By Nicholas J. Pappas

| Special to The Tribune

Sandy • Early in the third quarter, West Jordan senior Jordan Loveridge raced down the court trailing a fast break. He followed up a missed shot with a one-handed, rim-rocking dunk. The star forward turned around and screamed, eliciting a chorus of boos from the Alta crowd and chest bumps from his teammates.

The dunk didn’t count — a foul was called prior — but the emotion was a signal that the Jaguars were ready to take control. After trailing by three at halftime, West Jordan outscored Alta 22-10 in the decisive third quarter en route to a 75-60 victory and sole possession of first place in Region 3.

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At a glance

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Highlights

West Jordan’s Jordan Loveridge finishes with 28 points — his highest total over the last 10 games — and goes 12-for-12 from the free-throw line.

» Seth Barrus finishes with 13 points — the second highest total of his career — and Jaden Jackson adds 11 for the Jaguars.

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"We think Alta is one of the best teams around," coach Scott Briggs said. "To be able to come here and play the way we did, especially defensively and rebounding, it takes a tremendous effort to beat a team that good and I’m really proud of them."

The Hawks started on fire in the first quarter. Senior forward Jarrett Anderson hit his first five shots to give Alta the early lead. West Jordan had trouble finding support on the offensive end. Loveridge and senior forward Seth Barrus combined for 26 of West Jordan’s 28 first-half points, while usually consistent Jaden Jackson struggled. The senior guard was 0 for 6 in the first half and ended the game shooting just 22 percent from the field.

Jackson regained his confidence in the second half, hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the third quarter and opening up the fourth quarter with another.

"He’s definitely always on the radar," Briggs said. "The other team has to know where he’s at, and he has to take some tough shots sometimes, but to go through a first half like that and come back and contribute to help us win just shows how mentally tough he is."