This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Richfield • Waterford had a lot going against it during its Class 2A boys' basketball state semifinal against North Summit on Friday night at the Sevier Valley Center.
The Ravens were the obvious underdogs based on an earlier 68-53 loss to the Braves. They brought few fans and no cheerleaders. And most important, they trailed for most of the game.
But Waterford rallied behind the play of Jackson Sponaugle and Alexander Priskos in the fourth quarter to take a 59-55 victory and advance to Saturday's title game against Layton Christian.
Waterford's only state boys' basketball championship came in 2002 when it was a 1A school.
The Ravens trailed by as many as 10 points in the third quarter but rallied to take the lead early in the fourth period.
That's when Sponaugle sandwiched a 3-pointer between two Priskos baskets. The two Ravens stars had a big fourth quarter in a tense battle with the Braves. Priskos hit two free throws with 2:05 left to give Waterford the lead then added a bucket. North Summit's Jace Richins kept his team close, but free throws by Sponaugle, Connor Brennan and Andrew McSlarrow preserved the win.
Priskos scored eight points, while Sponaugle added seven to cap a stirring comeback.
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Waterford 59, North Summit 55
• Waterford rallies behind Jackson Sponaugle and Alexander Priskos from 10 down in the third quarter to pull out a thriller.
• Ravens lost to North Summit 68-53 earlier in the season.
• Tyler Coleman has a big night on the boards for the Braves.