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Heber City • It was a girls' basketball game that meant nothing but eventually might mean a lot.

That was the only way to describe Wasatch's 40-37 upset victory over Region 8 champion Springville Thursday night in the last game before state.

The Red Devils had already wrapped up the league title and, thanks to a Maple Mountain win earlier Thursday, the Wasps knew they were playing for a third and not a second seed.

But the chance to gain some momentum going into next week's Class 4A state tournament and some experience in a pressure-packed situation could help the Wasps.

"This was good for our girls going into state to end on a positive note and knowing we could beat anybody," said Wasatch coach Norman Hayter, whose team dropped a double overtime heartbreaker at Springville earlier in the year. "That's a really good team, as good as anybody in the state."

While Lexy McKay led the balanced Wasatch scoring attack with nine points, the Wasps game MVP might have been sophomore sub center Tori Dorius. Wasatch struggled early in the game with Springville's inside game. Cheyanne Brown, who led all scorers with 14, and Savannah Sumsion dominated early.

But the 6-foot-2 Dorius grabbed several rebounds and provided the inside presence that forced Springville to shoot from outside.

"It was definitely one of the hardest games I have ever played," said Dorius. "Their big girls are strong and they are good."

Still, Springville appeared to have things under control when the Red Devils opened the second half with a 10-0 run.

But Wasatch kept chipping away before taking the lead early in the fourth quarter.

Springville fought back to within 38-37 with 1:37 to play on a 3-pointer by Kami Warner. While Wasatch struggled from the line, hitting only three free throws in the final 2:05, the Wasps got just enough for the upset.

In the end, it didn't mean much, except that it gave the young Wasatch girls confidence going into state.

Twitter @tribtomwharton —

Storylines

• Sophomore Tori Dorius comes off the bench to provide defense and rebounding as Wasatch upsets Springville.

• Cheyanne Brown scores 14 points for Springville to lead all scorers.

• Springville still wins Region 8, but Wasatch helps its state seeding with the win.