Recap of the game: Timpview Boys Basketball faced their rivals, Orem High School.This game was huge, and the gym was completely packed. There were even some Timpview students who got to the Thunderdome at 3:30 p.m. to get a front row seat in the student section for the game. This game was such a big event, that the BYU Head Basketball Coach, Kevin Young, came to watch.

The game was headlined by two 4-star recruits, Chamberlin Burgess from Orem and Dean Rueckert from Timpview. Timpview had a tremendous first quarter defensively and offensively. The boys were able to get up by 11 points by the quarter, ending 17-6 with the Thunderbirds winning. However, Orem performed much stronger throughout the second quarter. Orem demonstrated much toughness, so much so, that Orem role player, Ryker Mikkelsen, cheap-shotted Dean Rueckert by simply jumping on him. The first half of the game ended with a score of 34-24, for the Thunderbirds.

The third quarter was a lesser performance by Timpview. Orem came out with way more energy and valued every position they had. They went on a 15-point run, which was able to tie up the game. Even still, Timpview came out of the third quarter up by 2 points. The score at the end of the third quarter was 43-41 for Timpview. The fourth quarter was a bad showing by Timpview, as they panicked. Timpview was shooting fast, they shot it within 5 seconds of Orem scoring. Then, Orem was able to capitalize on this, and hit good shots. After this, Orem easily won the game. 

Opinion: What happened to Timpview Basketball Friday night? It was an awful performance. The Timpview coach ran the shot-clock down to about 10 seconds, and ran an iso-play. Timpview’s player kept catching it near the logo, which is really deep. Orem was able to put a great defender on him, and he shut down Timpview’s main player. He only scored 8 points the entire game.

Another problem with this game is that Timpview’s team doesn’t want to share the ball. This made it seem like every player wanted to score 30 points themselves, a selfish quality. Their only true point guard is Aisa Galea’i, and he did a great job with 17 points and 4 assists. He is the only reason why Timpview was in the game. Additionally, there is no motion in their offense; If you’re on defense it’s easy to guard Timpview. For the majority of the time, they have someone drive, and you more than likely know he’s not going to pass the ball to the corner, so you can go double it.

Orem had their big step up and he changed every shot Timpview put up in the paint. Another problem is that Timpview hasn’t changed their offense scheme against Orem in the past 2 years. Orem’s team had enough film and practice that they were able to read every play perfectly, and that’s why their plays weren’t nearly effective. One of the worst things was that they got ‘out-dawged’ in the second half. None of them acted like they really wanted to win, besides Aisa. They didn’t want to play defense, they thought they could shoot their way to a win. It didn’t happen, and they didn’t get the result they wanted.

I truly do want Timpview’s team to be great, but I see problems within. Timpview will play Orem again on February 7th in the Fieldhouse. But before that, they take on Springville back in the Thunderdome, January 21st @ 7pm. We wish them luck in their next game on Tuesday!