Hawes lifts Flyers over SC with game winning 3-pointer; STGNews video postgame

Snow Canyon at Dixie, St. George, Utah, Jan 10, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – Jake Hawes hit the game-winning 3-point shot with 33 seconds left to deliver a Dixie High win, 59-57, over the Snow Canyon Warriors Friday night in Dixie’s Hangar Gymnasium.

dixie-smsnow-canyon-smHawes said he knew what he had done as soon as he released the ball.

“When I shot it, I was a little surprised at how open I was,” he said. “But right when I shot it, I looked the other way because I knew that was going in.”

The 6-foot-4 guard scored 26 points on the night, well above his season average of 12.2 points per game, giving him a new career-high.

Warrior players battled hard with SC senior Nate Gottfredson adding 22 points and Warrior guard Jacob Frei with 17 points, including 5 for 5 on 3-pointers.

Dixie High is coming off a 17-point loss to Pine View during which key player Sam Guymon received a concussion Wednesday. Guymon will be having an MRI next Friday to determine his condition and the possibility of returning.

Hayden Anderson scores, Snow Canyon at Dixie, St. George, Utah, Jan 10, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, St. George News
Hayden Anderson scores, Snow Canyon at Dixie, St. George, Utah, Jan 10, 2014 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, St. George News

“Sam and his family would like to thank all of the community,” said Dixie Head Coach Ryan Cuff. “He has recovered very quickly and that doesn’t happen unless there are thoughts and prayers in his behalf.”

With Sam Guymon injured, Dixie needed every one of Hawes’ 26 points. Flyers senior Jaden Roberts was strong in the paint and notched seven points.

“We came into this game more prepared than against Pine View,” Roberts said. “We had great coaching and we played well. We all played our hearts out and gave 110 percent. We kept our heads in and kept focused.”

The first half was all Flyers as Hawes scored over 10 points in the first quarter, and Dixie lead by an 11-point margin in the second quarter. With one second left in the first half, Snow Canyon’s 6-foot junior guard, Jacob Frei, tossed a buzzer-beater for three points about six feet behind the half court line, taking the Flyers’ lead down to six points.

“Basketball’s a game of runs,” Cuff said. “They had theirs right there and at the start of the third quarter to get back in the game. We knew that was going to happen.”

The fourth quarter intensity was unsettling as students and fans hardly moved for fear of missing a second of action. In the final quarter, there were six lead changes.

With 33 seconds left in the game, Hawes found an open 3-point shot and drained the bucket. Snow Canyon quickly dribbled down the court and passed the ball around, looking for an open shot. After scrambling and several missed shots, the clock expired, securing the win for the Flyers and improving their record to 9-4 overall, 2-2 in region.

“Snow Canyon is an incredible basketball team. They came and give a lot of credit to them,” Cuff said. “We knew that with those big shots, we had to keep fighting and we couldn’t quit. I am really proud of our guys, that we kept it under control there at the end and we were able to come out on top.”

Hawes’ huge night, which included four 3-pointers, were crucial for Dixie, which also got eight points from reserve guard Izaic Blazzard.

Sam’s our second-leading scorer, so I felt like I really needed to step it up,” Hawes said. “This one is for Sam. This is one I’ll remember.”

The Flyers take Wednesday off and battle Canyon View at the Hangar next Friday night with the possibility of Guymon’s return.

SC, which fell to 7-5 overall and 2-1 in region, plays at home against Hurricane Wednesday night.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.

 

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