Lady Pirates head to state as region champs

By GARY ARRINGTON Sports writer

Lady Pirates claim region 19 title, boys in hunt.
With victories over Monument Valley and Navajo Mountain last week, the Green River High Lady Pirates have gone undefeated in region 19 play and are this season’s champions. The Lady Pirates are now set for a 5:30 p.m. game this Wednesday at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield in the state 1-A playoffs.
Green River defeated Monument Valley 65-44 and then defeated Navajo Mountain 91-28.
Brandi Webster led the team in the game against Monument Valley with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Webster followed up that game with 18 points against Navajo Mountain.
Green River built a 10 point first quarter lead, increased it to 20 points at the half, increased it further to 28 points after three and then cruised home.
Cady Mecham scored 12 points in the game, Courtney Carter scored nine points, Bailie Packer and Lindsey Spadafora added six points each and Sarah Swalberg, Megan Hatt, Crosby Hatt and Tracy Engleman each scored two points.
Green River had a 24-0 lead against Navajo Mountain after the first quarter, increased it to 45-9 at the half and won really big. Crosby Hatt led the way with 20 points. Mecham and Spadafora added 12 points, Carter scored eight points with Packer scoring six points, Megan Hatt scored five points, Swalberg scored four points and Brittney Bastian, Trejo and Melissa Antillon scoring two points each.
The boy’s team defeated Grand 58-55 on a Brennan Bigelow last second 3-pointer and Navajo Mountain 74-37 as the Johnson brothers had 40 points in the game. They lost to Dugway 57-37. Green River is fighting for playoff position in the tournament that begins March 4 in Richfield.
Kayden Mecham led the team with 21 points against Grand while Bigelow scored nine points. Jason Johnson and Tyson Johnson each scored 12 points in the win. Holden Marshall scored four points.
In the non-region contest against Dugway, Green River fell behind early and never made a serious run after that. Tyson scored 10 points to lead the team and Kayden added nine points. Holden Marshall, Jason Johnson and Kayden each scored five points and Justin Johnson added three points.
Against Navajo Mountain, Green River got off to a great start by outscoring the Jaguars 31-8 in the opening quarter of play. Jason Johnson scored 19 points, Justin Johnson scored 13 points and Tyson Johnson added eight points as the brothers played well. Kayden Mecham added eight points with Brennan Bigelow, Holden Marshall and Cody Seager scoring six points each. Adam Steuer scored four points and Caleb White scored two points.
The boys will host Whitehorse in a rematch game with the Pirates looking for revenge for an earlier loss. That game is Wednesday.