HURRICANE - For any boys basketball team to be successful, it usually takes a plethora of players contributing in positive fashion. Effective role players are a valuable asset that won't show up in the box score, yet their presence is clearly felt on the court.
Hurricane guard Benson Rich is one of those players making an impact without putting up huge numbers. Whether it's shutting down an opposing guard, diving for loose balls or coming up with a key rebound, he's been instrumental to the Tigers impressive winning streak of late.
The senior's nine points helped augment a balanced Tigers attack that had three of his teammates reach double figures Wednesday night en route to a 50-42 win over the Pine View Panthers.
"I'm not always the one who gets a lot of points on the team, so I just do everything else that needs to be done," Rich said. "I try to work as hard as I can on defense and look to get my teammates open on offense. Basically, I just try to do anything to get our team a win."
The win is Hurricane's fifth straight and six out of its last seven overall. At 6-2 in Region 9 (12-4 overall), they are lined up for the third seed for the 3A state tournament, but are just a half-game back of Desert Hills and Cedar, who also won Wednesday.
Sophomore guard Jack Bangerter led the Panthers' effort with nine points while veteran Mitch Godfrey chipped in eight. Freshman center Kody Wilstead and junior guard Dallin Milne combined for 12 points in the loss.
For Hurricane, the balance of strong defense and timely baskets highlighted their winning charge. Center Boston Gubler and forward Colton Marshall combined for 24 points and more than a dozen rebounds while swingman Taylor Parker added 11 points.
"I still believe we need to improve," Parker said. "We are getting really close to where we need to be, but we need to play sound defense and work the ball around. É Pine View is a hard working team, and we need to match their intensity."
The Tigers took a nine-point halftime lead and built it to 36-20 in the final minutes of the third. The Panthers (1-7 region, 8-9 overall), didn't go quietly, ending the period on a 5-0 run. Bangerter started the fourth with a deep 3-pointer from the left wing, cutting the deficit to eight.
Nevertheless, the momentum was short-lived.
Just two possessions later, Marshall's aggressive defense near the top of the key resulted in a steal from Bangerter. The senior's powerful right-handed dunk in transition erupted the Hurricane faithful into a huge roar of excitement.
At the midway mark in the fourth, guard Weston Yardley's jumper grew the Tigers' lead to 44-30. It ultimately tilted the favor of the contest toward the home team the rest of the way.
"I think the key to our winning streak is how we play as a team," Rich said. "We need to keep getting the ball inside and shoot well from the outside when our (post players) are doubled."
| John Renshaw
|
|
Activities 
