| Joey Keller finishes a drive to the hoop with a hard earned deuce. |
When Uintah High came calling to open the Carbon boy’s basketball season, the outcome was left hanging until the final second of the game. As Tyler Bean’s shot bounced off the rim and the buzzer sounded the two teams fought for the rebound and Uintah took home a two point win over the Dinos- 59-61.
Carbon shooters started cold in the first quarter with several shots just missing.
Uintah used its speed and ran the fast break offense against the Dinos most of the night.
In the second quarter the play was physical with players sprawled across the floor as they fought for each possession.
Carbon had a slight edge as the teams headed for the locker room.
The Dinos came out flat in the third and the Utes took advantage. But even as they struggled, Carbon never let the game get away and battled back after each run the Utes made with one of their own.
Coach Bianco came down hard on his squad during the break, before the fourth quarter began.
The Dinos reacted and came out with fire, controlling the boards to get back the lead they had squandered in the third.
The fourth quarter became a back and forth affair, the lead changing with almost with every possession.
In the end the Utes were able to hold on as the clock ran out and take the win.
Coach Bianco felt like there were some really positive things to come out of the loss. “The team hustled most of the game. We have a lot to learn,” he said. “This is just the beginning of a long road ahead. We had a good fourth quarter, it was the third that hurt us. We can’t get satisfied and back off.”
Joey Keller put up 19 points to lead all scorers in the game. Blake Najera hit some crucial shots, especially a three late in the game. He came away with seven.
Tysen Stevens had eight and Eric Buchmiller had nine points for the Dinos. Bean, Jason Child and Ryan Rasmussen each hit a long three at critical times to keep the Dinos in the game.
The Dinos will resume action on Nov. 29 at the Warrior Challenge in Colorado.
When the Dinos have their A game on they have done well over the state line.