For the first time this season, Timpview will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will look to defend their home court on Friday against the Payson Lions at 7:00 p.m. One thing working in Timpview's favor is that they have posted at least 55 points every time they've taken the court this season.
Timpview is coming in fresh off a high-stakes matchup with another one of Utah's top teams: Orem, who was ranked tenth at the time (Timpview was ranked first). The Thunderbirds breezed past the Tigers to the tune of 72-36 on Friday. The matchup was pretty much decided by the half, when the score had already reached 40-16.
Dean Rueckert
| 01/09/26 @ Orem | 20 |
| 01/02/26 vs Juan Diego Catholic | 27 |
| 12/23/25 vs Redondo Union | 17 |
| 12/22/25 vs Santa Margarita | 27 |
| 12/20/25 vs Centennial | 28 |
| + 2 more games |
Timpview had a senior duo take command as Will Openshaw shot 82% from the field en route to 21 points in addition to seven rebounds and three blocks and Dean Rueckert went 6-for-11 to rack up 20 points and six boards. Rueckert's big performance that evening made it seven games in a row in which he has scored at least 17 points. Mason Ford was another key player, as he made all 5 shots he took racking up 11 points.
The home team had won the previous six meetings between Payson and Maple Mountain, and Maple Mountain kept the tradition alive. The Lions fell 64-59 to the Golden Eagles on Friday. The Lions' defeat signaled the end of their four-game winning streak.
Timpview pushed their record up to 13-1 with the win, which was their third straight on the road. The road victories came thanks in part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 72.0 points over those games. As for Payson, their loss dropped their record down to 10-3.
Timpview was able to grind out a solid win over Payson when the teams last played back in February of 2022, winning 63-52. Do the Thunderbirds have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Lions turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
Article generated by infoSentience based on data entered on MaxPreps
