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Show . f ' N v' " ' ' A ,.- ..... k ' ' . , i Z. ' 1 , v- "" . I r: - 1 1 J! ft . ' f ' -t ' f ' i r i - ':. - v I l' : f t ' davis county clipper SHAUN STAHLE When Bountiful's Steve Hibbert and Matt Thornley put the squeeze on Houskeeper, it opened open-ed up the game for people like Todd Robinson, (left). I ! " " v ! i( ., - VI- Tv P flaws coonly dipper RON BOS WELL Hous was strong either shooting... I 1 y, ' :'i ' . k 4 : ' f: ' "'. ' v . ''; f ) C'-fi y, i - - : i - , : , ! j ' or sweeping the boards. With A Strong Supporting Cast Giant Greg Cleans 'Hobs5 By DAVE WIGHAM Clipper Sports BOUNTIFUL - It all depends on how you want to look at it. Bountiful faithfuls claim their team just plain didn't shoot that well while the Wildcat fans credit that to intimidating intimidat-ing defense. No matter how you look at it though, the Woods Cross team came away big winners last week as they handed the home team Braves a 56-50 region setback. THAT LEAVES the Cats all alone at the top of the heap with a perfect 5-0 mark with the Braves still right on their heels at 4-1. It was a strange type of ballgame in that both sides had good leads yet both of them actually had a chance to win the game in the final minutes. mi-nutes. Bountiful came out like gangbusters and quickly led 10-4 but the Cats slowly but surely cut into that lead to trail by one, 16-15, after the first period. DURING THE second eight minutes these two powerhouses traded basket for basket with neither of them able to take command. Bountiful was going inside a lot to the likes of Matt Thornley and Steve Hibbert while the Cats were getting their points from the perimeter peri-meter from Todd Robinson and Race McCleery, but when the Braves tried to cover the outside scoring, the Cats simply dumped the ball inside to one Mr. Houskeeper. While we're on the subject of Houskeeper, let's be certain to mention that although this was a team victory, it was Greg Houskeeper that was the difference in this game. Not only did he come up with a game high 30 points, but he was a menace to the Braves offense all evening. When he wasn't blocking shots, Greg's mere presence in the middle must have been on the minds of the Bountiful big people because they weren't able to capitalize even when they did get the ball inside. THE GAME was billed as a classic matchup between two of the states best prep clubs and the first half was nothing short of that with the Cats holding a slim 24-23 advantage heading ' into the lockers. Woods Cross took advantage of poor shooting shoot-ing by the Braves as they pulled away a little in the third period on the strength of Houskeeper inside. THEN CAME the big quarter, the fourth and final one. Both sides seemed to be ready for this great eight minute span as both of them came out with determination in their eyes. Boutniful soon cut into the lead and then with about four minutes showing the Cats had their six point edge and the clubs started trading buckets and missing foul shots. Woods Cross missed enough foul shots down the stretch to pull away for a comfortable lead while the Braves missed enough to have caught up with them. THE BRAVES were forced to go to a full court man-to-man press in the final stages of the battle but when they did, the Cats found Houskeeper under the bucket for three easy layups to ice the victory. Blake Izatt got hot in the final minutes to keep the Bountiful fans in faith but in the end the Cats were winners 56-50. "I was pleased with the way we played" screamed an excited Wayne Baker over a celebrating team in the background, "especially "especial-ly for Greg Houskeeper. He's had good success suc-cess this year but many people have said it's against smaller and weaker opponents, now he's proven he can play with anyone." Houskeeper Hous-keeper led the Cats with his 30 point effort while Race McCleery added 15. Thornley led the Braves with 19 followed by Izatt with 12. MAYBE this game wasn't in the classic class but it was a dandy to watch. The one thing that came out of all of it was the fact that the fans were watching two of the best clubs in the state go head to head. |