Pine View escapes upset bid by Canyon View with clutch defense in overtime

The Pine View Panthers (1-0) boys basketball team got its 2021-'22 season off to a positive and exciting start, beating former in-region rival Canyon View (1-2) 66-62 in overtime.

With the game tied at 62 with under 15 seconds remaining, Bensen Shepherd converted a layup to give the Panthers a two-point lead. On the ensuing inbound, Turner Williams and Nash Schroeder double-teamed Andrew Barnes, forcing a turnover and creating an easy layup by Williams to seal the game for Pine View in front of a raucous home crowd on opening night.

At Monday's media day, Williams said he focuses on things that don't show up on the stat sheet, but the steal and score will wind up there, and in the highlight reel.

Williams, who was previously at Beaver High, made an immediate impact on the court for head coach Ryan Eves.

"It's a team sport, man," Williams said. "We locked up. I wouldn't have been able to steal if Nash didn't clamp up there. Luckily I got the opportunity that's about it, it's the team."

Williams was also clutch on the gridiron for Pine View, hauling in a game-winning touchdown to defeat top-seeded Desert Hills in the state playoffs.

"His heart," said Eves, showing with his hands how big Williams' heart is. "He's what, 5'10"? He's a winner. I thought him and Bensen (Shepherd) were unbelievable."

Shepherd led the way with 21 for Pine View.

Early on, it looked as though it would be a breeze for Pine View, as the Panthers jumped out to a 9-0 and forced Canyon View to take a timeout a minute and a half into the game.

The Falcons rallied — as they did all night — on the shooting of guards Jace Farrow, David Evans, and Andrew Barnes.

"He hit some tough shots," said Eves on Evans. "We kind of knew that but I thought on defense we weren't necessarily bad but they hit some tough shots."

Farrow finally got the Falcons on the board with a corner three, and later hit a transition triple to cut the Pine View lead to one at 13-12.

"They switched it up on us," said Eves. "They ran a 2-3 defense on us there and I tried to get my guys in their spots and we struggled. That's (our) first game and that's their third game, they shot the ball well."

Barnes connected on a jumper and then buried a deep three to put Canyon View on top. A bucket from Barnes closed the quarter and put a cap on a 19-6 run to end the first.

Both teams struggled to score in the second quarter, and Pine View took a 25-24 lead heading into the break.

The Panthers managed to open up a seven points lead in the final two minutes of the third, but a Xavier Kadous and-one and an Evans three — breaking the ankles of Kameron Larsen in the process — cut the lead to four at the end of the third.

Evans drilled another three on the first possession of the fourth to cut the lead to one.

With Pine View leading 54-51 with 2:35 to go, Evans was fouled taking a three-point shot. Eves, frustrated with the call, was hit with a technical foul. Evans made all three free throws, and Barnes hit the two technical shots to put Canyon View up two.

Another free throw had the Falcons up 57-54.

A pair of Shepherd free throws cut the lead back to one, before another free throw by Evans made it a two-point game.

On Pine View's next possession, Shepherd converted an and-one following a steal to put Pine View back on top.

Barnes converted an up-and-under layup with 23.5 to go, and Canyon View took the lead right back.

Shepherd hit a pair with 16.7 to go, giving Pine View a 61-60 lead. Barnes was fouled with seven seconds left and made 1/2 at the line with to set the stage for the overtime theatrics by the Panthers.

"The play we put in at the end was something we haven't really gotten to," said Eves. "Turner and Rushton (Shaw) are two of our main contributors and they had their first practice yesterday."

The guard trio of Eans, Farrow, and Barnes combined for 46 points, led by Evans' 17 and Barnes' 18.

Shaw finished with 12 points off the bench. Scott Fullmer finished with 11.

Despite going 6-16 a year ago, the Panthers were 5-1 in games decided by five points or less.

"We work on situational plays very often," said Shepherd. "We've practiced situations exactly like that. We just want to hustle."

The one win for Pine View last season that wasn't won by five points or less was a 59-44 win over Canyon View.

Sean Ellertson is a sports reporter for the St. George Spectrum & Daily News. To continue to support his work, please subscribe to The Spectrum. Follow Sean on Twitter @SeanEllertson.

This article originally appeared on St. George Spectrum & Daily News: Pine View escapes upset bid by Canyon View with clutch defense in overtime