MANTI—Coach Brennon Schweikart set the tone early for the Manti girls’ basketball team, saying that he ran players harder at tryouts than ever before.
There’s a lot to be excited about regarding the Lady Templars, who are returning a plethora of talent, including three starters.
Schweikart’s program, now in its fourth year and putting out its first senior class, looks like a dark-horse contender for the 3A championship in 2022.
“Being able to challenge them on day one shows where the program’s at,” Schweikart said. “That group of freshmen when we got here, they’re seniors now. It’s a big deal.”
Four seniors are returning this year. They are Tiffany Hermansen, Breanne Wayman, Riley Jarvis, and Sharlie Alder. Alder, Hermansen, and Wayman will be in the starting lineup alongside junior stars Heidi Jorgensen and Charlee Mandel.
Manti graduated five seniors last year, including starter Kassidy Alder, who went on to play college basketball, and Katie Larsen, who now plays soccer at Snow College.
Manti finished 13-7 overall last season, doing most of its damage in region play as they finished with a 10-2 record in Region 14.
Unfortunately, their playoff seed was somewhat an unlucky draw as they were ousted in the first round by Morgan, the eventual surprise 3A champions.
The Lady Templars non-region schedule will be a gauntlet this year as they start out with Grantsville in their season opener this Tuesday. The Cowgirls had 22 wins last season and were third in state. Manti will also face Emery, Layton Christian and Real Salt Lake Academy before region play begins.
The Lady Templars will also be in the Central Utah Girls’ Preview with games against South Sevier and Canyon View.
