Not for this year's Hurricane girls.

The Tigers, who coach Clair Woodbry estimates averages 15-and-a-half years of age across the board, are clicking at the right time as they enter the 3A quarterfinals this week in West Valley City.

"They're just learning the game, but they're very athletic and quick," he said. "Sometimes that athleticism will carry you and it did (Saturday)."

The Tigers fell behind by 13 points in the fourth quarter against Bear River in their opening round playoff game, but a 25-3 uprising gave Hurricane the lead for good.

At the forefront of the rally was the youngest Tiger, 14-year-old Carly Stratton. The freshman's defensive pressure helped create several turnovers - some of which she converted directly into points.

Stratton had 10 points and further impressed her coach.

"She's an up and coming star," Woodbury said. "She has court sense that is so rare. Most girls learn the game, but rarely does a person feel it and she does. Otherwise she wouldn't be playing with (the varsity) because I don't believe in playing freshmen. She is so good I couldn't keep her back."

Among the other young Tigers who contribute include sophomores Taylor Steglich, Angela Shields, Kalistina Takau and Siai Keil, and junior Sadi Hoyt. The lone senior to see consistent minutes, Megan Clyde, averages about 18 points per game.

Hurricane has been without Taylor Vaifanua, a junior forward who was fourth on the team in scoring last season but is sitting out the campaign to focus on her bid to become the top performer on American Idol.

The Tigers (11-11) take on Judge (19-2) on Thursday at 9:10 p.m. The Lady Bulldogs compiled a 15-game winning streak earlier in the season and have not lost a contest in regulation this year.

IT'S NOT OVER: Joel Einfeldt didn't want to let his team's season end.

He scored 34 points in the victory over Morgan on Friday, extending the season into this week's state tournament. They are set to play Judge Memorial on Wednesday.

"We were down two, and there was feeling it could be over," Einfeldt said Monday. "Everyone didn't want it to be over, so I'm glad we have another week together. When it's over, I'll feel like we made it as much as could this week."

'FEED THE PIG': While Einfeldt did most of the scoring for the Redmen, he did get his teammates involved.

Einfeldt looked to get the ball inside to Jase Bleazard, in order to set up an inside-out game.

Bleazard finished with nine points, and the sheer threat of him inside helped paved the way for Einfeldt's clutch performance.

"It helped to get everyone involved. It's like my what my dad told me, 'Feed the pig,'" Einfeldt said. "Pound it in the middle, get Jase and everyone inside involved and the defense will start collapsing and everything will open up."

SATURDAY EXPOSURE: If the Redmen navigate through the 3A tournament field and have the opportunity to play for a state title, it can provide Einfeldt and other players a chance to shine in front of potential colleges.

"What I'm hoping for is we can play on Saturday," Cedar coach Craig Cardon said. "By playing Saturday, we open up opportunities for Joel to play in front of colleges that are recruiting him. It also becomes an option for juniors, sophomores and freshmen who want to play college ball (to get exposure)."

COMING TO AN END: The Cedar girls' basketball team had its season end Saturday with a loss to Morgan.

The Lady Reds said goodbye to five seniors, who helped transform the program. In 2007-2008, Cedar won two games before turning it around this season and winning 13.

"You go from two wins and 13 the next is a huge jump to me," Cedar coach John Elison said. "There's a status quo there that you wonder if you can dig out of. These seniors set an example, and they've been great to work with."

EXTRA FRUSTRATING: The Pine View Panthers boys basketball team finished an unlikely trifecta in its season series with fellow 4A Region 9 member Snow Canyon on Friday. All three meetings, including the Warriors' 67-55 victory over the Panthers that gave them the outright championship, were won by Snow Canyon in extra time.

Not only that, Pine View had two more OT losses in non-region play - a 59-53 defeat to Centennial on Dec. 12, and a 48-44 loss to Cedar on Jan. 8. Five of the Panthers' 16 losses, nearly a third, came in overtime.

DOING WHAT WORKS: As he celebrated the 3A Region 9 boys basketball championship with his team last Tuesday, Hurricane head coach Gordon Dotson was spotted wearing one of the freshly-cut nets on top of his head.

Considering that the Tigers' leader doesn't have much hair up top to begin with, Dotson's response was perfectly logical when asked about his newly-made chapeau.