Orem » Timpview's team bond has strengthened over the past three weeks. With no games to play for 18 days over Christmas break, the Thunderbirds focused on practicing harder and longer. In the meantime, the players became closer. They trusted each other more. They learned to come together.

Timpview's 56-54 overtime victory over Lehi on Friday was proof of that.

"We learned if we play team defense and don't play selfish, we have all the potential," said Christian Covey, who finished with 11 points. "We have the potential to win region."

If the Thunderbirds play with the kind of composure they had down the stretch against the Pioneers, that's a big possibility.

Even though the game was close, Timpview had control throughout the game. After a dead-even first quarter, the Thunderbirds pulled away in the second.

A three-pointer by Ryan Sagers pushed the lead to 22-14, and a steal and a breakaway layup seconds before time expired in the half definitely gave Timpview the momentum.

"The game was kind of in our hands the whole time," Timpview coach Perry Wildeboer said. "Just not letting them take the lead."

A big key to that was containing Lehi's three-year starter in the middle, Will Walker. He did get his touches, finishing with a game-high 20 points and 15 rebounds, but the Thunderbirds frustrated him at times. That, combined with turnovers and missed free throws, kept Lehi from taking the lead in the last three quarters.

But Zach Stanley made back-to-back threes in the last minute to push the game to overtime with a 51-51 score.

The Pioneers were the first to score, but Timpview slowed things down, looked for good shots and above all, made free throws. Timpview was 15-for-22 from the free throw line, while Lehi was just 3-for-14.

"They took momentum, but we kept our composure," said Sagers, who finished with 10 points.

"Over the last three weeks, we've spent a lot of time together, practicing hard. We all just have grown up."