The Pirates from Green River traveled to Spanish Fork to battle against the Meridian Mongoose and battle they did. Playing Meridian was a hard fought battle with the Pirates coming out victorious against a rival who in past years didn’t quite give them the same challenge.
The Green River Pirates came out strong in the first quarter with a 13-4 run but fell apart in the second scoring only three points to the Mongoose’s 11 leading the teams into half time with the Pirates up by one.
Coach White’s half time chat gave the Pirates a boost scoring 17 to the Mongoose 13. Entering the fourth quarter the Pirates owned a 33-28 lead but it wasn’t nearly enough. The Mongoose were determined to defend their home court (held at the Utah County Armory) and never gave up. The game was fast paced and seemed to get a bit out of control down the stretch.
With 28 seconds left in the game, the Pirates enjoyed a 39 to 46 lead thanks in part to a made basket by Tre Burton and Kaden Mecham (who was at the line alone on an intentional foul).
With 11 seconds left the Pirates were still hanging on by a thread when Justin Johnson took one to the nose sending him and his bleeding nose to the line for two.
The final score was 48-42 with excitement up to the very end.
Green River outscored the Grand County Devils in three out of the four quarters for a 68-50 non region victory. Jason Johnson scoring big with 32 points and Kayden Mecham adding 24. Others scoring were Justin Johnson with eight, and Diego Mendoza with four.
Green River downs Meridian and Grand
"Kayden Mecham scores 24 points against Grand."