The Steve Hodson Classic takes place in Cedar City every December to celebrate the life of Hodson who was known throughout Southern Utah for his love of basketball. The Dino Boy’s team played three games in as many days finishing the weekend at 2-1.
Hodson coached men’s teams at Dixie College (Utah Tech), Southern Utah University, Cedar High School, and Canyon View High School. He also coached women’s teams at Canyon View and Southern Utah. He passed away in November 2008 after a battle with cancer. Since 2012, the tournament has been held in his honor.
Carbon started out the weekend with their first game on Thursday taking on 4A Hurricane. The Tigers sit at 7-5 overall and hold the No. 6 spot in the latest RPI.
Hurricane took control of the game early, scoring 19 in the first quarter and clamping down on Carbon defensively, allowing just 10 points. The Tigers would keep their momentum moving forward into the second, scoring 21, while the Dinos were able to add 13. However, they would go into the locker room down 40-23 at halftime.
In the second half, Carbon couldn’t find any offense scoring just seven in the third quarter while Hurricane added another 21, widening their lead, and continuing into the fourth taking the 71-41 win.
Evan Lancaster led the Dinos with 11 adding five rebounds and a pair of steals. Cannon Mortensen had nine with four rebounds, three steals, and three assists. Ty Mortensen scored eight with two rebounds in the loss.
Up next for the Dinos was the Panguitch Bobcats. The Bobcats sit at 11-3 and hold the No. 5 spot in the recent 1A RPI.
The two teams started quietly in the first quarter with the Dinos having a slight lead at the end of the quarter 14-12, but it was the second when Carbon took control scoring 18 and defensively holding the Bobcats to 10, taking a 32-22 lead to the locker room at the half.
In the third, Carbon kept their lead as they outscored Panguitch, 17-15 as they headed to the final eight minutes. In the fourth, the Bobcats would outscore the Dinos by a margin of just two points, and Carbon would take the 61-51 win.
Cannon Mortensen put up 22 in the contest for the Dinos adding four assists and three rebounds. Lancaster had 11 with four steals and three rebounds. Carter Branch and Ty Mortensen each scored seven with Mortensen adding 13 rebounds and a pair of steals, and Branch had six rebounds.
The final contest of the weekend was against the Parowan Rams. Parowan is sitting at 3-9 on the season and holds the No. 16 spot in the latest 2A RPI. Both teams were fairly matched in the game but Carbon would earn the 64-52 win.
The Rams would take a slight edge in the first taking a 12-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. Carbon fought back in the second scoring 21, but Parowan was close behind putting up 17 as the Dinos closed out the half taking a 32-29 lead.
In the third Carbon put up 14 and once again the Bobcats kept things close adding 11 and staying within striking distance at 46-40. The Dinos could see the finish line in sight in the final eight minutes outscoring Parowan by six closing out the game and taking the 64-52 win.
Cannon Mortensen and Carter Warburton each scored 13 in the game with Warburton adding seven assists and three rebounds, Mortensen added four boards. Lancaster had 12 with four rebounds and three steals and Ty Mortensen scored 10 with eight rebounds, five blocks, and three assists in the win.
Carbon will get back to the court on January 3 when they will travel to take on Manti.