Hansen’s heroics help Panther boys edge Spring Mountain

With no time on the clock in a tied game, Chase Hansen stepped to the free-throw line staring at more than the hoop Tuesday night.

The senior guard not only had a chance to clinch a win for Pahranagat Valley’s boys basketball team over Spring Mountain, but sole possession of first place in the Class 1A Southern League.

Hansen missed his first attempt, and was still scoreless in the game.

Then, swish.

Hansen was fouled attempting a pull-up jumper from the top of the key as time expired in regulation, and his second foul shot with no time left proved the difference in the Panthers’ 45-44 victory at Saville Middle School.

“I was able to calm down and sink that one. I wish I hit the first one,” Hansen said. “Coaches stress free throws and the importance of them, and I was able to hit one. I was blessed to be in that situation.

“I didn’t have any points the whole game, but for some reason that was saved for the end. I’ve got to thank my teammates for getting us there.”

Hansen pushed Pahranagat Valley (13-8, 5-0) to a lone spot atop the league as the playoffs near. The Panthers haven’t lost a league game since the 2009-10 season.

“There’s a couple kids we want on the line, and he’s one of them,” Panthers coach Brian Higbee said of Hansen. “I was happy he was there. The kids are mentally tough. He was going to hit one of those, and that’s what we needed.”

Junior guard Tyler Higbee finished with a game-high 26 points, and Pahranagat Valley erased a 42-36 deficit in the final two minutes.

Spring Mountain’s Roemello Brandon hit a pair of free throws with 1:36 left to give the Eagles (18-6, 6-1) a 44-39 lead, but a Derek Hansen layup on the other end cut the lead to 44-41.

Spring Mountain turned the ball over on its next possession, and a long 3-pointer from the right wing by Tyler Higbee with less than a minute remaining pulled the Panthers into a 44-44 tie.

“Tyler had a heck of a game,” Chase Hansen said of Tyler Higbee, who hit six 3-pointers. “That kid is just amazing, and I’m so blessed to have him on my team.”

Spring Mountain committed three turnovers in the final 1:15.

Pahranagat Valley has won the past two 1A state titles, while some of Spring Mountain’s players are playing in a team setting for the first time.

“Inexperience catches up with you sooner or later, and that’s what happened,” Eagles coach Ed Cheltenham said. “We threw the ball away when we should have held it. We’ve got to correct those mistakes.”

Derek Hansen had nine points and seven rebounds for Pahranagat Valley, and Austin Poulsen supplied five points, six rebounds and four steals.

Tyrice Hall had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Spring Mountain, which got nine points from Marquion White and eight points and 13 rebounds from Brandon.

Brian Higbee wasn’t thrilled with his team’s struggles shooting, but was pleased to win on the road to take the lead in the playoff race.

“In the scheme of things, it was a big win for us to battle back like that,” Brian Higbee said. “That’s what they do.”