After having defeated Wayne in a play-in game, the Green River Pirates traveled to Richfield and participated in the 1-A Utah State basketball tournament. Green River defeated Wayne 52-46 behind Kayden Mecham’s 17 points. With the loss, Wayne was through for the season.
Unfortunately, Green River’s first opponent would be the Duchesne Tigers, the first place team out of their region and the team that would end up finishing second in the tournament. Duchesne defeated Green River 53-42 after the Pirates went cold in the third quarter and only scored two points. Escalante defeated Duchesne for the state title 49-41.
Green River then dropped into the consolation bracket and defeated Tintic 62-58 on Thursday as the Pirates came from behind in the fourth quarter to win the game. Tintic had led 51-45 when the fourth quarter began.
On Friday, Milford stopped the Pirates 64-48 and sent Green River home. Green River was in the game as the fourth quarter began but the Pirates were outscored 31-19 in that final period to let the game slip away from them.
Against Wayne, besides Mecham’s 17 points, Jason and Tyson Johnson also finished the game in double figures. Jason scored 12 points and Tyson scored 11 points. Brennan Bigelow scored six points including a made 3-pointer, Holden Marshall scored four points and Justin Johnson scored two points. Mecham also made a 3-pointer.
Against Duchesne, Bigelow was the leading scorer with 16 points including a pair of 3’s. Tyson scored 14 points to finish in double figures again, Jason and Mecham each scored six points and Justin made a 3-pointer for his only points.
Jason Johnson led the way for Green River on Thursday against Tintic as he scored 23 points. Mecham finished with 13 points to also score in double figures. Bigelow scored nine points, Tyson scored eight points, Marshall scored sixpoints and Justin made another 3-pointer to end with three points. Brennan, Holden and Kayden also each hit a 3-pointer in the game.
Tyson Johnson became the fourth different leading scorer in the state games when he led the team against Milford with 16 points. Jason was right behind with 13 points, Mecham scored nine points, Bigelow scored seven points, Justin scored two points and Caleb White scored one point in the game.
Brennan Bigelow and Tyson Johnson were seniors on this season’s team while Mecham was a junior. Justin was a freshman.
Green River Pirates finish up basketball at State Tourney
"Jason Johnson struggles to hold onto the rebound amid tough defense by Tintic."