Here’s a recap of Wednesday’s 4A quarterfinals at Weber State, where No. 3 Pine View advanced. This story will be updated.
Pine View’s Ella Fifia (right) blocks Mountain Crest’s Oakley Brown’s shot during the quarterfinals of the 4A girls basketball state tournament Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at the Dee Events Center in Ogden. Fifia stole the ball, broke through with the ball and scored. |Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Pine View’s Ella Fiefia (left), Kenedy Eves and Reese Gustin celebrate a win over Mountain Crest in the quarterfinals of the 4A girls basketball state tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at the Dee Events Center in Ogden. Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Pine View’s Kalea Schlenker (right) is fouled by Mountain Crest’s Tara Niemann during the quarterfinals of the 4A girls basketball state tournament Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at the Dee Events Center in Ogden. Laura Seitz, Deseret News
Pine View 38, Peak 26
Neither Pine View nor Mountain Crest had it easy on offense in Wednesday’s 4A quarterfinals. Both teams shot less than 36%, and the quarterfinals quickly turned into a tough battle.
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In the end, No. 3 Pineview won 38-26 to advance.
It certainly wasn’t a pretty win for the Panthers, but their intense game was important. Their defense was dominant, holding the Broncos to just 26 points, including a game-winner in the second quarter.
“This is more than just a win, this is a playoff game,” Pine View head coach Ben Luce said. “I’ve been watching them on tape all week and they’re a solid team. I’ve been worried since Saturday about how we’re going to score against them because they’re going to run man-to-man, zone, full-court press.
“I’m proud that our defense rose to the challenge and we did a great job rebounding and defending. It was a scrimmage.”
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Pine View’s Ella Fiefia led the way in both scoring and rebounding with a 10-point, 12-rebound double-double. Kalea Schlenker also added 10 points.
With the half-court offense a struggle for both teams, a lot will come down to turnovers and second-chance scoring, which is where Pine View’s strength lies.
Fifia and Kennedy Eaves combined for 20 rebounds and Pineview scored 10 second-chance points. It also scored 18 points off turnovers.
“The rebounding and second-chance points were huge,” Luce said.
“We didn’t transition a lot but forced those turnovers and took advantage of them. Those second chance points, I mean (Mountain Crest’s Leighton Pratt) had more offensive rebounds than defensive rebounds and actually averaged a double-double. To be able to match her on the glass and get those second chance points, that’s a lot for Kennedy, Ella and Aniva.”
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At the beginning of the second half, Emerson Brown hit two three-pointers, and the Mountain Crown team gained a little momentum. That didn’t last long, however, as Pine View immediately fell back and regained a double-digit lead. Brown scored a team-high 13 points.
The win puts Pine View in the semifinals for the first time since 2021.
“This is a team that hasn’t been to the state tournament,” Luce said. “It’s easy for them to be happy to be here. They’ve adopted this attitude since they earned the right to be here, they belong here and they’re as good as anyone else.
