Snow Canyon Advances to 4A Semifinals After Comeback Win

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, February 20th 2026 at 23:44 GMT by deseret
      Locales: Utah, UNITED STATES

Snow Canyon's Comeback Win Propels Them to 4A Semifinals: A Look at Resilience and Defensive Adjustments

ST. GEORGE -- The Snow Canyon Thunderbirds are heading to the 4A semifinals after a hard-fought 67-59 victory over the Ridgeline Riverhawks Friday night. The win wasn't easy, requiring a significant second-half turnaround after falling behind early. This victory is a testament to Snow Canyon's resilience, tactical adjustments, and unwavering team effort, and sets the stage for a challenging semifinal matchup against Olympus.

The game at a glance revealed a tale of two halves. Ridgeline seized control of the first half, spearheaded by an impressive offensive performance from Kade Porter, who finished with a game-high 24 points. The Riverhawks' quick start saw them lead 18-13 after the first quarter and extend that advantage to 34-25 by halftime. Porter's scoring prowess proved difficult for Snow Canyon to contain initially, as he consistently found ways to penetrate the defense and put points on the board.

However, Snow Canyon wasn't deterred. Recognizing the need for a change, head coach Steve Broadbent implemented a crucial defensive adjustment at the half. The focus shifted to physically challenging Porter, assigning a player to stay tightly with him and disrupt his rhythm. "We knew we had to be physical with him," Broadbent explained. "We just had to get a body on him. We started doing that in the second half and it made a big difference." This tactical shift proved pivotal, slowing down Porter's scoring and allowing Snow Canyon to regain momentum.

The third quarter saw the Thunderbirds begin their climb back into the game. They chipped away at the Ridgeline lead, closing the gap to a mere two points (45-43) heading into the fourth and final quarter. The intensity ratcheted up in the fourth, and Snow Canyon's collective effort began to bear fruit. They seized their first lead of the game with approximately six minutes remaining, fueled by a combination of energized defense and improved offensive execution.

Snow Canyon didn't simply take the lead; they extended it. A strong push in the final minutes saw them build a commanding 58-48 advantage with just three minutes left on the clock. The Riverhawks, despite their earlier dominance, struggled to respond. The Thunderbirds' relentless defense and confident offense proved too much to overcome, ultimately securing the 67-59 victory.

Beyond the final score, the game showcased the balanced scoring attack of Snow Canyon. Dallin Anderson led the team with 18 points, followed by Conner Vasek with 15, and Parker Mortensen contributing 10. Jaxon Jensen added 9, while Will Johnstun and Hunter Moore each chipped in with 7 and 4 points respectively. Taylor Kofford also added 4 points. This demonstrates a team that doesn't rely on a single player but instead leverages the strengths of multiple contributors.

The loss marks the end of the season for Ridgeline, finishing with a record of 12-10. Austin Larsen was the second highest scorer for the Riverhawks, with 12 points. Jaxson Allen and Cameron Christensen both contributed 8 and 6 points respectively. Despite a strong performance from Porter, the Riverhawks couldn't sustain their initial momentum against Snow Canyon's determined comeback.

Looking ahead, Snow Canyon (16-5) faces a tough challenge in the semifinals against Olympus. This matchup will likely require another strong defensive showing and continued balanced scoring. The Thunderbirds will need to maintain their composure and resilience to advance to the championship game. The semifinal game will be a true test of Snow Canyon's ability to translate their comeback energy into consistent performance against a skilled opponent. Their ability to adjust, execute, and play as a cohesive unit will be crucial to their success. This win demonstrates that Snow Canyon isn't just a team with talent, but one with the grit and determination to compete for a state championship.