The Grand County High School boys basketball team’s season came to an end with a pair of losses at the state 3A basketball tournament in St. George. Grand fell to Grantsville in heartbreaking fashion 66-62 in overtime in the quarterfinals on Thursday, Feb. 22. The following day, the Red Devils lost 68-56 in the consolation bracket to Morgan, which had been the No. 1-ranked team in 3A by the Deseret News most of the season.
The game against Grantsville was close throughout, but the Red Devils led most of the way, trailing only twice during regulation play. The Red Devils had a slim 25-22 lead at halftime, extended to 42-38 going into the fourth quarter. After Grantsville took a brief 47-44 lead early in the frame, Grand went on an 11-4 run to reclaim the lead at 55-51.
Grantsville tied the game over the next two possessions with a free throw and a 3-pointer before junior Cameron Hoppensteadt scored a layup with 25 seconds left to give Grand a 57-55 lead. Grantsville’s Jackson Sandberg, however, scored on a putback with three seconds left to knot the game back up at 57-57.
After a timeout, Grand senior Alec Williams drove the ball and attempted a layup, but it was blocked, sending the game into overtime, where the Cowboys capitalized on the momentum, scoring the first five points in the overtime frame on their way to victory.
Grand boys basketball coach Scott Horton said the Red Devils were being outrebounded by the Cowboys and panicked a little at the end of the game.
“We needed to make adjustments and we didn’t make them,” he said. “The boys played hard and it just didn’t work out for us.”
Grand’s season ends with loss in consolation play
“We can play with anybody, but we’ve got to show up ready to play every day. I told the kids there are years you might not even make it to state, so when you get there, you’ve got to make the most of it.”
