The Green River Pirate boys’ basketball team closed out the region season with a 44-40 victory over third-ranked in the state Monticello and the two teams will finish the season as co-region 19 champions for the 2014-15 season.
After the game the two teams held a coin flip and Monticello won the flip and will go into the 1-A Utah State tournament next week in Richfield as the number one seed from region 19.
The Pirates will go into the state tournament as the second seed out of region 19 and will play this Wednesday at 8:30 pm against the winner of the Tuesday game between Duchesne and the seventh place team from region 20 for the right to continue playing.
The Pirates defeated Duchesne earlier in the season with a 47-40 victory in Duchesne during the Eagle Classic tournament.
Against Monticello, Green River won the first quarter 14-10 and the second quarter 11-8 to lead at the half 25-18.
After the Buckaroos won the third quarter 10-5, the Pirate lead was down to 2 points and the fourth quarter was won by the Pirates 14-12 to gain the four-point win.
Jon Mendez led the team in scoring with 16 points. Tyrell Shumway and TJ Hughes each scored 7 points in the game and Corbin Mecham scored 6 points. Chance Pfander scored 5 points and Nick Corrigan closed out the scoring with 3 points.
Rich High School with an 18-4 season record is the top ranked team in 1A with Valley at 16-4 ranked second. Monticello was ranked third with a 14-5 record. Green River closed out the season with a 17-5 record.
Green River lost early in the season to Rich in a game played in Richfield as the Pirates fell behind early but then controlled the second half.
A win on Wednesday night will put the boys playing at 4 p.m. on Thursday.
Pirates finish as region co-champs with win over Monticello Head to state tourney in Richfield on Wed. at 8:30 p.m.
"Tyrell Shumway shoots foul shots."