CEDAR CITY — The Region 9 boys basketball regular season started Wednesday night, with Canyon View winning at home against Snow Canyon, Dixie winning at Cedar and Desert Hills outlasting Hurricane in overtime at Desert Hills.

Canyon View 56, Snow Canyon 39

The defensive-minded Canyon View Falcons battled their way to a region-opening win over Snow Canyon.

The two teams played evenly during the first quarter, which ended with the Falcons on top, 13-11.

Canyon View then went on an 11-0 run to start the second quarter and led 29-21 at halftime.

Snow Canyon narrowed the gap by hitting a pair of 3-pointers at the start of the third period, but Canyon View’s defense clamped down once again and held the Warriors to just three points the rest of the quarter, which ended with Canyon View ahead, 40-30.

The Falcons then outscored the Warriors 16-9 down the stretch to pull away with the victory.

“We did tough things on the glass and scoring in the paint,” said Canyon View head coach Rob Potter. “I thought we closed the game really well with ball control and making free throws, and one-shot defense on the other end with great rebounding.”

Snow Canyon head coach Doug Meacham agreed that rebounding was a key issue for the Warriors.

“We have to become a better rebounding team on both ends. We just really struggled making some shots around the paint. Going 9-for-21 on 2’s (2-point field goal attempts) meant that we didn’t get enough offensive rebounds and we let some missed shots dictate our energy and effort on the defensive end.

“Credit to Canyon View, as they have some great playmakers and guys that can get to the basket.”

Potter said his team derived an extra boost of inspiration from longtime CVHS teacher and coach Jacob Ziegler, who was honored during a special ceremony on the court at halftime.

Ziegler, who has been battling brain cancer since January, was brought onto the court in a wheelchair, surrounded by family members, all wearing black T-shirts emblazoned with “ZIG 30” in large letters. Players and coaches on both teams, along with many fans in the stands, were also wearing the commemorative shirts in Ziegler’s honor.

CVHS teacher and baseball coach Jason Jacobsen introduced Ziegler and thanked him for his contributions to the school and the community. Several testimonials and comments from some of Ziegler’s former players and students were read aloud. He was presented by a No. 30 framed baseball jersey, and a special commemorative banner was unveiled from the rafters of the gym.

Ziegler, who taught English and other subjects at CVHS from 2005-2018, also coached football, wrestling, baseball and boys golf.

Read more: ‘A Concert for Zig’ event, featuring singer Jim Avett, to benefit teacher battling cancer

“A truly great mentor is hard to find, difficult to part with and impossible to forget,” Jacobsen added.

“Keep battling, we love you!” Jacobsen said as he finished his remarks. Ziegler, his wife Heather, and many other family members and friends were visibly moved, as were many fans in the audience.

— Written by Jeff Richards

Dixie 49, Cedar 45

In a back-and-forth battle at Cedar City, the visiting Dixie Flyers came from behind in the fourth quarter to hand the Cedar Redmen a 49-45 loss to start the Region 9 regular season.

Both teams struggled in the first quarter, which ended with Dixie ahead 8-4. Cedar guard Zab Santana made a pair of baskets to account for all of his team’s points that quarter.

Cedar then outscored Dixie in the second quarter to take a slim 21-20 advantage at halftime. Treyton Tebbs hit a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws to help spark Cedar’s rally. The Redmen then extended that lead during the third period, which ended with Cedar up by four, 33-29.

However, the Flyers outscored Cedar 20-12 over the final eight minutes to go from four behind to four ahead at the end. Dixie’s Hayden Cottle, who’d been held scoreless in the first half, finished the game with 12 points, including a pair of 3-pointers during the fourth quarter. Jordan Mathews, who led the Flyers with 13 points, converted 7-of-8 free throw attempts.

Cedar was led by Santana’s 12 points, while Landon Barney added 10.

Dixie’s record is now a perfect 6-0, including five preseason wins, under first-year head coach Tyler Roberts.

“I was really proud of our defense and rebounding,” Roberts told St. George News after the game. “Cedar is a great team, and we’re happy to come away with our first region win. Our guys did a great job executing our offense at the end. They played their guts out and that’s all I can ask for as a coach.”

— Written by Jeff Richards

Desert Hills 73, Hurricane 68 (OT)

After trailing for most of the game, the Desert Hills Thunder fought back in their Region 9 opener to take down Hurricane in overtime, 73-68.

The Tigers came out of the gates strong, taking an early eight-point lead after one quarter before taking a nine-point lead into halftime, 35-26.

The Thunder would have the final say, though, battling back on their home floor to force overtime and outscore the Tigers 12-7 in the extra period for their first region victory of the season.

Desert Hills was led by multiple strong performances, highlighted by junior guard Mason Chase scoring 26 points. Trevin Lindstrom added 19, and Keegan Munson chipped in 15 points.

Hurricane was led by junior Bryce Thomas, who scored 21 points. TJ Minor chipped in with 12.

Up next, Hurricane will take on Manti at 3 p.m. on Thursday at the Coach Walker Memorial Holiday Classic at the Burns Arena at Dixie State University.

The Thunder will also participate in the Coach Walker Classic, facing Maple Mountain at 4:30 p.m. at DSU.

— Written by Spencer Rodak

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