Rigby at Highland: Takeaways from a 3 OT Game

<p>From the opening tip this game had a feel like it was going to be a battle the whole night. Rigby likes to run its offense through 6'6" <strong>Tonoa Togiai (2020)</strong> who ended the night with 23 points to lead all scorers. Highland countered Rigby's size with its speed and quickness to get up and down the court and score on transition. This game was close from the beginning and neither team got ahead by more than 5 points all night. With 35 seconds left in regulation Rigby was ahead 44-42 and had the ball. Highland was able to get a steal and with 11.5 seconds remaining Highlands <strong>Jadon Whitworth (2019)</strong> hit a shot at the elbow to tie the game at 44-44. Rigby had an opportunity to win as time expired but missed a layup and put back. </p> <p>The first overtime began with Rigby's <strong>Britton Berrett (2020)</strong> hitting a 3 from the baseline. Highland answered by scoring 7 straight points including a three point shot by <strong>Andrew VanSickle (2019)</strong> with 1:42 left to give Highland a 49-47 lead. With 47 seconds left Rigby's<strong> Wyatt Taylor (2019)</strong> hit a layup to tie the game at 49-49. Highland missed a shot in the closing seconds to take us to the second overtime.</p> <p>In overtime 2 most of the scoring for both teams came from foul shots until the end of overtime. With 20 seconds left in the game Highland was ahead 56-51 when <strong>Wyatt Taylor (2019)</strong> hit a 3 point shot to pull Rigby to within 2. On the next possession Highlands <strong>Jadon Whitworth (2019)</strong> was fouled and went to the line to shoot 2 free throws. He made one of them making the score Highland 57 Rigby 54 with 18.6 sec remaining. With time running out Rigby's <strong>Wyatt Taylor (2019)</strong> hit a deep 3 point shot to tie the game at 57-57 with 7.5 seconds to go. This was the second time Taylor hit a shot to extend the game. Highland had a chance to win with 4.7 seconds remaining but missed the shot.</p> <p>In the 3rd overtime, both teams traded scores early and with 1:10 left the score was tied at 61-61. Once again <strong>Wyatt Taylor (2019)</strong> sparked Rigby by driving to the basket and getting an one-handed dunk to give Rigby the lead. Highland missed on their next possession and Rigby scored again to make the score 65-61. In the closing seconds Highlands <strong>Andrew Vansickle (2019)</strong> hit two free throws to pull within 2, but Rigby was able to run out the clock and came away with the win 65-63.</p> <p><strong>Wyatt Taylor (2019) Has ice in his veins</strong></p> <p>Two different times in the game Taylor was able to hit pressure shots as time ran out to keep Rigby in the game. He showed he isn't afraid to have the ball in his hands when the pressure is on. At 6'5" he has great ball handling skills and can score from anywhere on the court. He rebounds well and showed with his one handed dunk that he can elevate to the rim. He ended the night with 15 points.</p> <p><strong>Andrew VanSikle (2019) has a motor that never stops.</strong></p> <p>All night long VanSickle was pushing the ball and pressuring Rigbys guards. When Highland needed a score he would be the one to drive to the basket and draw a foul or score. Vansickle ended the night with 14 points.</p> <p><strong>Tanoa Togiai (2020) Is a force inside.</strong></p> <p>It is no suprise that Rigby likes to run their offense through Togiai. At 6'6" he is a big pressence inside. Togiai was able to score with his back to the basket using spin moves to the base line, or by using an jump hook moving to the inside. He has good hands and is able to run a pick and roll. Highland double teamed him a lot to slow him down but he was able to find the open man and make the pass. He ended the night with 23 points to lead all scorers.</p> <p><strong>Great atmosphere for a conference game </strong></p> <p>Part of what made this game so exciting was the crowd. The gym was close to capacity and the student sections were loud. Highland defiantly had more fans in the gym since it was a home game, but the whole section behind Rigby's bench was full of their fans. Rigby also had a good sized student section to help cheer with all of the cheerleaders they brought. It was just what you hope for in a high school conference game.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p>