and thus still led 21-18 at the break.
Coming back from the locker room, Lone Peak went hard to the glass and also pursued the ball in the open floor with vigor, leading to some transition baskets and helping to create some separation despite Northridge’s notable efforts.
Lone Peak put 20 points on the board in the final period and still held Northridge to just nine, with Preston Christensen the only player ending the day in double figures with 12.
The victors got great contributions from every player. Haws finished with a game-high 16 points and also had five boards, four steals, two assists and a block. Nick Emery added 15 points and four steals and Talon Shumway scored 10.
Chase Hansen handled a tough defensive assignment, grabbed 11 rebounds and also had seven points, among them a dagger trey in the fourth quarter which took the starch out of Northridge.
Brody Berry took charges and had a great floor game, including five critical rebounds and three assists.
“Chase was just fantastic rebounding and defending, and that three just stuck a knife in them,” the coach added. “TJ got his hands on a lot of balls and was tough finishing his plays.
“Nick went through a stretch when he was settling for jump shots, but once he started going to the rim a little more, he got back on track,” Lewis said.
Despite the rugged play and tournament atmosphere, Haws insisted his squad treated it the same as they have other games all season.
“This felt like any other day,” Haws said. “I had to try to get to the basket, and when I’m able to take it to the hoop, that helps get my outside shot going. Jumping in the passing lanes is part of what we try to do as a team.”
He said that the squad relies on Berry and Hansen for leadership. “They talk to us after every play and remind us to play as a team and a family,” Haws said. “They’re so important to us. They do a lot of things behind the scenes that no one sees.”
Lone Peak (20-3) will face Region 3 champion and state No. 1 West Jordan (21-2) in the semifinals Friday at 5:30 p.m.
“They’re ranked No. 1 in the state,” said Lewis. “They’ve got great players, but so do we. It should be a fun one.”
“For us, it’s just another game,” Haws added. “We aren’t worried about the hype or what the other guys do. We’re worried about playing our game and doing what we do.”
Beky Beaton can be reached at bbeaton@heraldextra.com. Follow her on Twitter at @BeatonWrite
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