Tears of a Lion

  The Region 8 championship basketball game was held Wednesday, February 24 at Salem Hills High School, the Payson Lions played Salem Hills High School, in the end the Skyhawks were flying high as a kite, the ending score was Payson 43, Salem 45.             The game started off well for the Skyhawks when they got the tip, the Skyhawks then took the lead for the 1st and 2nd quarter. The Skyhawks played hard all game, London Simmonsen in particular. He shot a lot of mid-range jump shots landing most of them.             The game began to get intense in the 3rd quarter when the Skyhawks lost the lead, it then went basket for basket for the 3rd and 4th quarter. The Lions then pulled ahead of the Skyhawks to take a 3 point lead. But the Skyhawks would not be denied as they made a come back, Jake Skinner making a free throw to assure the Skyhawks victory. When asked how it feels to be a region champ, Skyhawks center Jordan Robles said, “Amazing! Best feeling in the world.” After the game Coach Jimmy DeGraffenried was asked if he felt his team deserved it.               “Yes they do, they have worked hard in practice all year, and have prepared for this game. They knew it was going to be a battle and they came out fighting.”               The Skyhawks did an excellent job congratulations to the Skyhawks on there 2nd region championship in a row.