(Alex Gallivan | Special to the Tribune) Kearns' Journey Buba (2) drives to the net during game action at Kearns High on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018.
Kearns • Call it Cougar chaos.
The Kearns boys’ basketball team is at its best when it is pressing all over the floor, stealing balls and making the opposing team nervous.
That’s what the Cougars did Friday night as they used their defense to break a fourth-quarter tie and earn a 57-46 victory over a good Granger team to stay unbeaten in Region 2.
Senior Journey Buba made the key fourth-quarter plays as the Cougars broke a 45-45 tie by scoring 10 straight points. Buba scored five of those, two off steals, to break open a tense battle.
“My coach said to step up our defense because we were slacking,” said Buba, who scored 10 of his 14 points in the second half. “I just took control as a leader and got our team the win. … We put a lot of pressure on them, and they got a little scared and started losing the ball.”
These were both quick, athletic teams capable of forcing turnovers by the bushel. The game between the two westside rivals wasn’t pretty, but it was entertaining.
“Our object is to create chaos and create some havoc,” said Kearns coach Dan Cosby, whose team improved to 10-2 overall and 4-0 in league play. “We want to make them nervous. We play full court the whole game.”
Cosby praised Buba’s effort.
“Journey is our best defensive guy,” the veteran coach said. “He has a motor that goes continuously, and we’ve got to ride his back. … Our guys get energy from him.”
David Andrew led Kearns with 18 points, while Majok Kuath added 16.
Granger, which got 16 from Anel Algic, who was hounded most of the night by Buba, never led in the game but hung close enough to scare the home team until the final four minutes.
That’s when Buba turned up the defense. In the end, the Lancers just couldn’t answer the final Kearns push.
KEARNS 57, GRANGER 46 <br>• Journey Buba scores 10 of his 14 points in the second half, including five along with two steals in a decisive 10-0 run to keep Kearns unbeaten in Region 2. <br>• Kearns’ David Andrew leads all scorers with 18 points, while Majok Kuath adds 16. <br>• Anel Algic leads a good Granger team with 16 points.