Girls’ teams looking to improve on last season
Matt Harris
Staff writer
11-24-2016
The ladies are back in town, and they’re ready to do some damage.
In girls’ basketball, Sanpete teams couldn’t make so much a ripple in the playoff picture last season. As we preview the upcoming, we look at what could change.
Gunnison
It’s a shuddering reality to understand that last season was actually an improvement for the Lady Bulldogs. Gunnison’s 2-win season was a continuation of a streak of haplessness after a one-win season in 2014.
However, with three returning seniors, there is reason for hope. Kennady Jensen, Kemree Christiansen, and Belle Blackburn combined to average 24.8 points per game for Gunnison, led by Christiansen at 9.4 points per game. After that, the experience tapers off to a large group of freshmen and sophomores.
The Lady Bulldogs began their season at home against Summit Academy on Tuesday (game played after press time) before traveling to Wasatch Academy next Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Manti
Manti is “expecting big things” from their starting five, head coach Roger Watson says.
The Lady Templars made things happen midway through last season after a rough 1-5 start, winning six of eight in the month of January. That was all there really was, though, as Manti finished the season at 9-13.
Lessons learned, Manti is looking for consistency in the coming season. “We’re looking for everyone to step up,” Watson says. The Lady Templars lost several players to graduation, including Mikaela Cox, who now plays for the Snow College soccer team. However, they return three seniors, McKenzie Wade, McKenzie Cox, and Jamie Bawden, along with a handful of juniors and sophomores.
Manti’s season began at home on Tuesday against Uintah (game played after press time). They host Maeser Prep next Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m.
North Sanpete
After a dismal 7-15 campaign derailed a two-year run of success, the Lady Hawks are looking to get back on track.
In 2013-14, North Sanpete posted an impressive 15-7 season. That followed a brilliant 19-4 season in 2012-13.
Graduation proved to be a harsh bite for the Lady Hawks, who only had one senior last year.
This season, senior Angela Clayton returns for the final time, already warmed up from a soccer campaign that saw her named to the All-3A Second Team. Clayton averaged 12 points per game as junior and has been on an upward trajectory ever since her freshman year.
North Sanpete began its season at home Tuesday against 4A Lehi (game played after press time). Following that, they have a two-game road trip against Millard and Morgan before they return home for a rivalry game against Manti on Friday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m.
Wasatch Academy
The Lady Tigers turned heads last year. Can they do it again?
Last year marked the first time in a long time that Wasatch Academy had a winning season, ending with a 10-5 mark. However impressive, it amounted to naught when it mattered, and the Lady Tigers bowed out of the playoffs with a first-round loss to Enterprise.
Wasatch Academy began their season at home with an in-county match against Gunnison on Tuesday at 6 p.m. (game to be played after press time).
