Park City’s Brian Schettler and South Summit’s Levi Thompson two of Summit County’s most imposing high school athletes conversed briefly at midcourt before Friday night’s tipoff. They shook hands and went their separate ways.
After that it was all business.
Among a raucous crowd at Park City High, the Miners extended their undefeated streak as they rattled off 27 fourth-quarter points to put away the defending 2A state champion Wildcats, 62-46.
On Monday night in Coalville, Park City ran away from its other county challenger, North Summit, 64-35. Senior Ryan Ryberg had 12 points, all from behind the arc. Jono Schettler pitched in a dozen as well, as the Miners improved to 5-0 on the season.
Park City’s 9-0 run early in the fourth quarter put the Miners up by 15 Friday night against South Summit, and from there the unblemished streak continued for the boys in red.
Schettler shined in the second half, scoring 19 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Juniors Britton Buford (14 points) and Jono Schettler (13 points) helped Park City’s survive a slow start in which the Miners scored just five points in the first quarter against a staunch South Summit defense.
“That is a really special class for South Summit,” said Park City head coach Caleb Fine. “They bring that physicality, and we expected it. They’re good.”
As the game tightened during the second and third quarters, both teams became increasingly resolute. Park City’s second-quarter run got the Miners back into the game as they interrupted South Summit’s passing lanes and began clogging the up the paint.
“We practiced rebounding and physicality,” said bruiser forward Jordan Ruda, who finished with six points and nine rebounds.
Guards Jono Schettler and South Summit’s Parker Anderson mixed it up more than a few times as they went head-to-head on offense and defense. Anderson, who finished with 10 points, four rebounds and three steals, was on the receiving end of a hard foul by Schettler toward the end of the second quarter near the Miners’ student section that ignited both fan bases.
“One concern coming out was, we’ve got to get it going because (South Summit) can beat you,” Fine said.
Park City would eventually get it going as it has throughout this young season.
Brian Schettler’s defensive prowess improved in the second half as the 6-foot-4 senior was disruptive in getting steals and protecting the weak side of the basket.
“Brian was awesome in the second half,” Fine said.
After picking up his third foul late in the third quarter, Schettler started the fourth and by helping ignite the Miners’ 9-0 run that gave them a 44-29. He had help from his brother Jono and the versatile Buford.
“Britton looked good tonight,” Fine said.
The Wildcats’ style of play kept them in the game for three quarters, but it was Park City’s defense that led the way for the offense to break out of its three-quarter-long slumber.
“If we defend and rebound, we’ll win,” Fine said. “Defensive rebounding leads to fast breaks. We’re good when we can do that.”
Wildcat Trevor Rydalch filled up the box score as the athletic guard poured in 13 points to go along with four steals, three rebounds and two assists.
Great teams are able to win games in a variety of ways Park City’s Dec. 7 victory over visiting Bear River was nothing short of dramatic.
Park City outscored the Bears 15-7 in the fourth quarter to force overtime. If that wasn’t theatrical enough, the Miners found themselves down by five points with 15 seconds left in the first overtime.
Senior guard Ryan Ryberg hit several clutch shots to ignite a rally and the Miners won 72-71 in double overtime.
“It was the best moment and worst game I’ve ever coached,” Fine said. “We were horrid, but it was the best moment I’ve ever been a part of as a head coach.”
Looking ahead, Fine said this week has arguably the toughest stretch of games his team will face this season.
After trekking to Morgan tonight to play what Fine expects to be the “toughest game of the year, so far,” Park City will welcome East to its gym Friday. The Leopards are a surprise team in 4A, starting off the season 3-0.
“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Fine said. “If (the team thinks) they’re all that, we’ll lose next week and they’ll learn.”
Grinding through three quarters to defeat a tough defending state champion is a positive sign for a talented Park City team.
“I like playing that way,” said a smiling Ruda.