WOODS CROSS — Ryan Anderson isn’t the kind of kid who backs down from a challenge or some great drama. So it made sense that the Woods Cross player had the ball in his hands with time winding down and his team trailing by two points in front of a frenzied packed house Friday night.

Anderson let the shot fly from the three point line. A two-point shot to tie the game or a three pointer to win. Anderson rolled the dice and just like that the ball sailed through the basket giving Woods Cross a 51-50 win over Bountiful.

“Ryan hit that shot, and it was a big one,” said Woods Cross coach Todd Street. “Wow. It was a big shot.”

The game wasn’t over, though, as the remaining 10 seconds saw a steal by Woods Cross’ Steven Sperry which was followed by a steal by Bountiful’s Nick Williams. Williams had the presence of mind to put up a desperation shot as time was running out but the shot fell just short.

In the end, Woods Cross did what no other Region 6 team has done all season in beating its rival from up on the hill.

“This is a great win for us,” Street said. “It was a great environment for high school basketball. Loud, just wild.”

Woods Cross came out of the locker room swinging and took a 21-16 lead into the halftime break.

In the third quarter, it was Bountiful countering as LaSalle McKay went off hitting four three pointers as the Braves outscored the Cats 23-15 in that stanza.

“LaSalle just went wild in that third quarter and was hitting everything,” Street said.

For Woods Cross, the counter came from the return of big man Austin Bankowski.

“When things were getting out of control, Austin stepped it up for us and made plays on four straight possessions,” Street said. “Austin has been out with his injured foot and tried so hard in the first Bountiful game so it was great to see him come up big when we needed him.

“I am real happy for him.”

Bankowski’s presence was surely noted as he finished the game with 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Mark Evans continued to be a beast of a player for the Wildcats as he finished Friday night with 18 points, eight rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Anderson, who gave the Cats the late lead had 14 points, four rebounds and four assists.

The Braves were led by LaSalle’s 21 points, including five three-point shots. Dan Prawitt poured in 12 for Bountiful.

“You have to give credit to Woods Cross,” said Bountiful coach Mike Maxwell. “They came out after us, and then when we made that run they responded.”

The Braves remain in control of Region 6 while Woods Cross is also in position to earn a state playoff spot.

sschulte@davisclipper.com