Third quarter struggles doomed the Carbon Dinos in a season ending 69-56 loss to the Grand Red Devils in the opening round of the 3A State Tournament Saturday night at Wasatch High School in Heber.

Trailing 24-18 at the end of the first half, the Dinos were outscored 23-11 in the third quarter. Carbon responded by outscoring Grand in the final quarter, but was unable to get back within striking distance for a win.

Junior Derek Hillam scored a team best 19 points to lead Carbon in the season finale. Ryan Gagon helped pace the offense with 18 points and a team-high six rebounds. Ryker Smith and Jordan Vasquez each scored six.

Entering the State Tournament as the No. 5 seed from Region 14, Carbon had won two of its last three games of the regular season. The loss to Grand dips Carbon to 0-4 against Region 15 opponents in the 2017-18 campaign.

Cameron Hoppensteadt poured in a game-high 23 points to lead the Red Devils in the win. Alex Williams and Masen Ward both scored 12, while Brayden Schultz ended with eight points and ten boards.

Stay tuned to Castle Country Radio for a complete season recap of the 2017-18 Carbon boy’s basketball season in the coming days.

**Photo Courtesy of ETV 10 News**