This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Olympus guard Matt Lindsey admitted the Titans were sluggish in warmups before their first-round game against Wasatch in the Class 4A boys' basketball tournament Tuesday at the University of Utah.
"Our warmup was lazy. We got to get better," Lindsey said. "We have to have a more competitive edge. … Everybody is walking around, casual shots. We got to clean it up a little bit."
That allowed the Wasps, the fourth-place qualifier from Region 8, to test the defending champions and top seed from Region 6.
It didn't last long.
Olympus (22-2) won its 19th straight game after exploding in the third quarter, outscoring the Wasps by 13 points in eight minutes, to easily advance into the quarterfinals with a 71-44 victory.
"At halftime we really got it going 'cause we came out better; better energy, better attitude," Lindsey said.
Lindsey tallied a team-high 23 points, with 12 in the second half, and sophomore guard Rylan Jones added 11 points and 10 assists, seven rebounds and four steals. Jones, a transfer from Logan, immediately set the tone for his team.
"Rylan is so good," Olympus coach Matt Barnes said. "He makes guys so good. He sees the floor and attacks it. … I think he's so dynamic. He plays both ends. He doesn't panic, he handles the pressure. He's very special. He makes us go. He's our motor. He's been fantastic."
Jeremy DowDell and Harrison Creer both scored 11 points in the win, while Cole Bennee contributed 10 points. It was another illustration of the depth the Titans possess. One of their top players — Travis Wagstaff — was held scoreless in nearly 19 minutes while hampered by a foot injury.
Olympus finished with 20 assists compared to five turnovers.
"That's what I'm all about. I love that. I'm an old-school guy," Barnes said. "I believe in playing the game a certain way and sharing the ball. If you'll just take good shots, make the extra pass and play together — good things happen."
As he has done all season, Eli Ballstaedt led Wasatch (11-13) with 24 points, five rebounds, two assists and two blocks. Garrett Watts, who scored 13, was the only other Wasp to reach the double-figure plateau.
"We like having the target on our backs," Lindsey said when asked if this postseason feels different as defending champions. "It makes us play better. Overall, we just got to stay together as a team and not get big-headed."
Twitter: @trevorphibbs —
Olympus 71, Wasatch 44
• Olympus outscores Wasatch by 20 points in the second half to easily advance into the quarterfinals.
• Matt Lindsey scored 23 points, while Rylan Jones added 11 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds and four steals.
• Eli Ballstaedt led all scorers with 24 points in the loss.