Record now 10-2 overall
RICHFIELD—The North Sanpete Hawks have a winning season going, even if a number of those wins have been squeakers.
The boys basketball team pulled out their third one-possession win of the season last week, beating Richfield, 45-44, on the road, to become the first 3A team this season to reach 10 wins. The team is now sitting at 10-2 overall.
The Hawks’ last four straight games have each been decided by two points or less. Their last six games have been decided by eight points or less.
It was senior Landon Bowles who pulled through in the end to secure the victory over the Wildcats. After Richfield nailed a pair of free throws to go ahead, 44-43, Coach Bill Pollock elected not to call a timeout, and senior Hunter Price brought the ball up the court, passing inside to Bowles with 13 seconds to go. Bowles worked the post and spun around for a layup but found a double team right in his face. He instead pivoted through the double team and scooped up the layup with 7 seconds remaining for the lead.
Bowles was phenomenal as he led all scorers with 26 points, more than half of North Sanpete’s total offense, including 14 points in the first quarter.
The Hawks were electric to start the game as Richfield was slow to answer for Bowles’ hot start. While the Hawks tossed up a quick and easy 20 points in the first quarter, Richfield struggled to find an offense, relying on 3-pointers that were more often air balling than not, and the Hawks were up 20-9 at the end of the first.
Subtly chipping away, the Wildcats got back in striking distance at halftime, 29-22. After the half, it was all Richfield in the third as the Hawks went cold from the floor, struggling to finish inside around Richfield’s 6’8” big man. The Wildcats outscore North Sanpete, 15-5, in the third quarter to take their first lead.
North Sanpete struck back in the fourth quarter, and it was back and forth until Bowles tremendous last shot. The Wildcats set up a long 3-point attempt as time expired, but it clanged off the back iron.
The Hawks, ranked No. 3 in RPI, will continue to be tested as they begin region play this week. They’ll first travel to Manti this Friday in a massive rivalry showdown. The Templars are currently No. 8 in RPI and will be seething after a tough loss to Emery.
