The Carbon High girls basketball team will begin the post season this weekend by hosting a preliminary game against Canyon View High from Cedar City on Saturday at 7 p.m.. The preliminary game will determine whether the Dinos will compete in the state tournament which is to be held February 28 through March 2 in St. George.
It is expected that the Dinos will defeat the Falcons on Saturday and move on to the state tourney next week. The Dinos have finished the season with an 8-0 record in region eight competition and 18-2 record overall this season. The Falcons on the other hand completed the season with a 11-9 overall record. Simply by comparing numbers, it looks as if the Dinos have the upper hand, but for those who have watched the Dino team compete, their skills speak for themselves.
According to Dino head coach Bruce Bean, the Carbon girls have a good chance of defeating the Falcons and advancing to the state championships. “Canyon View is a young team that has only four seniors. They are not big in size, but they are quick. They don’t seem to like to run the floor much, therefore we will play heavy defense against them. Although they have not had a huge season, they have been playing better lately and we are ready for them,” explained Bean.
The head coach for the Falcons is Steve Hodson who has lead three separate Cedar City boys basketball teams to state championships. Despite this fact, the Dinos realize that by numbers alone, they are a better team than Canyon View.
“I don’t expect Canyon View to score many points Saturday. Hopefully, our defense will see to that,” explained Bean.
The winner of Saturdays game will meet the winner of the Bear River and Judge Memorial game which is also to be played this weekend. It is expected that Bear River will walk away victorious along with the Dinos. This match up will be quite even with Bear River finishing the season with a 18-3 record, quite similar to Carbon’s season record.
“I suspect that Bear River will walk away with the win this weekend. This will be good competition for us in the state tournament,” explained Bean.
The Dinos team this year has a good chance at finishing in the top three at the state championship, if not possibly even clinching the championship and bringing it back to Carbon High. The last time the Dinos captured this honor was in 1997, and supporters and team members alike agree, it is time for the trophy to return to Carbon County.
Dinos prepare for state tournament by hosting the Falcons on Saturday
