Welcome to UtahSportsAction.comUtah's source for high school sports SCORES - STATS - NEWS

OREM, UT—It was speed meets size as defensive juggernauts met for the State boys 3A title, with the Wasatch Wasps, cleaning house against the Judge Memorial Bulldogs 45 to 24.

This was not the first time these teams had met in the championship game. They had met two other times with the championship series tied at 1-1, now the Wasps have the upper hand with a 2-1 lead in that series.

Players Mike Brown, Jake Hobbs and Alex Probst knew what they needed to do in this game. They had to stick to what they knew best and that was defense.“I have been to the big game before,” said Brown. “This is going to be tough; we can’t be worried about what to do we just have to do it.” “We have to do all the little things and we will win this game,” said Probst.

The game started off on a hot note for the Wasps with Brown draining an easy three in opening seconds. This came as a result of a forced turnover from Hobbs who quickly delivered the ball up court.

Probst also in the early mix took a hard charge from the Bulldogs quickly returned to his feet.
Hobbs snagged rebounds out of mid-air with Brown holding his ground taking several charging fouls. Defense for the Wasp played at the top of their game. The offense for the Wasps also attacked in frenzy using their speed to set the pace for the game.

The Bulldogs came at the Wasps with Will Whitt, a center at 6’10’’, but the speedy Wasp defense smothered him and kept him out of the game for the most part. Wasp players played as an iron curtain which kept the Bulldogs scoreless for 12 minutes.

Early in the game coach Norm Hayter subbed quick and kept throwing quick fresh legs at the Bulldogsas he used a passing attack that kept the Bulldogs guessing. The Wasps were able to pull away early with a 23-8 lead at half-time.

At halftime fans Joe Horner, Matt Rogers, and Michael Hill, were already celebrating with their hands in a "W" in the stands. “Our defense is doing its thing and we have a nice lead now,” said Rogers.

Starting the second half the Wasps picked right up where they left off and continued to force turnovers and snag rebounds on the defensive end.

Fouls came a plenty as the rivalry between these two teams heated up in the third quarter. At that moment the Bulldogs sparked and fought for their state title lives. Pushing for a much needed comeback, yet the closest they got was within ten in the third quarter. With 3:53 left in the game the Wasps regained their fire and it would not be put out.
The Wasps fans started cheering and shouting giving life to their team.

“We can’t hear you,” cheered Wasp fans as the Bulldogs bleachers sat quietly. Later came, “This is our house.”
With 45 seconds left and the score 38-23 coach Hayter pulled his starters and had his bench get some playing time in the championship game.

The Wasp bench held the Bulldogs to just one free throw as time expired. The Wasp walked out with the title in hand with a 45 to 24 beating of the Bulldogs. “I told you before the game that defense would win this,” said Hobbs.

Hobbs played through the game with a hurt thumb that he injured in the semi-finals against Grantsville.

“We did it,” said Probst.

The Wasps have now been to the championship game five of the last eight years.