With plenty of time to go, a pair of Davis County high school boys basketball teams are within striking distance of being on top of their respective regions. 

Woods Cross, in Region 5, and Farmington, in Region 1, aren’t far behind the league leaders. 

Woods Cross

The Wildcats were 3-1 in Region 5 as this week began, half a game behind the top team, Bonneville. Overall, Woods Cross was 10-6. Woods Cross suffered its lone region loss of the season in a game last week at Viewmont, falling 56-51 on Jan. 26. However, the Wildcats bounced back two nights later with a key win over Bonneville, handing the Lakers their only region loss so far, 56-48.

In the win over Bonneville, Woods Cross used a strong defense and allowed just three points in the first quarter. A rough second quarter saw Bonneville outscore Woods Cross 21-13 and go up 24-20 at halftime. But a 36-24 second half helped the Wildcats pull away. Mason Bendinger led the team with 24 points. Zach Delange had 15 points. 

Woods Cross played at Box Elder on Tuesday, after our press deadline. The Wildcats turn around and host the Bees on Friday for rare back-to-back games. 

Farmington

It’s not easy playing in a region with defending Class 6A champion Davis, but the Phoenix are holding their own. At press time, the 9-8 Farmington squad was 4-3 in Region 1, two games in back of Davis. 

Last week, Farmington was 1-1. The team defeated Clearfield 59-42 on Jan. 25. The Phoenix had built a 48-26 lead entering the fourth quarter in a game that saw Collin Chandler net 23 points. Teammate Paul Beattie had 13 of his own. Impressively, Farmington made all but one of its 19 free throws. 

On Jan. 28, Farmington fell to Fremont 55-53 despite a valiant comeback effort in the fourth quarter. Farmington was down 47-35 after three quarters but then went on an 18-8 run in the final six minutes. The rally fell just short, but not without a great showing from Chandler. The senior star had 29 points, including a trio of three-pointers. 

Farmington had a big chance to make some noise this week when it hosted Davis on Tuesday, after our press deadline. It is the only game the team plays this week. Next up is a game at home against Layton on Feb. 8.

Davis 

All good things must come to an end. 

Davis’ 34-game winning streak ended on a last-second bucket by Fremont on Jan. 25. It was the culmination of Fremont’s 11-5 fourth quarter in a 50-48 victory. But Davis rebounded and started a new winning streak on Jan. 28 with a 60-52 win over Layton. The win improved the Darts to 17-1 overall and 6-1 in Region 1 where they are still in first place. Against Layton, Davis withstood a late charge and got 26 points from Rex Sunderland and 22 points from Colby Sims. Sunderland also had seven rebounds and six steals. Davis shot just 18 of 44 from the field but made 12 more free throws than the Lancers. 

After Davis’ game with Farmington, the Darts play at Weber on Friday.