Utah Pump N Run Basketball

In general, it's hard to win three consecutive state championships, as it takes continuity, sustained hunger and the talent to actually make everything happen.

In Utah? The feat is almost impossible.

On Saturday night in the Class 5A title game, Lone Peak found this out the hard way as West Jordan defeated the heavily favored Knights 63-52, and halting Lone Peak's ambition at immortality before a large crowd at the E Center.

As a result, Lehi can rest easy as the Pioneers are the last team, from 1996-98, to win three straight championships. And Jordan is the last big school, way back in the 1950's when classifications consisted of an A and B division, to dominate in such impressive fashion.

None of that, or the humor of the situation, was lost on Scott Briggs, the Jags' coach.

"If there's a team that's won two straight state championships, I want to play them," Briggs said with the hint of a smile.

The Jaguars' victory capped a historic night in Utah prep basketball history, as West Jordan took on the taller Knights, went at them with its vaunted three-guard offense and never stopped fighting and scrapping for one second.

Nebraska signee Reyes Gallegos led all scorers with 22 points and four rebounds. He also drew the task of guarding Lone Peak's Tyler Haws, holding the BYU signee to 8-for-23 shooting from the floor, although Haws did score 20 points and grab nine rebounds.

Boise State signee Mason Sawyer scored 15 points and handed out seven assists, and Jordan Weireck added 15 points and eight rebounds for West Jordan.

Those three along with a big-time contribution from Tyson Udy, who scored nine points and grabbed eight rebounds, were enough for the Jaguars. West Jordan found itself down 35-26 midway through the third quarter. But the Jaguars went on a 15-6 run to tie the game 41-41.

"This team showed a lot of heart and courage," Briggs said. "We felt like we were supposed to win the game. Lone Peak got out to a 10-point lead, but we really responded as a team."

It was Gallegos who put the Jaguars ahead for good with a high-arcing three-pointer.