Maybe school coming back into session was all they needed.
Whatever it was, the Park City High School boys’ basketball team is rolling once again, earning one of its most impressive wins of the 2010-11 season with a 47-45 road victory over 5A Riverton Saturday night.
“They’re tough,” said head coach Caleb Fine of his 9-3 Miners.
Park City earned its fourth-straight win against one of the state’s better 5A teams in the Silverwolves.
Junior point guard Heath Vincent had his best game of the year with a stat line Andrei Kirilenko would envy: 13 points, five rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks. Not to mention the game-winning fade-away jumper with two seconds left.
“There was only one shot he forced all night and it was that game-winner,” Fine said.
The Miners were forced to come from nine points behind late in the third quarter and outscored Riverton 19-12 in the fourth to seal the victory.
Jordan Ruda and Jono Schettler each pitched in eight points, while Andrew Neuenschwander and Britton Buford contributed seven points each.
Senior captain Brian Schettler had a rough night from the field, scoring only three points, but was able to pull down eight rebounds to go along with his four steals, three assists and two blocks.
Fine said Brian Schettler was “a man among boys” in the win.
Park City’s big win did not come without some anxious moments.
Jono Schettler, a junior, hurt his hip and Fine said the team’s leading scorer at 14 points a game is day-to-day after getting the hip checked out.
“If he’s able to put some weight on it, he’ll play, but right now, he’s just not there yet,” Fine said.
The coach blamed himself for the team’s struggle offensively said the Miners weren’t prepared for the type of defensive pressure. The Silverwolves brought, but ultimately said it will only help his team and staff going forward.
“It was one of those games where we hung around and were able to get the win,” he said. “It’ll be good for us in the long run.”
The Miners are off until Friday’s Region 10 opener at home against the 2-7 Union Cougars. Game time is 7 p.m. at PCHS.
“We’re doing a good job of buying into winning,” Fine said. “It’s innate with this team. They’re tough, they’re fighters. We will compete and we expect to do well.
“But they understand the expectations. We’re not invincible. They have swagger and that’s good.”