The Pinnacle and Green River boy’s basketball teams met for final time in the 2022-2023 season on Thursday in Richfield. Two times they met in Region 23 play this season, with Pinnacle winning both. This time Green River used a big fourth to get back into the game but the Panthers did just enough to hold the lead and take the 46-43 win.
The Panthers road to Richfield started last Saturday at home when they welcomed in Dugway, dismantling them 61-30. Then in their second round match-up they met up with Wendover falling to the Wildcats 64-41.
The Pirates had a similar journey taking a forfeit victory from Diamond Ranch Academy, but then ran into No. 2 seed Manila falling 75-24.
The first half was played just the way you felt like it would, last time these two teams got together it become a slugfest going in to double over time. This time around, neither team was in any hurry to take over control, and that would carry into the the second half as the Panthers would take a slim lead 21-18 into halftime.
The second half was a tale of two quarters. In the third, it was all Pinnacle putting up 17 while their defense would hold Green River to seven. The fourth quarter was all Pirates, as they would score 18 in the fourth pushing to get the Panthers into overtime or take the lead, but Pinnacle did just enough to hold on for the three point win.
For the Pirates, Joe Vollmer and Luis Hernandez each scored 14 with Bridjer Meadows adding six.
Cole Barton led the way for the Panthers with 18 and nine boards. Jonathan Kessler added 11 with six rebounds and three assists and Ryker Howell had ten with a pair of assists and steals.
For the Green River Pirates the season comes to an end with an overall record of 11-16 and a Region 23 mark of 2-6. The Pirates will lose just one player to graduation as they say goodbye to Bridjer Meadows.
The Panthers will live to play another day when they meet the Monticello Buckaroos, Friday at 1.
A win moves Pinnacle to face the winner of the Wayne/Bryce Valley contest for a sixth place finish Saturday, and of course a loss ends their season.