On Wednesday night, Carbon hosted a region game against the Juab Wasps. These two teams went back and forth in their first meeting earlier this season before Carbon sputtered in the second half to take the loss. The rematch did not disappoint as it was another back and forth affair.
Carbon was able to gain a one-score advantage in the first quarter to go up 19-16. The Wasps would trim the deficit to two to go into the midway point down 33-31. Neither team could gain ground over the other in the third quarter. Both teams scores 11 points and then it was on to the final period.
Juab regained a slight lead in the fourth to go up 45-44. The Dinos responded with a 9-2 run to go up 53-47. The Wasps answered back with a 9-0 run of their own to recapture control, 56-53. Carbon did not fold but showed heart. Derek Hillam’s spinning drive and fade away at the top of the key went on to put the Dinos back to within one with two minutes left.
Carbon got a couple stops on the other end and then, with under a minute in the contest, Hillam was fouled attempting a shot. He made both free throws for the Dinos to take the lead back, 57-56. The Wasps went down the court and made a six-footer for yet another lead change, 58-57. With under 30 seconds to go in the game, Colin Lewis received the ball down-low and shot a turn around jumper on the baseline that went off the glass and in. The clutch shot put Carbon up again, 59-58.
Juab called a timeout with 17 seconds left to draw up a play. The Wasps inbounded the pass and began working the ball around the perimeter, looking for a hole in the Carbon defense. When a Juab player began to penetrate to the basket, Hillam left his player to help on defense and exploded up to block the shot. Lewis was there to scoop up the lose ball and seal the victory for the Dinos. Lewis’ shot became the game winner as the Dinos upset the Wasps 59-58.
Hillam led all scorers with 28 points. Lewis ended with eight points and tied Braxton Bennett for a team-high seven rebounds. Ty Anderson had a good game with 13 points, five assists and four steals. The Dinos took extremely good care of the ball and only gave up two turnovers in the tight contest.
Carbon (6-12, 3-5 Region 14) is back at it tonight at home to take on the Providence Hall Patriots (13-3, 7-0 Region 14) who are undefeated in region thus far. The game will be broadcast on ETV Channel 10 and online.
Photos by Jeff Barrett
