ST. GEORGE – Accompanied by police escort, the Pine View Panthers returned home Saturday night, bringing their high school its third state basketball championship after beating Region 9 rival Dixie, 46-43, in the 3A championship game in West Valley City.
Family, friends, faculty and students gathered with cheers of congratulations to welcome the team home.
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SEE THE FINAL GAME REPORT HERE: 3A Championship: Panther party as Pine View outlasts Dixie; STGNews videocast
Amid chants of the Pine View High School fight song and screams and cheers, the Panthers couldn’t hold in the excitement for the victory.
“We feel pretty awesome,” senior forward Jed Newby said about the state championship victory. “Just knowing that we’re the best in 3A and all the hard work we put in this season paid off – it’s an amazing feeling.”
The team’s last state championship was in 2007, also pitting them against Dixie High School.
It was a bit trying to get to the championship, coach Darrell Larsen said, as junior center Cody Ruesch broke his leg Monday and senior guard Garrett Bowker missed one game. Larsen said the team overcame a lot and showed the resiliency of the team.
“It’s a great day for us all,” he said. “It’s a great day to be a Panther.”
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- 3A Boys State Basketball’s drive to the title: Pine View Panthers
- 3A Boys State Basketball’s drive to the title: Desert Hills Thunder
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