ST. GEORGE – It’s the final week of regular season Region 9 boys basketball, and while Dixie has secured the title and top seed going into next week’s state tournament, there’s still much to be decided.
Snow Canyon, Desert Hills, Crimson Cliffs and Pine View follow the Flyers in the current standings. So The Fan’s Games of the Week will focus on these four teams.
Devin Dixon, Paul Ratliff and Ben Lindquist will have the call Wednesday night for Crimson Cliffs at Pine View. And on Kaden Foremaster and Connor Collins will mic it up on Friday night for Snow Canyon at Desert Hills.
(
Check out the St. George News website and app for up-to-date scores, stats and standings as our team of E. George Goold, Jeff Richards and Aaron Crane fan out to cover the Region 9 hardwood.
And weekdays on The Fan, catch Dixon from 7-9 a.m. on The Drive and Foremaster and Mark Musgrave from 4-6 p.m. as they present From The Bleachers.
Who’s got game?
Crimson Cliffs’ Noah Nelson handles the ball for the Mustangs against Cedar in a Region 9 boys basketball game in St. George, Utah, Feb. 2, 2024 | Photo by Aaron Crane, St. George News
Crimson Cliffs at Pine View
Crimson is sitting at 6-5 in Region 9 action, while Pine View enters at 5-5, so this is a big game for both teams. It’s the final regular season finale for Crimson, while Pine View will play Hurricane on Friday.
Crimson split last week, losing to The Thunder and winning at home vs. Hurricane in a game that saw Coach Murdock play mostly seniors on Senior Night. With Scoop Johnson back, how will the real Mustang rotation look heading to the postseason?
Pine View also split its games, losing to Dixie and beating Cedar. Before the RPI was pulled down ahead of this Saturday’s 4A state bracket being announced, the Panthers were No. 11 and Crimson No. 15.
Wins by both teams should solidify a home game in the first round of the state playoffs. Nash Schroeder needs to heat back up; he was the leading 4A scorer, but he’s been averaging 15 points in his last four games (granted it was a tough stretch) and has dipped to 22.2 ppg, still good enough for No. 3 in 4A. Meanwhile, Griffen Shepherd is 23 points away from 1,000 for his career — something else to keep an eye on in this one.
For the Mustangs, Sean Felts continues to lead the way coming off 30 points last Friday. Camden Smith, Trevor Condie and Co. will have to try and slow him down. Look at the supporting cast or bench play to decide this game in the fourth quarter.
Desert Hills’ Mason Rasmussen (0) scores against Pine View in a Region 9 boys basketball game, St. George, Utah, Jan. 26, 2024 | Photo by Aaron Crane, St. George News
Desert Hills at Snow Canyon
This should be a fun one and will impact the 4A state bracket. The Thunder and Warriors both score in transition and from beyond the 3-point line. And it’s Owen Mackay vs. Eli Allred to finish the regular season.
The Thunder have Dixie on Wednesday and this match-up on Friday, so Desert Hills, based on the strength of the opponent, could still have a shot to move into the top 8.
Before the bracket comes out this Saturday, the Thunder are No. 14 and Snow Canyon No. 9. If the Warriors want to earn a bye and a home game, a win is an absolute necessity.
In the first meeting, Mackay had 23 points and the Warriors won by 12. Ben Chase led the Thunder with 20. This one comes down to the 3-point shot and 3-point defense. Also pivotal are rebounding and second-chance points.
— Compiled by Devin Dixon
Scorebook stat leaders
Two Region 9 athletes not only lead the 4A classification but the state as a whole: Hurricane’s Cayleb Jackman averages 5.7 blocks per game, and Dixie’s Jordan Roberts is at the top of the assist rankings at 11.8 per game.
Snow Canyon’s Owen Mackay leads all 4A scorers and is No. 4 statewide at 24.2 points per game. He also is No. 3 in points per 32 minutes at 26.1, followed by Dixie’s Kyle Lemke at 23.2 and Enterprise’s Treyson Whitman at 21.8
Canyon View is ranked No. 6 and has a first-round bye going into the 3A state tournament, which starts Wednesday.
Region 9 schedule for Wednesday, Feb. 14:
Dixie at Desert Hills, 7 p.m.
Crimson Cliffs at Pine View, 7 p.m.
Snow Canyon at Hurricane, 7 p.m.
Region 9 schedule for Friday, Feb. 16:
Cedar at Dixie, 7 p.m.
Hurricane at Pine View, 7 p.m.
Snow Canyon at Desert Hills, 7 p.m.
Region 9 boys basketball standings (overall, region):
Dixie (19-3, 10-0)
Snow Canyon (13-7, 7-3)
Desert Hills (13-8, 6-4)
Crimson Cliffs (11-10, 6-5)
Pine View (13-8, 5-5)
Cedar (4-18, 2-9)
Hurricane (5-16, 0-10)
Click here to view last Friday’s recap.
Beyond Region 9
Kanab (18-5) is ranked No. 1 and Enterprise (17-6) is No. 3 going into the 2A state tournament, which commences Wednesday. Both have first-round byes. No. 11 Beaver plays at Draper, and No. 15 Parowan plays at Maeser Prep Academy.
First- and second-round games will be played on the higher seed’s home court, and quarterfinal, semifinal and championship games will be played Feb. 22-24 at America First Event Center on the campus of Southern Utah University in Cedar City.