Skip to main content

Davis Journal

Davis moves to second round in 6A; Bountiful, Viewmont battle for semifinal spot

Mar 04, 2022 12:25PM ● By Catherine Garrett

Davis’ Taylor Leavitt (24) and Kendra Kitchen double-down on Copper Hills’ Ellie Taylor as the Darts defense found their way to a 56-47 win and advanced to the quarter final round of 6A state play. Photo by Roger V. Tuttle

Davis

Fourth-seeded Davis had a first round bye in the 6A state tournament before facing Copper Hills in the second round Feb. 24. The Darts defeated the Grizzlies 56-47, putting up 18 points in the first quarter – to Copper Hills’ four points – and led by eight at halftime with the teams playing evenly in the second half.

“Playing in the state tournament always brings a bunch of excitement and pressure to perform,” said head coach Anne Jones. “We were red hot in the first quarter – with Sierra Passey getting us started with the first eight points of the game, then the very talented Copper Hills team made a run in the second. We were able to hold them off for the third and a close fourth quarter with some tough defense.

Passey ended up with 15 points to lead Davis. Jones also noted Kylee Mabry, who scored 14 points, and Makayla Patterson’s 10 for their play on both sides of the ball.

“Kendra Kitchen held down the middle for us and Taylor Leavitt played some really great defense against their best player,” Jones said. “Morgan Burnett and Kate Richards played some big minutes off the bench.”

The Darts faced Westlake in the second round on March 1 (after our press deadline).

“We are thrilled by heading to the U of U Tuesday and will have to play our very best against a big and talented team,” said Jones. 

Farmington

Farmington defeated West 49-27 in the first round of the 6A state tournament Feb. 22. The Phoenix squad started strong, going up 13-2 early and cruising to the win.

Delaney Baker led the Phoenix with 11 points and seven rebounds. Head coach Van Price also noted the contributions of Whitney Avei who had nine points, four steals and three assists “to help lead us to the win.”

In the second round Feb. 24, Farmington lost to fourth-seeded Riverton 56-42.

The Phoenix squad found themselves down from the get-go and had a 14-point deficit at the break, which ended up being the deciding margin.

“We played very hard and never quit, but we didn’t shoot well enough to win,” said Price. “We struggled from the free throw line as well, making just nine-of-19.”

Baker’s 14 points were tops for Farmington with Talin Stimpson putting in 10 more.

The Phoenix ended the season with an 11-11 mark.

“I loved coaching this team,” Price said. “They worked so hard and gave everything they had. I thought they did well for a team that only had one returning experienced player from last year – it definitely wasn’t easy replacing six seniors from a year ago, four of which were starters and then filling in with new players that didn’t have any varsity experience. I’ll miss those that graduate this year, but hopefully we can build on what we accomplished this year and be that much better next year.”

Bountiful

Bountiful defeated Provo 44-25 in the first round of the 5A state tournament Feb. 22. The Redhawks turned a 7-5 advantage after the first quarter into an 11-point halftime lead and then poured it on in the second half.

Lizzy McConkie scored 12 points to lead the way with Tayler and Jordyn Harvey adding seven points each.

In the second round against Box Elder Feb. 24, Bountiful won 62-39. The Redhawks came out strong, going up 30-11 at the break and scoring 23 points in the third quarter to put the game even more out of reach.

Tayler Harvey hit four 3-pointers on her way to 18 points with Claire Cook and Jordyn Harvey scoring 13 and 11 points, respectively.

Second-seeded Bountiful faced 10th-seeded Viewmont Feb. 28 in the quarterfinals. (after press deadline)

Viewmont

Viewmont defeated Brighton 65-46 in the first round of the 5A state playoffs Feb. 22. The Vikings went up 32-16 in the first half and continued the strong offense with 36 more points the rest of the way. 

“We won by playing great defense,” said head coach Roger Farnsworth.

Three players scored in double figures for Viewmont, led by Grace MacKay with 21 points, Kristina Gunnell with 14 and Emma Mulitalo with 10.

Against Skyline Feb. 24, the Vikings won 57-41. They were down 12-5 early before outscoring the Eagles 34 to 12 over the next two quarters to pull away.

“We played great defense,” Farnsworth said. “I’m so proud of how hard we work every day.”

Gunnell led the way with 19 points while Kalee Smith added 14 and Mulitalo 10.

Viewmont meets Bountiful for the third time this season on Feb. 28 for a chance to go to the semifinal round. (after press deadline)

Woods Cross

Woods Cross beat Cottonwood 40-29 in the first round of the 5A state tournament  Feb. 22. The Wildcats blanked the Colts in the first quarter – while going up nine – and continued to pull away in the win.

“We played a really good defensive game, especially in the first half,” said head coach David Simon. “They made a couple of adjustments and some of their other girls stepped up to help. They have a couple really good players that we put a focus on and we executed our plan about as well as we could have.”

Georgia Hatton led Woods Cross with 14 points while Sofia Mokofisi nearly recorded a double-double with 9 points and 10 rebounds.

“I was really proud of the girls and the effort they put in to playing their roles for this game,” Simon said. “Credit to our whole team with their effort defensively because it was a team effort to do what we did.”

Against top-seeded Lehi in the second round Feb. 24, the Wildcats lost 47-30. Woods Cross managed just six points in the first half and were down by 19 before outscoring the Pioneers 24 to 22 to end the game.

“I was really proud of our team and the way they competed the entire game,” said Simon. “We got off to slow start, which is tough when you are playing the number one team in the state. They are a really good team. Our girls came out in the second half and gave us a chance to get back into the game. We defended hard and started making a few shots to cut into the lead, but in the end it wasn’t enough.”

Hatton was the top scorer for the Wildcats with nine points.

The Wildcats ended their year with a 13-10 record.

“It was a great season with a bunch of great girls that played well together and did everything we asked them to do.”λ