Region 10 girls basketball: Dixie wins a thriller; Snow Canyon, Pine View also victorious

Written by E. George Goold
February 9, 2023
Snow Canyon's Kelly Howard grabs a rebound against Hurricane in a Region 10 girls basketball game, Hurricane, Utah, Feb. 9, 2023 | Photo by Aaron Crane, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Even though the Region 10 girls basketball title has already been claimed, local teams fought hard Thursday night in three fiercely contested rivalry games.

In the Hangar, Dixie held on to defeat Desert Hills for the second time this season.

Meanwhile, Snow Canyon withstood an upset bid at home and Pine View started hot and then survived a comeback attempt in a squeaker at Crimson Cliffs.

Following are recaps of Thursday night’s Region 1o girls games.

Dixie 52, Desert Hills 49

Jaide Bundy practiced all year for two moments that came during crunch time against the Thunder.

Dixie and Desert Hills in a Region 10 girls basketball game, St. George, Utah, Feb. 9, 2023 | Photo by E. George Goold, St. George News

Tied 46-46 with 1:19 remaining, Desert Hills had possession and rotated the ball around the offense until Dixie’s Kealah Faumuina collected a turnover, looked up, and saw Bundy streaking down the floor.

Bundy accepted the pass right outside the 3-point arc in front of Dixie’s bench, never hesitated, and buried the shot. Dixie was ahead for good 49-46 with 43 seconds remaining.

“I was looking for a teammate to get that 3, but as soon as I saw them (the defense) drop off I was confident in my shot,” Bundy told St. George News on the court after the win. “I just shot it confidently because that’s what we’ve been practicing the last few practices.”

Bundy was tested again. After Desert Hills missed a 3-point attempt on the ensuing possession, Dixie got the ball to Bundy, who was fouled.

She swished the two free throws and Dixie took a commanding 51-46 with 9.8 seconds remaining.

“Yes, I was nervous, always nervous,” Bundy said. “But I practice those all the time so in games I can make them.”

Desert Hills did not go away quietly as Ashtin Hansen sank a long 3-pointer, cutting Dixie’s lead to 51-49 with 7.9 seconds remaining.

But Allee Williams made a free throw to provide the final margin. Desert Hills had a desperation half-court heave that fell short and Dixie beat the Thunder for the second time this season.

“It feels really good. It was a team win definitely,” Bundy said. “We struggled but we came together at the end and I was really proud of us for that.”

Faumuina poured in a game-high 21 points to lead Dixie in the win. Bundy was next with nine points, seven of them scored in the fourth quarter. Brydee Davey also contributed nine points to Dixie’s effort.

Hansen lead the Thunder with 18 points, 12 of them scored in the second half. Jenna Brown sank six field goals for 12 Thunder points, while Jacie Riding contributed 10 points in the setback.

Dixie next plays at Cedar, Tuesday, Feb. 14 for a Valentine’s Day matchup at 7 p.m.

“We want to finish in a good position for state,” Bundy said. “We want to keep our confidence up so when we get to state we know we can beat any of these teams.”

Desert Hills next plays at Snow Canyon, also on Valentine’s Day at 7 p.m.

Snow Canyon 59, Hurricane 45

Snow Canyon and Hurricane in a Region 10 girls basketball game, Hurricane, Utah, Feb. 9, 2023 | Photo by Aaron Crane, St. George News

The Region 10 champion Warriors were challenged by the scrappy Tigers, who trailed 15-11 after the first quarter.

The visitors stayed in it with a strong performance in the second quarter and trailed just 30-27 at halftime.

But Olivia Hamlin scored 21 of her 29 total points in the second half and Snow Canyon ran away with it to improve to 11-0 in Region 10 play.

Kelly Howard was next for the Warriors with 14 points. Natalie Olson scored eight points and Fetuao Tapasa also scored eight points to round out Snow Canyon’s offensive attack.

MJ Erickson paced Hurricane’s offense with 12 points. Abby Stout scored 11 for the home team while Addison Crandall scored nine and Ana Larsen contributed eight points for the Tigers in the setback.

Snow Canyon will look to cap its perfect Region 10 run in a home game against Desert Hills Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m.

Hurricane goes to play at Pine View at the same date and time.

Pine View 62, Crimson Cliffs 60

Both teams hit shots early and the Panthers took a 17-11 lead after the first quarter.

Crimson Cliffs kept it close all night, battling back to trail the visitors 34-29 at halftime.

The Mustangs made adjustments and made a strong charge in the third session, outscoring the Panthers 18-10 and taking a lead into the fourth quarter, 47-44.

Alyssa Whittaker led Crimson Cliffs with 19 points in the game while Summer Adams threw in 14 points including three 3-pointers for the Mustangs.

Pine View mounted a counter-charge, winning the fiercely contested final frame 18-13 to seal the two-point win.

Pine View stays at home to host Hurricane Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. Crimson Cliffs has a bye that night.

Region 10 girls basketball standings as of Feb. 10:
  1. Snow Canyon 11-0 (16-5)
  2. Dixie 7-3 (13-7)
  3. Desert Hills 6-4 (10-10)
  4. Hurricane 4-6 (4-12)
  5. Cedar 4-6 (4-14)
  6. Pine View 3-7 (7-14)
  7. Crimson Cliffs 1-10 (2-14)

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Eric George Goold came to St. George News from southwestern Colorado, where he was a radio news reporter. He has been a journalist for over 20 years in five different states. He graduated with a master's degree in English from Kansas State University and writes nonfiction as well. Goold has been published in Sunstone Magazine and has done multiple public readings about local history. When he has free time, he enjoys chess, movies and dogs.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews

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