The 2009 5A and 4A state basketball tournaments were supposed to be coronations for Lone Peak and Provo. West Jordan and West had other ideas.
West snapped Provo’s 40-game winning streak and won its first title since 1975. West Jordan gave the Tyler Haws era at Lone Peak a downer ending the next night by dominating the second half of the 5A title game.
Tyson Tiatia, Timpview
File photo by Matthew Sauk
2. The Utah Hail Mary
The 80-yard drive.The 31-yard Cody Stevenson heave to Bruce Nix, who fends off two Hurricane defenders and comes down with the game-winning touchdown. Juan Diego’s 12-10 victory for its second straight 3A title marked the first time a Utah state championship game was decided on the final play. Of all the great performances in two weekends at Rice-Eccles Stadium, the best was saved for the final 90 seconds.
3. Timpview four-peat
The 36-game winning streak ended early, but once Timpview settled in 4A region play, the Thunderbirds were all but untouchable and cruised to their fourth consecutive 4A championship, stomping Scott Mitchell’s upstart Springville team in the finals.
4. End of the Ohai era
Fitting that one of Utah’s best soccer players ever got a chance to end her career at Rio Tinto, Real Salt Lake’s palatial digs. Alta’s Kealia Ohai wrapped her high school playing days by registering her 126th career goal as the Hawks won their fourth straight title. Ohai will continue playing at North Carolina.
5. Hart heaves up big numbers
Jordan QB Alex Hart only needed a half to set a state record with eight touchdown passes against Taylorsville. He is one of only three players in U.S. high school football history to accomplish the feat. The rest of the season went about the same: 4,442 yards and 46 touchdowns.
Alex Hart, Jordan
File photo by Matthew Sauk
6. Tyler Haws era ends at Lone Peak
A couple of weeks ago, we said we’d never mention Tyler Haws again. We lied. Two state championships and two Mr. Basketball titles is worth one more mention. Haws is now contributing as a freshman at BYU, and Lone Peak’s found a way to still be undefeated so far this season.
7. Perfection
The Rich football team posted the state’s only unbeaten record en route to the 1A title, and the Richfield girls were 24-0 en route to the 3A title. No matter what the level, a perfect season is worthy of a Top 10 list.
8. State hoops tournament over-expanded
Listen, we’re all in favor of giving as many kids an opportunity to play in the state tournament, but come on, 20 out of 30 teams in the 5A field? That’s worse than the NBA. Simple solution: Let everyone in. Regular-season champions get automatic berths. Play-in tournaments for the remaining berths. Eight team finals. Next.
9. North Sanpete volleyball run
The Hawks winning the state 3A volleyball was an upset if you consider that North Sanpete came out of Region 12 a third seed and knocked off Hurricane and Delta before out-dueling Region 11 champions Morgan 3-2 in a grueling instant classic. A great run at the right time.
10. Swine flu scare for Park City
Swine flu nearly kept Park City from defending its 3A soccer title, but after the Utah High School Activities Association moved the playoffs back a week while the school was closed, Park City won four matches in five days to win the championship.
HONORABLE MENTION:
Mountain Crest wrestler Ethen Lofthouse finishes his career as a four-time state champion … Mountain Crest swimmer Jake Taylor breaks state records in the 200 IM, 100 back and 100 free at the 4A state meet … Ogden’s Jacob Barton wins the 4A state title after taking the 3A title in 2008; American Fork sweeps the 4A championships ... Dixie’s boys golf wins its fifth straight 4A title … Bingham gets a chance to play at Cowboys Stadium against Texas power Euless Trinity.
