Tonight’s Region 9 boys basketball games
————————–
Pine View (12-2, 4-1) at Desert Hills (8-5, 3-1), 7 p.m. at the Thunderdome
Broadcast: Triplecast! Video streaming on STGNews.com; ESPN 106.1 FM Radio; CEC-TV 22 (Baja Cable)
PANTHERS
Coach: Darrell Larsen
Record: 12-2 overall, 4-1 in region
Streak: 5 wins
Last five: 5-0
PPG: 66.1
PAPG: 54.9
Probable starters: Chaz Peterson (10.1), Jack Bangerter (8.1, questionable), Kody Wilstead (13.1), Collin Dowdell (11.1), Jed Newby (5.8)
Other key contributors: Ryan Koller (9.5), Garrett Bowker (2.9), Cason Prisbrey (1.0)
THUNDER
Coach: Wade Turley
Record: 8-5 overall, 3-1 in region
Streak: 4 wins
Last Five: 4-1
PPG: 52.7
PAPG: 47.7
Probable starters: Taylor Houston (7.5 ppg), Quincy Matthews (13.4), Brycen Williams (5.1), Trey Tanner (6.2), Landen Broadhead (4.3)
Other key contributors: Jordan Hokanson (6.6), Sam Messinger (3.9), Austin Adams (4.5), Max Mills (1.1)
Game outlook: Pine View fans are enthused at the team’s 4-1 region start, but need to keep in mind that all four wins were at home. Now is when the real work begins with road games in 5 of the next 6 contests. Bangerter may make a surprise and near miraculous comeback for PV and hell be needed against the defensive-minded Thunder. For Desert Hills, an awful stretch in mid-December is a distant memory as the Thunder have put together four straight wins. Houston is starting to settle into his role and the reemergence of Hokanson has been key as well. DH has three straight key home games starting tonight. Winning at home is a must. The team that wins the tempo battle wins the game.
————————–
Cedar (7-6, 2-2) at Snow Canyon (8-5, 3-1), 7 p.m. at the Jungle
Broadcast: 890-AM KDXU with Mike McGary; 590-KSUB
REDMEN
Coach: Craig Cardon
Record: 7-6 overall, 2-2 in region
Streak: 1 loss
PPG: 50.9
PAPG: 46.9
Probable starters: Kordan Nielson (16.3 ppg), Dustin Staggs (13.4), Kyle Wood (5.9), Weston Bettridge (2.3), Greyson Hulet (2.9)
Other key contributors: Kole Dotson (1.6), James Thompson (2.2), Ben Brown (.5)
WARRIORS
Coach: James Brown
Record: 8-5 overall, 3-1 in region
Streak: 1 win
Last Five: 3-2
PPG: 58.2
PAPG: 57.2
Probable starters: Hayden Anderson (6.0 ppg), Nate Gottfredson (15.9), Tanner Sampson (9.3), Chase Jenkins (5.5), Jacob Frei (9.3)
Other key contributors: Brock Staheli (3.5), Warner Rigby (3.3), Kade Potter (1.7)
Game Outlook: What a battle it will be inside between Staggs and Gottfredson, two of the premier big men in the region. For Staggs, he has a stud running mate in Nielson, but little other help. For Gottfredson, the trio of Sampson, Frei and Jenkins, plus the emerging Rigby and the reliable Anderson make his options more plentiful. Cedar needs a win right now if the Redmen have hopes of winning a region title. Dropping too many on the road will pull you out of the title race. For SC, a home loss would be unthinkable here, especially with road games at Desert Hills and Pine View up next. The big guys will get theirs, but the little guys will decide this game.
————————–
Canyon View (3-11, 0-4) at Dixie (9-4, 2-2), 7 p.m. at the Hangar
Broadcast: Power 93 FM
FALCONS
Coach: Rob Potter
Record: 3-11 overall, 0-4 in region
Streak: 4 loss
Last Five: 1-4
PPG: 49.5
PAPG: 59.0
Probable starters: Keaton Kringlen (8.5 ppg), Koy Huxford (9.1), Sterling Barnes (4.7), Derek Dunnell (3.9), Ty Nielson (4.2)
Other key contributors: Travis Bettridge (3.9), Ryan Jensen (3.3), Ty Hollerman (2.1)
FLYERS
Coach: Ryan Cuff
Record: 9-4 overall, 2-2 in region
Streak: 1 win
Last five: 3-2
PPG: 55.8
PAPG: 50.0
Probable starters: RJ Wilgar (8.2 ppg), Sam Guymon (9.4, questionable), Harrison Labrum (5.2), Jake Hawes (11.2), Jake Christiansen (3.9)
Other key contributors: Izaic Blazzard (3.4), Tyler Bennett (5.6), Nate Crockett (2.2), Jayden Roberts (2.1)
Game Outlook: The Falcons are just good enough to be dangerous every time out. Their not going to win the region, or even make the playoffs, most likely, but they are going to beat somebody. Dixie needs to avoid an emotional letdown after last week’s gut-wrenching win over Snow Canyon. For CV, offense has been hard to come by, so defense is the key. Getting Huxford more looks will help as well. For the Flyers, getting Guymon back would be a huge lift, if he plays. Dixie has been up and down lately, so a second straight win would be a boon. Look for a big night from Hawes and Wilgar.
————————–
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @oldschoolag
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2014, all rights reserved.