Girls basketball roundup: Warriors rally past Dixie to clinch playoff spot

Dixie vs. Snow Canyon, Girls Basketball, St. George, Utah, Feb. 10, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Free throws made all the difference Tuesday night as Snow Canyon clinched a playoff spot at the line against the Dixie Flyers in a 70-69 home win.

snow-canyon-smdixie-smThe Lady Warriors were at the charity stripe seemingly all game long and it was a good place to be. Snow Canyon hit 30 of 40 free throws to aid in their come-from-behind win over Dixie at the Jungle Gymnasium at SCHS.

Madison Mooring, who averages 10.7 points a game, has been on fire, scoring 52 points in her last two contests, including 30 against the Flyers. She also had a lot of help as Nikenna Durante had 11 points, 6 steals and 4 assists, Christee Wilson had 9 points and 2 steals and Shaylee Reed scored 7 while also grabbing 8 boards.

Alexa Estridge (22) is fouled by Lindsy McConnell (32) on a layup attempt, Dixie vs. Snow Canyon, Girls Basketball, St. George, Utah, Feb. 10, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Alexa Estridge (22) is fouled by Lindsy McConnell (32) on a layup attempt, Dixie vs. Snow Canyon, Girls Basketball, St. George, Utah, Feb. 10, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

SC trailed by seven at halftime at 35-28 and went into the fourth quarter still behind by five at 50-45. But free throws and rugged inside play helped the Warriors erase the deficit quickly. SC then iced the game with free throws at the end.

The win secures at least a third-place tie for Snow Canyon, which improves to 10-12 overall and 7-5 in region. The Warriors, who have completed their regular season schedule, will now watch as Desert Hills and Pine View finish up their seasons Thursday. SC needs the Lady Thunder to lose to Hurricane Thursday to gain a share of second place, with a potential coin toss breaking any tie that arises. The Thunder are a half-game ahead of Snow Canyon for second place, while Pine View, which plays at first-place Cedar Thursday, is a half-game behind the Warriors.

Lady Warriors Christee Wilson (23) and Nikenna Durante (11) reach for a loose ball, Dixie vs. Snow Canyon, Girls Basketball, St. George, Utah, Feb. 10, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News
Lady Warriors Christee Wilson (23) and Nikenna Durante (11) reach for a loose ball, Dixie vs. Snow Canyon, Girls Basketball, St. George, Utah, Feb. 10, 2015 | Photo by Robert Hoppie, ASPpix.com, St. George News

If the favored teams win, D-Hills would get second, Snow Canyon would be third and Pine View would finish fourth. The top four teams all go to the playoffs, with the top two teams playing a home game in the first round before the tourney moves up to the Maverik Center in West Valley City Feb. 26-28.

Dixie was led by Aubri Challis, who had 25 points, and Alexa Estridge, who scored 20. The Flyers, 10-10 and 3-8, finish their season with a home game Thursday vs. Canyon View.

Desert Hills 48, Canyon View 41

The Lady Thunder are smoking hot, having won four straight and six the last seven games.

Desert-Hills-smcanyon-view-smDesert Hills dominated the fourth quarter to the tune of an 18-9 advantage to erase a 32-30 deficit. The road win was key for the Thunder, who can now clinch second place and a home playoff game Thursday at Hurricane.

Ashley Beckstrand, the region’s leading scorer, had 17 points. The sophomore point guard will go into the final game of the season with a 21.9 points per game average, six points per game more than the region’s second-leading scorer, Shontae Clark. Junior Kylie Williams added 13 for the Thunder Tuesday night and Kenzie Done, who averages 12 per game, had eight points.

Clark had three 3-pointers and led the Lady Falcons with 21 points, while teammate Abbie Corry added 17 for Canyon View, which fell to 6-15 overall and 4-7 in region. The loss officially eliminates Canyon View from playoff contention. The Falcons close the season Thursday at Dixie.

If DH (13-7 and 7-4) can win Thursday, the Thunder would host the third place team from Region 12, either North Sanpete or Richfield. Desert Hills beat North Sanpete by 15 earlier this season and has not played Richfield.

Cedar 62, Hurricane 34

No surprise here as the undefeated Lady Reds blew out the last-place Tigers Tuesday night at the Tiger’s Den.

cedar-smhurricane-smMcKenna Collin led the way with 15 points, while Courtney Morley had a quiet 11 points and Morgan Myers chipped in 10. Eight different Cedar players had at least three points in the runaway.

It started with an 8-0 burst at the beginning of the game, with Collins converting a three-point play and a two-pointer to spark the run. By the end of the first quarter, it was 19-2. Hurricane’s  7-2 run to start the second pulled the Tigers to within 21-9, but Cedar closed the half on a 23-1 run to erase any upset thoughts the Lady Tigers might have.

With the win, Cedar moves to an impressive 17-3 overall and 11-0 in region. The Lady Reds will try to be the second team in a row to run the table in region (D-Hills did it last year) with a home game against Pine View Thursday night.

Hurricane, 3-17 and 1-10, got 20 points from senior London Steglich and 10 rebounds from junior Carrie Marshall. The Tigers will host Desert Hills in the last game of the regular season Thursday night.

Stats: CHS 62, HHS 34

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