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Orem • Wasatch Academy, founded in 1875, might be one of Utah's oldest high schools. But since it is tucked away in tiny Mt. Pleasant about two hours from the Wasatch Front and plays an independent schedule, it can be easy to ignore.
But the Tigers made some noise this weekend in the Free Tax USA Shootout, falling by three points in Mt. Pleasant to Lone Peak on Thursday and then recording two big wins, including a 73-60 victory over Timpview on Saturday afternoon.
Wasatch Academy star Koby McEwen, a Utah State commit who scored 25 of his game-high 30 points in the second half, said playing and winning games against in-state opponents is important.
"There is a lot of smack talk and a lot of bragging rights in the state," he said. "That gives you the edge. It is fun to play against guys you actually know."
The team, which dominated 1A and then 2A for three years, went independent to face more of a challenge. It plays out of state against some top national competition.
Wasatch Academy had plenty of excuses to lose Saturday. The Tigers didn't find out who they were playing until about 11:45 p.m. Friday as organizers of the round robin tournament scrambled the schedule. Starting center Jackson Rowe was not going to play. And, according to coach Curtis Condie, his team was still a little "punch drunk" from losing that emotional home game to Lone Peak.
Thus, it wasn't surprising Wasatch Academy fell behind by 10 points early to a good Timpview squad. When McEwen went to the bench with two fouls early in the second quarter, the Tigers looked to be in trouble.
But with McEwen, Shamiel Stevenson. Emmanuel Akot and Josip Selcuk all having their moments offensively and defensively, Wasatch Academy pulled away from a 28-25 halftime deficit to leads as large as 13 points.
Timpview got two 3-pointers from Colson Santiago, who led the Thunderbirds with 20 points, late in the game to cut Wasatch Academy's lead to 66-60, but McEwen and Stevenson hit free throws to preserve the win.
"Sometimes you go through stretches when things are not working for you but you have to stay positive," said McEwen. "I knew that, in the second half, if we stayed positive, everything would work out."
Condie praised McEwen for his mental toughness and said that his star payer turned downed offers from ACC, SEC and Big 12 schools to play at Utah State.
"We fought through some adversity," said Condie, whose team improved to 9-1. "Koby is so mentally tough. He came out ready to play. I know the guys in Logan are looking forward to getting him."
Timpanogos made the most of its only appearance in the tournament by dominating Charlotte Christian of North Carolina 57-37, playing some great defense in the process.
The Timberwolves showed great balance with Casey Hamilton scoring 11 and Seth Berlin and Tyler Walker each adding 10.
This one was over early as Timpanogos used a stifling defense to lead 26-13 at halftime and was never seriously threatened.
In the day's first game, Las Vegas' Foothill defeated California's Fremont 79-74 behind Maurico Smith's 17 points.
Twitter @tribtomwharton —
Storylines
R Wasatch Academy's Koby McEwen scores 25 of his game-high 30 points in second half.
• The Tigers finish 2-1 after three games in Shootout after losing by three points at home to Lone Peak on Thursday.
• Colson Santiago scores 20 for Timpview.
Other Games
Timpanogos 57, Charlotte Christian 37 • Casey Hamilton scored 11 points, and Seth Berlin and Tyler Walker added 10 each as the Timberwolves made the most of their only appearance in the tournament by beating the North Carolina school.
Foothill 79, Fremont 74 • Maurico Smith scored 17 points as the Las Vegas school beat the California school.